Khon Rak Ban Kerd

Khon Rak Ban Kerd (“KRBK”)

Na Nong Bong, Loei Province

Radgram Partnership Began in 2016

KRBK’s Story

The effects of gold mining and trauma from over a decade of protest have left both tangible and intangible scars on the Na Nong Bong community. Although the mine’s closure represents a significant victory for the community, it also marks a new phase of their struggle: the multifaceted process of healing. The grandmas are now fighting to restore the environment degraded by mining and repair community relationships, mental and physical well-being, and their economy.

While the Thai Government has ordered the mining company, Tungkum Ltd., to restore the mine site, the company has since declared bankruptcy. The Loei provincial government has established a committee dedicated to restoring the damaged area without representation of the affected community members. The community is skeptical that the government's measures will adequately address the community’s multi-faceted needs and worries that efforts will fall short of true restoration or justice.

Although the community has won its legal battles, justice will not truly be served until the community is given the resources to heal. The Na Nong Bong community deserves the right to enjoy their land and connect with each other outside of the struggle.

For Khon Rak Ban Kerd (KRBK), a village-based organization fighting against gold mining in Loei province, weaving has strengthened the fighting spirit and sustains the movement financially. Since KRBK was established in 2008, the group has been at the forefront of resisting gold mining and revitalizing their community's ecosystem, economy, and social ties.

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Our Partnership

In 2023, RadGram facilitated a $15,000 grant to KRBK through a regranting partnership with the Environmental Defenders Collaborative (EDC). This fund went toward organizing youth, increasing community-wide understanding of holistic restoration goals, maintaining security for the mining site and key organizer’s homes, and facilitating collaborative activities and partnerships for restoration of land, community, and the economy. Our key joint project is a weaving school that preserves traditional practices and provides a learning space for younger weavers and cotton cultivation. This aims to inspire younger generations to learn about the community’s activism and join KRBK in its restoration efforts. Other funded initiatives include community-building events, commemorating the historic May 15th event, and supporting the community’s plan to restore the ecosystem contaminated by gold mining.

The most significant change that KRBK identified in our reflection with them is the funding directed to movement organizing. It not only strengthened their solidarity but also supported movement leaders in learning more about anti-mine struggles across Thailand and networking with different groups through capacity-building programs.

We interviewed Pornphattra Kaengjumpa (Boi), a leading member of KRBK and a local weaver with experience in advocating for the community with the government and organizing public events. Pornphattra has worked with RadGram since our initial partnership in 2016 and was chosen by KRBK to share the impact of our work over 2023.

Pornphattra talked about her changing perspective since she became acquainted with RadGram: "Growing up, weaving was simply part of the backdrop of my life. I'd often see my mother and other women in the community working on this, but it held little interest for me. It was just another traditional craft, seemingly irrelevant to my life. However, RadGram's engagement in our community changed me. Their dedication to empowering women sparked a newfound curiosity. It sparked my interest in learning to weave and rediscovering my roots."

Pornphattra emphasized how the funding influenced and developed the movement leaders: "Beyond the personal significance, RadGram's involvement brought a broader perspective. Their international network opened my eyes to the global level of our work, connecting us to a wider movement. We began to see weaving not just as a craft but as a powerful tool for social and economic change. This point of view also fueled our determination to fight." RadGram's targeted funding significantly boosted KRBK’s movement organizing capabilities. It fortified community solidarity, as well as also empowered local leaders to gain broader insights into mining conflicts. A major impact of this fund is that it has allowed KRBK to systematically manage their funding throughout the year, enabling them to be more effective in their work with outside organizations and increasing capacity and enthusiasm for their restoration work.

Community Voices

Pornphattra Kaengjumpa

(Boi)

KRBK Member

"Beyond the personal significance, RadGram's involvement brought a broader perspective. Their international network opened my eyes to the global level of our work, connecting us to a wider movement. We began to see weaving not just as a craft but as a powerful tool for social and economic change. This point of view also fueled our determination to fight."