Jintana Kaewkao (Thai: จินตนา แก้วขาว; born 1962) is an environmental activist from Thailand. She is known for her activism against the building of power plants in her coastal village Ban Krut, Prachaub Khiri Khan, Thailand.
Jintana Kaewkao | |
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| Born | 1962 Prachaub Khiri Khan, Kingdom of Thailand |
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Early life
editIn 1982, at 20 years old, Kaewkao moved to Ban Krut. She married a local man, opened a small grocery store, and had 3 children. In her earlier years, Kaewkao was not well-known for her activism, but continued to be involved in anti-power plant movements.[1]
Powerplant conflict with Union Power Development Company Ltd
editIn 1998, the Union Power Development Company Ltd. (UPDC) developed a project to build a coal-fired power plant in Ban Krut. This project received funding from foreign investors from the USA, Hong Kong, and Japan. It would allow for the development of a tourist resort in Ban Krut, whilst the company would cut down 10,000 coconut trees and develop a 1.4 GW coal power-plant.[2]
The project was proposed to satisfy Thailand’s increasing energy demands. Analysts have explained that coal has been viewed by the Thai government as a way of creating enough energy for the country, as natural gas on its own has not been enough to keep up with its development.[1]
Local response to power plant
editThe project received a mixed response from villagers. For some, the coal power-plant would lead to an increase in electricity and more jobs for villagers. Kaewkao viewed the plant as a destruction of their environment through harming villagers’ health, marine life, coastal coral, livestock and crops. She expressed concern that the power-plant would also impact the villagers' source of income through fishing.[3]
Kaewkao’s movement
editIn order to fight back against UPDC, Kaewkao went to nearby villages, gathered villagers in markets, and urged them to sign petitions against the development of the power plant.[4] In 1998, she organized a march on the South Highway with the people of Prachaub Khiri Khan. In 2001, she took supporters into UPDC headquarters. She also purchased UPDC’s stocks to voice her opinion as a shareholder.[1]
Kaewkao’s movement blocked the development of the project. In 2004, the construction ceased. Kaewkao and her supporters won the court case against UPDC.[5] Currently, there remains abandoned buildings where the project was to take place. Kaewkao proceeded to negotiate land rights to ensure that Ban Krut would be protected from future power-plant projects.[2]
Government and legal responses
editIn the early 2000s, Kaewkao was taken to court by UPDC for her activism. Upon the Criminal Court dropping the case, UPDC appealed and Kaewkao was sentenced to six months in prison, which was later reduced to four months. In 2005, Kaewkao was convicted by the Supreme Court of Thailand for trespassing on UPDC’s private property.[6] Kaewkao has continued to be imprisoned for her activism against government and corporate executives.[1]
Throughout the years, Kaewkao has also faced physical and life-threatening violence.[7] In 2001, 2002,[8] 2008, and 2009, she was attacked by gunmen in her village.[3] She then sent her children to stay with relatives.[5]
Local and international recognition
editKaewkao’s environmental activism has led to local and international recognition. She is currently the leader of the Natural Preservation Network of Bo Nok and Hin Krut, a community-based environmental justice group,[5] and founder of Ban Krut Conservation Group.[3] She has inspired photographer Luke Duggleby to focus his work on environmentalism.[9] She has also been internationally recognized by Asian Human Rights Commission and Greenpeace.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Schatz, Joseph. "Thai environmentalists pay for activism with their lives". Al Jazeera America. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ a b EJOLT. "Coal power plants in Ban Krut and Bo Nok, Prachuab Khirikhan, Thailand | EJAtlas". Environmental Justice Atlas. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ a b c d Davidson, Leah. "Jintana KaewKao: David Against Goliath – Climate Heroes". Climate Heroes. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ Communities vs. Coal: Strategies and Stories from Thailand, retrieved 2021-10-23
- ^ a b c Geographical. "On the front lines: female activism in Thailand - Geographical Magazine". Geographical. Archived from the original on 2021-12-18. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ The Nation (2011-10-11). "Activist's jail term reduced". The Nation. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ Thomas, Madeleine (2015-04-08). "A Thai activist, reformed investment banker, and feminist beer: It's Woman Crush Wednesday". Grist. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ "Response to Initial Report of THAILAND (CCPR/C/THA/2004/1)" (PDF).
- ^ Tang, Alisa (2017-01-31). "Photographer captures deadly battle for land and environment in Thailand". Reuters. Retrieved 2021-10-23.