Today, the Rayong Provincial Court ruled that residents of Nong Pawa, a rural community several hours east of Bangkok, receive substantial compensation for the impacts caused by hazardous chemicals which leaked from a nearby recycling company. The chemicals killed acres of rubber trees and poisoned various water sources rendering them unsafe for human consumption.

For over 10 years the community has demanded accountability and in 2021, 15 community members took the issue to court asking for compensation of 47 million baht (1.4 million US dollars). The court ruled in favour of the community and ordered the recycling company to compensate the locals and rehabilitate the affected areas. 

Nong Pawa is one of many communities in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), Thailand’s largest industrial zone, who have been affected by the expansion of the waste industry.

Read about the journey of Nong Pawa community to their victory here.