It wants a halt to cadmium mining by Padaeng Industry Plc until the firm repairs the local environment. After visiting villages near Huay Mae Tao creek, HRC chairman Saneh Chammarik said the company should also be made to pay for check-ups and treatment for about 3,000 villagers made sick by the contamination.

The Department of Primary Industries and Mines, under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, should also be held responsible for allowing Padaeng to operate without a mandatory study on environmental impact, he said.

Saneh said the highest cadmium levels found in several villages and samples taken from the creek were 82-326 milligrams per kilogram, while the international safety level was 3.5. The average level detected was 44-63, way over safe levels. 

Constitution court

TRT gets 30 more days for defence

The Constitution Court yesterday gave the Thai Rak Thai Party 30 more days to present defence evidence in a legal action seeking to dissolve the party for bankrolling small parties in the April 2 poll. The party can submit explanations and evidence to defend itself against the accusation until August 30, Constitution Court secretary-general Paiboon Warahapaiboon said.

Thai Rak Thai requested more time on the grounds that it has not been given a chance to provide the evidence to the Election Commission and there are a number of witnesses involved.

Meanwhile, the Democrat Party is also seeking more time from the Constitution Court to prepare evidence defending itself against similar electoral fraud charges.

Sex harassment claim

Sa Kaew school boss shifted

A school director who allegedly sexually harassed a female Channel 11 news reporter at a party last Friday has been transferred, pending an investigation. The transfer order for Pathom Mangkhang, a Ta Phraya school boss , was issued yesterday. Five witnesses, including three officials, gave the same account as the plaintiff that Pathom threatened and harassed her.