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experienced the problems directly. Ordinary people are rising up and
claiming their rights to point out the injustice where political space is
very limited.”
“When there is no mechanism for change or reducing resistance
and the powerful decision makers refuse to listen to the people, the
risk of human rights violations is increased. During the referendum, I
was prosecuted and I knew what my rights were. This did not prevent
the government from going after me. If I were a villager, they would
have acting well beyond the limits of law without any protection.
As a small woman who has to fight big problems, challenge
the power of tgovernment and capitalists, Nattapond thought that
being a woman has pros and cons. It can help reduce violence during
the confrontation and negotiation. Women are also determined and
tolerant. “The disadvantage of being a woman is that people labeled
me as a young woman. It takes time and energy to gain trust. I have
to deal with judgments and prejudice. I have to prove myself that I
am sincere and serious on this. I am not a passerby.”
Currently, Nattapond does not only work at a local level. She
reflects the problem of villagers through the use of national and
international activities to create changes to the policy. She has been
using a different approach from confrontational to reflection through
international mechanisms such as the participation in making the
United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR), which is a report to
the United Nations.
She also supports the national implementation plan for “business
and human rights” together with Rights and Liberties Protection
Department, Ministry of Justice. This relates to large companies
that affect community rights, environment, and public health.
Even though today Nattapond is being prosecuted and sued,
she never feels tired. She is willing to support E-san people in
protecting their economic, social, cultural rights, as well as civil and
political rights.

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