Korat Protesters Join Kamnan Mano Rally at Government House
Over 100 villagers from Nakhon Ratchasima traveled to Bangkok to join the Kamnan Mano protest at Government House, demanding action on potash mining pollution, a waste-to-energy plant's environmental impact, and the relocation of the 2029 World Horticultural Expo from Kong to Pak Chong district. Protesters say salt contamination from mining has destroyed farmland and rivers, while waste stockpiling and the power plant threaten nearby communities. They vow to continue demonstrating until the government resolves all three issues.
Nakhon Ratchasima — Three protest groups opposing potash mining, a waste-to-energy plant, and the relocation of the 2029 World Horticultural Expo are traveling to Bangkok to join the Kamnan Mano demonstration at Government House, pledging to remain until their grievances are addressed.
On November 9, in Kong Subdistrict Municipality, Kong District, Nakhon Ratchasima, over 100 protesters from several districts assembled. They were led by Wirawit Chueachanat, known as 'Teacher Od,' representing the Kong District Community Enterprise Group, and former Pheu Thai Party MP candidate Thanyaphon Kulnok. Participants wore white shirts silk-screened with the slogan 'We Were Robbed' and the 'World Horticultural Expo 2029' logo.
The contingent included representatives from Dan Khun Thot district affected by potash mining at Ban Nong Sai in Nong Sai subdistrict; from Non Thai and Kham Sakaesaeng districts impacted by waste stockpiling and a waste-to-energy plant at Ban Phangat in Kham Sakaesaeng; and villagers opposing the government's decision to move the World Horticultural Expo 2029 from Kong district to Pak Chong district.
The groups traveled by tour buses, vans, and pickup trucks to join the People's Revolution Alliance to Protect the Nation (Khon Klom Prachachon Patibat), a southern protest group led by Kamnan Mano, also known as Mano Khruakaew, the kamnan of Krabi Noi subdistrict in Mueang Krabi district, Krabi province. They arrived in Bangkok and joined the rally at 5:30 a.m. to protest government performance and highlight their three core issues.
Wirawit said Dan Khun Thot residents suffer not only from lost farmland near the potash mine but also from soil salinization caused by the mine's brine extraction, rendering all agriculture impossible. Salt water has now flowed into the upper Lam Chiang Khrai canal running through Dan Khun Thot and down to the lower Lam Chiang Khrai in Non Thai, devastating the environment, aquatic life, and communities that depend on the river.
In Kham Sakaesaeng and Non Thai, waste trucked to the waste-to-energy plant at Phangat subdistrict is piled into mountains at Non Thai, emitting foul odors and leachate. Constant truck traffic adds to the distress. The plant sits just 300 meters from a community and a child development center; when operational, it will inevitably release dust, odors, and wastewater.
The final issue is the Expo's relocation from Kong to Pak Chong, which contradicts the 20-year strategy set by the previous Prayut Chan-o-cha administration, particularly its goal of reducing inequality. Nakhon Ratchasima won the bid by proposing drought- and salt-tolerant plant solutions, beating out many countries. Kong and seven surrounding districts had already prepared extensively — the venue sits on Mittraphap Road, Nakhon Ratchasima Airport in Chaloem Phra Kiat district is within 70 kilometers, and over 10,000 hotel rooms are available within 60 kilometers, meeting the organizing committee's requirements. Yet the event was moved to Pak Chong.
