<p>Environmentalists argue the junta’s forest reclamation policy is prolonging conflict over Thailand’s environment, by failing to balance the protection of Thailand’s forests with the community rights of local dwellers.</p> <p>Lertsak Khamkongsak, the coordinator of the Eco-Culture Study Group, said tension between forestry officials and local residents will only grow stronger if the government continues to abuse its special powers. The current land law, enacted since 1953, does not promote the rights of local people to protect their community and home forests.</p>

<p dir="ltr">After 16 years of struggling for justice, the Supreme Court has ordered the company party responsible for the leak of cobalt-60 radiation to pay slightly more than half a million baht in total to 12 victims seriously affected by the leak.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Civil Court on Ratchadaphisek Road, Bangkok, on Wednesday, 8 June 2016, read the Supreme Court ruling on the case in which 12 people seriously affected by the leak of cobalt-60 radiation sued Kamol Sukosol Electric, a company importing medical equipment.</p>