The Minister of Industry inspected the Akara Gold Mine after the resolution of a longstanding dispute, emphasizing the importance of community health and environmental care.
On 27 Feb 2026 GMT+7, Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, Minister of Industry, traveled to Phichit Province to inspect operations at Akara Resources Public Company Limited following the official end of the dispute between the Thai government and the parent company. He highlighted moving beyond conflict to drive economic growth through mineral resources under strict legal frameworks.
Thanakorn stated that during this visit, he instructed the company to operate under the highest standards, focusing on controlling environmental impacts, safeguarding the health of communities around the mine, and elevating to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards by applying advanced technology for real-time data monitoring.
He also ordered the Department of Primary Industries and Mines to expedite the creation of a “National Strategic Mineral Database” and to develop a nationwide digital environmental quality monitoring system covering all major mines. Additionally, mechanisms for transparent and verifiable community development around mining areas must be established.
“The world is moving toward clean energy, where minerals are vital raw materials for battery industries, electric vehicles (EV), solar panels, and digital technologies. The ministry is therefore accelerating a new master plan for mineral management to maximize the value of domestic resources,” Thanakorn said.
The Minister of Industry concluded by referencing government policy, stating that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul clearly assigned that modern mining goals are not merely about extracting minerals for sale but to make Thai minerals a solid foundation for future industries, ensuring raw material security and sustainably enhancing Thailand’s global competitiveness.