Environmental cases, Sayumporn noted, are complicated and technical and actually need experts to help prove wrongdoings, something that is still much lacking in the procedures. “An environmental justice system needs structural reform, and minor changes here and there would contribute nothing to society. Buntoon Srethasirote, chair of the committee’s sub-panel on environmental management reform said environmental justice reform does not end with creating an environmental court, but has expanded to cover the whole system to ensure environmental justice to people. For instance, the environmental court would be seen in the fourth year of reform, after the very first components, including the environmental justice system committee were set up to oversee the whole picture. Some participants suggested the panel consider including early steps toward environmental justice, such as applying the precautionary principle to prevent damage as well as access to information.

Source: The Nation Bangkok December 15, 2017 13:14 UTC