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authorities perceive this as a threat. Many leaders were asked to stop
the meeting of villagers, which may be considered a disobedience act
to the NCPO’s order. The villagers became more frightened.
Namoon-Doonsad village is one of the areas affected by big
projects, but has been totally ignored. Villagers are concerned whether
the Gas Separation Plant will have an impact on their rice fields and
farmlands. Even though there is a communication process, which allows
the villagers to voice their opinions but it does not provide enough
information, so the villagers are not able to openly express their ideas.
“Many people do not understand what the development project is all
about. They claimed that it is only an exploration process but in reality,
there is a plan to start the construction and prepare for Environment
Impact Assessment (EIA). There will be gas separation plants and gas
pipelines, not only drilling. Therefore, villagers filed a petition and
started to mobilize themselves to delay the granting of the license.”
From the “New E-saan Movement”, a group of young people
and villagers who fight to protect their natural resources, Natta-
pond observed a structural problem of those in power who make
policy decision but never listen to the villagers’ voice. Walk for Rights
activity was developed to raise the issue, defend community rights,
and seriously discuss about the possible solutions.
Walk for Rights attracted attention from government officers,
Nattapond and the villagers were prohibited from talking about
community rights, civil and political rights, and economic, social and
cultural rights. All these rights are interlinked. Since the Walks for
Rights on 16 June 2016, the leader and the activist of Kog Yao village,
Tung Lui Lai, Sub-district, Kon Sarn District, Chaiyaphum Province, Den
Khamlae has been missing.
E-san region encounters many problems, including the impacts
of mining and petroleum, as well as the issue of water management.
Nattapond realized that the current human rights situation in
our country is very much one where “villagers are active because they

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