The Tobacco Union of Chiang Rai province opposes using planting areas as a special economic zone.
Members of Tobacco Union of Chiang Rai met Chiang Rai Governor opposing the use of tobacco plantation areas of more than 840 Rais as Mae Sai Special Economic Zone. They disclosed that the government will lose the best source of tobacco production in Thailand, as well as losing the revenue of over 60 billion Baht.
On July 26, 2016, Mr. Kanut Ritthisorn, President of the Tobacco Union led over 150 tobacco farmers from Pong Pha sub-district in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai province marching against the Special Economic Development Zone Policy Committee and Chiang Rai province on the use a total area of 870 Rais of tobacco fields in Pong Pha sub-district in Mae Sai district to be developed as a special economic zone. This will create negative impacts particularly changing livelihoods of tobacco farmers, who are members of the Tobacco Union of Chiang Rai.
