Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday told villagers protesting against a planned expansion of gold-mining areas that no new mining permits will be issued during ongoing legal disputes and an assessment period.
He was responding to a rally by protesters from 12 provinces who oppose the planned expansion of gold-mining areas.
The protesters submitted a letter with 27,522 names calling for Gen Prayut to revoke the government's policy to expand gold-mining areas.
The 12 provinces are Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, Loei, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Sa Kaeo, Surat Thani and Satun.
They have also urged the government to review a minerals bill that is undergoing scrutiny.
State agencies had already received petitions against plans to expand gold-mining areas, and were reviewing them, Gen Prayut said.
The petitions concerned both old and new gold mines that were facing legal disputes, including rows over whether their permits should be renewed, and an assessment of their impacts, he said.
During this process, no new gold-mining permits would be issued, he said.
This stance would continue until all problems are dealt with and if the problems could not be solved, the mines would then remain closed, he said.
Gold mining is regulated under the Industry Act, he said.
A total of 33 gold concession licences and 65 special prospecting licences have been issued in the 12 provinces. Applications for another 107 licences are being processed.