Rare earth pact with US draws rally

Protesters warn of environmental risk

- APINYA WIPATAYOTIN

A coalition of civil society groups gathered outside the US embassy in Bangkok yesterday to protest against a controversial memorandum of understanding (MoU) on rare earth supply chain cooperation, calling it a threat to Thailand's sovereignty and environment.

The demonstrators, led by Lertsak Khamkongsak, chairman of the Thai NGO Coordinating Committee on Development and the Network of People Who Own Mineral Resources, urged Washington to withdraw from the deal, which was signed during last week's Asean Summit in Malaysia.