“Compensation awarded in Thai gold mine pollution case”, 24 March 2026

The Civil Court has ruled in favour of 382 residents of Phichit and Phetchabun provinces, ordering the operator of the Chatree gold mine operator to pay compensation of up to 200,000 baht per person, and to restore contaminated waterways after finding its operations caused harmful pollution and health impacts.

The environmental class-action lawsuit — the first of its kind in Thailand — was filed against Akara Resources Plc by four representatives on behalf of local residents who said they had suffered for two decades from the effects of the country’s largest gold mine..

The court said the plaintiffs had presented convincing evidence that heavy metals leaked from a tailings pond flowed southward through natural waterways into surrounding plains and canals…

For physical health deterioration, compensation was set at 200,000 baht for those aged 15 and under with excessive heavy-metal levels, and 100,000 baht for those over 15…

The court also ordered the company to stop using one of its tailings ponds due to risks posed to the local community…

A representative from Akara Resources said the company accepted the ruling but was reviewing its legal options.

“There are some legal complexities, and we will consult with our team before taking any further action,” Cherdsak Utha-aroon, a company manager, told AFP…