The Movement of Civil Society Networks in Response to Violations of the Rights of Citizens by the State: Case Study of an Industrial Quarry Mining Concession in the Forest Area of Phra Phutthabat Noi-Khao Khamin Community, Kaeng Khoi District, Saraburi Province

Abstract

The research article had the objectives to study the strategies and limitations of the movement of civil society networks in response to violations of the rights of citizens by the state: a case study of an industrial quarry mining concession in the forest area of Phra Phutthabat Noi-Khao Khamin Community, Kaeng Khoi District, Saraburi Province. This was a qualitative research study and data were collected by review of related documents and in-depth interviews with key informants, including formal leaders, Community Forest Committee members, traditional sages, representatives from the local administrative organizations, and representatives of the NGO sector. This research has found that; 1) Strategies used in social movements in response to the violation of Citizen’s rights by the state. include fighting tactics based on socio-cultural and traditional beliefs, including public participation, Civil society can also resist by using social media in combination with the mass media, there is also the strategy of resistance by using the channels of the normal political system. 2)The limitations in the movement to counter public violations by the state are the restrictions on the authority of government officials in connection with mining concessions. There are legal restrictions, including the concession process and market restrictions on the rights of the community forest area of Phra Phutthabat Noi - Khao Khamin. There are restrictions from the legitimacy of the state. As a result, the Civil Society network has to review the former tactics, and find ways to continue to oppose the new quarry mining concession.