<p>A local conservation group in Thailand’s northeast has urged the military and local authorities to reconsider plans to dredge a local swamp crucial for local farmers.</p> <p>On 2 March 2017, 20 members of a local environmental conservation group in Nong Phai Subdistrict of Mueang District, Udon Thani Province submitted a letter to the Department of Water Resources and the 24th Military Circle.</p> <p>The group demanded that the authorities reconsider their plans to dredge Nong Na Tan, a local swamp, which local villagers use for agriculture.</p>

<p>Soldiers in the northeastern (Isan) province of Udon Thani are intimidating anti-mine activists ahead of a planned forum on the environmental effects of a potash mine. &nbsp;</p>

<div>The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from the Udon Thani Environmental Conservation Group about the intensification of ongoing threats and surveillance of human rights defenders who are members of the group. They have been engaged in a long-standing struggle for community participation in decisions about potash mining in Udon Thani province. </div>