Several hospitals and the public health office in the northeastern province of Si Sa Ket yesterday put up signs in support of the proposed ban on the use of paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos.
The hospitals' banners not only expressed support for the proposed ban but also cited the number of deaths and illnesses related to the use of the chemicals to underline the need for immediate action.
Their move came after Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul declared he would spearhead a campaign to have the three farming chemicals banned.
Supporters of the ban want it to be enforced by the end of this year.
However, the final say rests with National Hazardous Substances Committee (NHSC) which has so far only agreed on restricting their use.
The proposed ban was initiated by the Public Health Ministry in early 2017 which formed a joint committee with representation from the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry and the farming industry.
Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit yesterday accepted an invitation from Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Sri-on to make the ban a public commitment.
Mr Suriya said he supported the proposed ban out of concerns for the health of the public and the environment.
"I'm ready to join. The public interest and people's safety are my priorities. I believe we can find a way to resolve this," he said.
Mr Chalermchai had come under fire after a letter showed he told the Department of Agriculture on Sept 17 to follow the NHSC's decision to restrict the use of the popular farm chemicals instead of banning them.
Meanwhile, Puangrat Kajitvichyanukul, a researcher at Naresuan University who has studied contamination of three chemicals in fruits and vegetables, said restricted use of the chemicals is not good enough.
In an interview with the Thai media, she said her findings regarding the dangers of those chemicals are consistent with reports by doctors who have catalogued a link between illness suffered by farmers who sought treatment at hospitals with their heavy use of the chemicals on their farms.
"It's about time for the NHSC to decide according to these findings and suggestions. Isn't it better to stop using chemicals?
"Isn't it better to switch to organic farming? As for alternatives, it's up to the Department of Agriculture," she said.
Ms Puangrat, who is one of two advocates who have been intimidated by critics over their support for the ban, said she understands the criticism of her research work.
However, she considers it to be her responsibility to inform the public of her findings when public health and safety are at risk.