Details
Chiang Rai Province serves as a model area for studying and developing approaches to enhance access to environmental justice, as it faces environmental challenges on multiple fronts, from water contamination and pollution from mining to recurrent flooding that damages communities and agricultural lands. For instance, in 2024, heavy rainfall in several districts of Chiang Rai caused flash floods, disrupting transportation routes and leaving many residents without clean water for daily use. Moreover, Chiang Rai’s geographic location, sharing borders with Myanmar and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, adds complexity to water resource management, including transboundary impacts and the interdependence between upstream and downstream areas. These challenges highlight structural issues in environmental governance, community preparedness, and coordination between local and central authorities.
In response, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ), and the Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna will jointly organise a workshop on “Citizen Access to Environmental Justice: Chiang Rai Case Study". The workshop aims to increase knowledge, bring about understanding, and enhance capacity among local stakeholders, including government officials, civil society actors, and community representatives, to better grasp legal frameworks and environmental rights. It will also serve as a platform for government officials to hear directly from affected communities and foster dialogue between citizens and policymakers. The expected outcome is the co-creation of practical pathways to improve environmental justice mechanisms, enhance public participation, and promote sustainable and inclusive environmental governance at both local and national levels.
Agenda
09:00-09:30 Registration
09:30-10:00 Opening Remarks
By
- Governor of Chiang Rai Province or Representative
- Chief Executive of Chiang Rai Provincial Administrative Organization
- Representative from KAS: Dr Angelika Klein
- Representative from TIJ
10:00-10:15 Keynote Lecture on “Citizens’ Access to Environmental Justice through the Legislative Process”
10:15-10:30 Coffee Break
10:30-12:00 Panel Discussion “From Global Standards to National Practice: Strengthening Sustainable Environmental Law in Thailand”
Panelists:
- Dr Suntariya Muanpawong, Judge, Court of Appeal
- Mr. Somphop Prathum, Judge, Juvenile and Family Court, Mae Hong Son Province
- Mr. Pakorn Jeenakham (TBC) Spokesperson, House Committee on Land, Natural Resources, and Environment; Member of Parliament, Mae Hong Son Province
- Asst. Prof. Dr Krisdakorn Wongwuthikul, Faculty of Law, Thammasat University
12:00-13:00 Lunch Break
13:00-15:00 Group Discussion Activity "Justice Café: Conversations about the Environment"
This group activity is designed to allow participants to exchange views and collaboratively develop practical approaches to strengthening environmental justice mechanisms, promoting public participation, and advancing sustainable and inclusive environmental safeguard governance.
Participants will be divided into five groups, representing various agencies and stakeholders involved in environmental issues.
Group 1: Chairperson: Representative from the Parliament / Politician in Chiang Rai Province
Mr. Pakorn Jeenakham (TBC)
Spokesperson, House Committee on Land, Natural Resources, and Environment Member of Parliament for Mae Hong Son Province
Group 2: Chairperson: Representative from the Judiciary
Mrs. Patcharapa Intharakamhaeng
Chief Judge of the Primary Court Section, Thoeng Provincial Court
Group 3: Chairperson: Representative from the House of Representatives Chiang Rai Province
Mr. Piyarat Tiyapairat (TBC)
Member of Parliament for Chiang Rai Province
Group 4: Chairperson: Representative from Civil Society Networks
Ms. Sor Rattanamanee Polkla
Committee Member and Executive Coordinator, Community Resource Centre Foundation
Group 5: Chairperson: Representative from Civil Society Networks
Ms. Kusumal Rachawong
Former Project Officer, International labor organization (ILO)
