The intersectional, feminist Manushya Foundation is providing litigation support and communication organization to members of the Phichit community in Thailand who have been affected by the Chatree Gold Mining Complex. The Australian company behind the complex, Kingsgate Consolidated Limited, is exploiting natural resources and polluting the area while pushing reprisals against community members.
Since 2001, villagers in Phichit and Phetchabun provinces in central Thailand have suffered from human rights and environmental adverse impacts caused by the activities of the Chatree gold mine, operated by Akara Resources, the Thai subsidiary of Australian-based Kingsgate Consolidated Limited. Their right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, right to water, right to land, right to adequate standard of living, right to health, right to information, consultation and public participation and right to effective remedy have been abused. In particular, villagers have suffered contamination of water with heavy metals and health impacts. Villagers have also faced SLAPP lawsuits and threats from both the company and authorities. In 2016, villagers filed a class action lawsuit against Akara Resources. Later that year, Thai authorities ordered the suspension of the mine’s operations. The parent company then initiated in 2017 proceedings against Thailand under the Australia-Thailand Free Trade Agreement. These proceedings led Thai authorities to grant the reopening of the mine which resumed activities in March 2023 as well as new prospecting licenses while harms caused prior to the suspension have not been remediated.
Despite repeated delays, intimidation, and attempts to pressure claimants to withdraw from the class action lawsuit, around 200 villagers persist in their legal battle up to this day — demanding justice, fair compensation, and corporate accountability.