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The only natural waterway at the village has been polluted by lead for more than a decade now.

Judge Paisal Boonkerd saidthat PCD had been negligent in charging the Lead Concentrate Company for polluting the Klity Creek, and had also failed in its duty of protect¬ing natural resources.

Paisal added that PCD had violated the rights of villagers to utilise natural resources and live in a clean environment.

The PCD has been ordered to give the 22 villagers Bt743,226 in compensation within 90 days, or appeal the case within 30 days.

Although pleased with the verdict, one of the 22 plaintiffs, Yaser Nasuansombat, said he was surprised that the judge did not say anything about the treatment of the polluted creek.

"The aim of our case was to restore the creek to its natural state, not to win cash," he said.

Surachai Trongngam, a coor¬dinator of Enlaw, the nonprofit organisation that acted as a legal representative for the villagers, said the verdict was significant because it confirmed the rights of individuals in protecting nat¬ural resources. The case was taken to court in 2004.