Thailand has witnessed an increase in rights-based environmental litigation, particularly concerning air pollution and transboundary harm. In the Chiang Mai PM 2.5 case, the court ruled against government inaction on air pollution, though it missed an opportunity to integrate human rights arguments. The Nam Jon Reservoir case set a precedent for corporate accountability, awarding the highest environmental damages in Thai legal history. While Thailand’s legal system provides avenues for environmental justice, such as public interest litigation and administrative court rulings, stronger enforcement mechanisms and greater judicial recognition of human rights in environmental cases are needed.
Case Contributors:
- Krisdakorn Wongwuthikun, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law, Thammasat University
- Thanaporn Techaripitak, Senior Programme Development Officer, TIJ
- Sommanat Juaseekoon, Director of TIJ Academy, TIJ.
Cases:
Case Study - Chiang Mai PM 2.5 Case
Case Study - Nam Jon Reservoir Case
Case Study - The Saga of Win Process Cases
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