The military summoned Loei anti-mine village activists about links with five anti-junta Khon Kaen student activists arrested early this week while some soldiers allegedly plan to enter the conflicted mining areas to transport the ore deposits.

Khon Rak Baan Koed Group, (KRBK), (People Who Love Their Homeland), a group of anti-mine activists from six villages of Wang Saphung District of the northeastern province of Loei, reported on Saturday evening that they received phone call from the military, summoning them to come to discuss about KRBK’s links with the student activists from Dao Din group and mining issues.

The phone call from the military came two days after the group posted pictures on Facebook on Thursday to support five the student activists who were arrested for waving three-fingers salute at Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the junta leader, on Wednesday.

The KRBK’s placards read, “We encourage Dao Din, from People Who Love Their Homeland” and “To our children, Dao Din, findings the trace of Democracy, we stand with you”.

KRBK members taking picture on Thursday with the placard reads, "To our children, Dao Din, findings the trace of Democracy, we stand with you", to support five Khon Kaen student activists arrested

According to the statement of the KRBK drafted on Saturday evening in response to the military’s request, the group pointed out during the past seven years that Dao Din has been active in assisting the villagers to study and address environmental problems allegedly created by mining activities in the area. The KRBK called Dao Din “children of KRBK” in the statement.

The group also added in the statement that they know how it feels to be suppressed by the military because before 30 September the military maintains tight control in the villages, claiming that they wanted to maintain law and order and sort out the mining conflict. However, four committees previously established by the junta to solve the problem did not truly listen to the villagers while prohibiting the KRBK not to make any move.

The KRBK further stated that there is another military unit which will enter the village to inspect and possibly transport the ore deposits out of the village.

The embattled six villages of Wang Saphung in Leoi have been affected by numerous environmental problems allegedly caused by the mining activities for the last 12 years. Since the May coup d’état, the military intervened and attempted unsuccessfully to solve the conflict between the villagers, who have blocked the access to the mines, and Tungkam Co. Ltd., a mining operator. However, the military is now trying the pass the bill, which will make it easier for mining operators to get mining concessions from the state.

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