A landmark win for environmental justice: After more than two decades of struggle, villagers poisoned by toxic waste in Ratchaburi have finally secured compensation—the first time a Thai community has successfully forced a corporate polluter to pay.

Villagers in Ratchaburi province will receive 22 million baht in compensation for health and environmental damage caused by the Wax Garbage Recycle Centre Company, in Thailand’s first-ever environmental class action to secure payment from a corporate polluter.

“This is the first historic case concerning environmental harm,” said Ecological Alert and Recovery — Thailand (Earth) director Penchom Sae-Tang.

The Supreme Court’s August 5 verdict ended a decades-long legal battle by dismissing the company’s final appeal. Authorities were able to confiscate 22 million baht in assets, though the local community had sought 500 million.

“The local community sought 500 million baht, but authorities could seize only 22 million from the company. We hope to secure more if further assets can be confiscated,” Ms Penchom said.

The Legal Execution Department confirmed it will begin distributing the compensation among 661 villagers, based on the severity of health impacts and income loss.

The case traces back to 2001, when Huai Nam Phu’s only groundwater source was contaminated by hazardous waste from the company. Farmland was rendered infertile, and blood tests revealed high levels of heavy metals in residents.

Courts consistently ruled in favour of the villagers, beginning with the Civil Court in 2020, followed by the Appeal Court in 2023, and finally the Supreme Court.

Ms Penchom noted that this is only the beginning, with more than seven other cases still pending against the company. Communities are also considering ways to hold their owners criminally accountable.

“None of the ongoing cases would currently lead to a prison sentence,” she said. “We will work to obtain solid evidence to prove direct wrongdoing.”

Following the ruling, the government allocated 59 million baht to clear hazardous waste stored in the company’s warehouse. Still, over 100,000 tonnes of toxic waste remain buried underground.

“This is the next step in environmental rehabilitation,” Ms Penchom said. “Without tackling the problem at its root, residents will continue to live in a heavy metal-contaminated environment for generations.”

News source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3088540/b22m-win-in-toxic-waste-case