Largest Thai Environment Protest Since Military Rule Started

More than 1,000 people demonstrated in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand to protest against the building of a government luxury housing project on forested land. This is one of the largest protests during the nearly four years of military rule.
The police estimated over a thousand people took part in the protest, which they said proceeded in an orderly fashion. “Around 1,250 people took part in the protest,” said Col Paisan, deputy commander of Chiang Mai police.
“The protesters were focused on environmental issues and not politics, and they cleaned the street afterwards,” Paisan said. He said the organisers made a proper request for the gathering beforehand and so the protest was allowed to proceed.
Protesters, many wearing green ribbons, demanded the government demolish the new buildings, said the military government must comply in seven days or face more protests.
Thailand’s military seized power following a 2014 coup and the ruling generals imposed a ban on public gatherings of more than five people. The restrictions have largely curbed freedom of expression in the Southeast Asian nation.
Images of the housing project for judges, circulated on social media over the past few months, showed construction has carved into the forested foothills of Chiang Mai’s popular Doi Suthep mountain, inciting public anger.
Public officials have defended the project, pointing out construction was legal and on state-owned land that does not encroach into the national park covering the mountain.
Officials also said “protesters could face legal action if the housing was demolished and that the homes should be used for 10 years before the public could reassess any environmental impact”.
>Juthy Saha