For the government, and many of us, the conflict over water between residents in tambon Phaya Mengrai in Chiang Rai's Phaya Mengrai district and Hongta International Co, a Chinese company which operates a 2,700-rai banana plantation in the area, is a minor and insignificant issue not worthy of public attention.
The residents have accused the Chinese company of pumping excessive water from the Mae Ing creek in order to irrigate the banana plantation, causing the creek to dry up and depriving residents of their traditional source of water.
Locals held a protest last week, prompting the district chief to intervene and put and end to the water pumping. It was reported that the company promised to dredge artesian wells for use in the plantation.
But the conflict over water is not the main reason for concern. As a matter of fact, the issue might not have emerged had the water in the area been abundant like it had been in earlier years.
One issue of real concern is the heavy use of pesticides in the cultivation process. It appears authorities have not taken a serious look at this issue. This is because the residents have not complained about their health problems that might have stemmed from overexposure to dangerous chemicals.
Phaya Mengrai district chief officer Pubet Chulayanont promised to set up a panel consisting of health and agriculture officials to investigate the matter. But it remains unclear when, or even whether, the panel will begin its investigation.
A simple glance at banana cultivation practices of other Chinese companies in Laos demonstrates that excessive use of pesticides has caused health problems for Lao people working on the plantations. This should, at least, make the Thai government aware of a problem which is the by-product of its "open arms" foreign investment policy that welcomes all foreign investors and all kinds of business activities without proper screening or regulations.
Chinese entrepreneurs have developed banana plantations across thousands of hectares of land leased from locals in Bokeo province of Laos. The banana strains used for cultivation come from China and the bananas are mainly intended for export to China.
Plantation workers are paid between US$120-150 (about 4,220-5,300 baht) per month which is a bit higher than the Lao monthly per capita income estimated at $137 by the World Bank. Most are from marginalised ethnic minority groups who previously relied on subsistence livelihoods.
According to media reports, massive use of pesticides has caused health problems for Lao workers and their families in Chinese banana plantations to the extent that, last September, the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forest warned four Chinese companies against excessive use of pesticides and ordered inspections at banana plantations in several provinces. It also banned development of new plantations.
This explains why some of these Chinese firms, including Hongta International, have eyed Thailand as a new location to establish banana plantations.
The Mekong-Lanna nature conservation network has accused the Chinese plantation in tambon Phya Mengrai of heavy use of pesticides and water from Mae Ing creek. However, the accusation needs to be verified and an investigation is warranted in order to nip the problem in the bud.
The district chief officer of Phaya Mengrai made a valid point, saying that Hongta International should be treated fairly. Of course, foreign investors are welcome here provided that they follow the law and conduct their business in a way that is beneficial to the country and its people.
In the Hongta case, authorities should also consider if it is worthwhile making the land available for lease when Thai people will merely be plantation labourers earning the minimum wage, or worse, while risking chemical contamination.