The villagers along the Mekong are delighted Teacher Tee received the Goldman Environmental Prize, revealing that he joined the fight against the Mekong rapids bombing together. State scholars look at examples of the natural healing of little people.
May 26, 2022 – At Hong Hien on the Mekong River, Chiang Khong District, Chiang Rai Province, a Goldman Environmental Prize award ceremony was awarded to Mr. Niwat Roykaew or “Kru Tee”, the chairman of the Chiang Khong Conservation Group. As an important chapter in the opposition to the Mekong River rapids bombing project undertaken by the Chinese government. Until the Thai government has a cabinet resolution to cancel the project. The ceremony was held online from the United States. There are a total of 7 awardees on 6 continents, with important figures and villagers joining to congratulate such as Phra Apichart Ratiko, Abbot of Wat Sob Kok, Prof. Surichai Wankaew, Center for Peace and Conflict Studies. Chulalongkorn University Mrs. Tuanjai Deetes, former senator and villagers along the Mekong River There is also a ceremony for monks to make merit at the opening of Ai Saeng Dao Library.
After that, a discussion on the topic “World Environment Award Goldman Environmental Prize Opposing the explosion of the Mekong rapids and the next step in the stewardship of the river” by the panelists included Mr. Niwat Roykaew, Prof. Surichai Wankaew, Mrs. Tuanjai Deetes, Mr. Somkiat Chiangsa Dam. President of the Rivers for Life Association, Mr. Muang Sisom, representative of Muang Chum Village, Witoon Champakham, representative of Thung Ngew Village, Mrs. Pimphan Wongchaiya, representative of Boon Rueang Village, and Dr. Apisom Inthralawan, an academician from Mae Fah Luang University.
Mr. Somkiat said Upon learning that there was a project to blast rapids in the Mekong River, they joined the area with Kru Tee to ask the villagers, who all said that if the islands of Kaeng Hin Pha were destroyed, it would destroy fish and plant habitats. and the villagers could not live Therefore, we have to protect the islands of Kaeng Hin Pha because the Mekong River is a living place for villagers. which to this day believes that the rise in opposition has made people know more about the Mekong River And the award received this time considered the public participation that Teacher Tee represents.
“Winning the reward increases the mental cost. But today, the Mekong River is still being developed. We still have to fight to protect the Mekong River and its tributaries,” said Somkiat.
Teacher Tee said At first, we did not know that China would blow up the Mekong rapids until one day a younger person working at the Ministry of the Interior received news that a letter said that the rapids would be blown up and the village leaders told the villagers to be careful and not to enter. near which this book made me know that he would take it seriously At first we didn’t know how to fight. I only thought that if he came, he had to go find him. Having boarded a Chinese expedition ship twice, summoned the villagers to the boat and climbed onto the boat to tell him to stop and leave. which he startled, we finally started to move By letting the villagers know as we know because they believe that when everyone knows the facts, they won’t give up because they love their homeland.
“I thank all my brothers and sisters. Thank you on behalf of the Mekong River that we have helped each other with love. The story of the explosion on the islands is too big for us to fight alone. Sometimes the decision can be very stressful. We need cooperation with heart and soul. not cooperating with benefits The Mekong River must be preserved with the spirit of humanity. Thank you all, at least we stopped the explosion of the island. for example no matter how difficult If you have faith in what you can do that is beneficial to the world, everyone can do it. I would say that nature is the breath of the world and not just the breath of man. If you kill and destroy nature The breath of the world was gone. human beings will be gone Everything is gone,” said Teacher Tee.
Mr. Witoon Champakham said that at first he did not know who Teacher Tee was until one day the government would take the village’s community forest to create a special economic zone. which the villagers did not know how to fight Until they met Teacher Tee and Nang Tuanjai who went to the forest area. causing villagers to know the way of fighting This award is considered the history of the Chiang Khong people. makes us feel proud and happy
“The award Teacher Tee received was very touching. a feeling of being unable to speak From a man I’ve known since I was young Although the Mekong River is constantly changing But no matter which way Teacher Tee goes We will go that way,” said Mr. Witoon.
Mr. Muang Sisom said that the Ban Muang Chum Community Forest received the Green Globe award because of Teacher Tee and the Chiang Khong Conservation Group. Now other people have come to visit. We have preserved the forest and the fish palace. make fish to eat In the past, rare fish Because China built a dam, causing problems with the Mekong River. We have to fight for our country because there are many consequences. In the past, when the Mekong River rose This caused water to flow into the wetlands resulting in a lot of fish, but when China built a dam, almost no fish flowed from the Mekong River to the Ing River. affect many Now I feel happy and proud that Teacher Tee has received the award.
Mrs. Pimphan Wongchaiya said that she knew Teacher Tee because the authorities would take the Ban Boon Rueang community forest to create a special economic zone. Help the house help each other oppose. Without Teacher Tee Pa, Ban Boon Rueang would not be left until today, just like the Mekong River. Until Pa Boonruang was awarded the Equator Prize from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Teacher Tee’s award made the villagers feel very proud, it was a guarantee that we had to fight. and the network must hold hands tightly
Prof. Surichai Wankaew said that Teacher Tee is recognized world-class for being brave. ties to unseen areas that have signaled a large country that the Thai government dares not do anything. But the local people have come out to demand until they can amend the cabinet resolution. The world is now very distorted if we don’t help each other out. Anything will be too late. Small but mighty intentions are believed to be learned from those who struggled with these stories.
“Without water there is no life. At the same time, water is the evolution of life. The construction of dams makes some fish species disappear and cannot be rebuilt. The opportunity for teacher Tee to receive an award It may allow people with different vision to experience the heart of the river and the connection of life that is not money or material. Meanwhile, politics has to change from the politics of power to take responsibility for nature and people’s way of life,” said Prof. Surichai.
Director of Peace and Conflict Studies, said the heart of what we’re talking about is making decisions for a more balanced world. is to develop, but not on loss But it is a development that has been reformed as well. not fifty, but fifty It must be a development that goes hand in hand with the restoration of the ecosystem. It’s a broad responsibility. And the state apparatus must learn from the bravery of the villagers and make an unbalanced review. The political powers that make decisions that are not responsible for the ecosystem must be reconsidered. While the country’s leaders must be open-minded, learn from the community.
Prof. Surichai discussed the case of the Mekong River becoming a political battleground between China and the United States. that such international politics is driven by geopolitical reasoning. As in the truth of Thailand, the word “Phum” has to take into account the power of nature and to look at how our geopolitics will live. Especially the little ones, which is now an important opportunity to balance at the geopolitical level with the participation of local people in nature. It’s not a bloody politics or just conflicts. We need to take ecological politics as well. because everyone has to breathe together Therefore, there must be various channels to cooperate.
Mrs. Tuanjai said When the project to blast the Mekong rapids, the commissioners were invited to come to the area and concluded that the blasting of the islands would affect the border, the government eventually retreated. I think that Thai people should be aware of climate change. While people living on the Mekong River must live with human dignity, such as people with nationality problems. and natural matters must involve villagers
