National Human Rights Commission-Academics jointly oppose against the use of local world’s wetland to set up as Chiang Rai Special Economic Zone.

Establishment of Chiang Rai Special Economic Zone has been facing a delay. Recently, residents in Boon Ruang sub-district jointly opposed the use of community forest to set up Chiang Rai Special Economic Zone. This is mainly because they fear of possible impacts on the surrounding communities. As a result, the National Human Rights Commission and academics agree that the government should seek alternative areas to replace the local world’s wetland.

Widespread objections to construction of an industrial estate were posted in the area of Boon Ruang sub-district in Chiang Khong district of Chiang Rai province. This occurred after Chiang Rai province planned to acquire 1,000 Rais of local community forest under care of the Department of the Treasury to be developed as a new industrial estate. The villagers are afraid that it will affect local ecological system and community way of life.

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