The Supreme Court has upheld lower courts’ decision to award 36 million baht in damages to 151 Thai-Karen villagers…affected by a lead-contaminated creek.

The court…also ordered Lead Concentrates (Thailand) Co had to clean up and rehabilitate the polluted Klity Creek.

The creek was contaminated by water illegally discharged from a nearby lead factory owned by the company.

The court found the department's handling of the Klity Creek incident reflected a lack of a proper emergency response plan, which caused harmful pollution to spread into the environment and affect nearby residents.

...The court viewed…the case…in line with the indigenous right of local communities endorsed by the constitution.

…The company and its directors had the responsibility to restore the creek to its original standard set by the government.