Second International Meeting: The river that flowed freely again and the historic victory of affected people in Thailand
If in 1997 the First International Meeting of People Affected by Dams marked a fundamental step towards the internationalization of the struggle of affected populations, six years later, the community of Rasi Salai, in northeastern Thailand, reaffirmed to the world the power of collective organization and resistance.
The Second International Meeting of People Affected by Dams and their Allies brought together more than 300 people from 62 countries, between November 28 and December 3, 2003. The meeting was held in the small village of Rasi Salai, where the scenery was impressive: on the banks of the Mun River, a village of huts made of bamboo and rice straw, built entirely by people affected by dams in Thailand to welcome those who would arrive from all over the world for the meeting.
Despite the unique landscape, it was the determination and achievement of the people affected in that place that had the greatest significance: upstream from the Rasi Salai dam, the land had been covered by water for more than seven years. After much struggle by those affected, the floodgates were opened, allowing the river waters to return to their natural course and the water to leave that territory. The International Meeting took place three years after the reopening of the floodgates, when the crops were already maturing, the fish were beginning to reappear, and community life was once again as vibrant as in the past.
Thai activist Sodsai Sangsok is part of the Ubon Monitoring Group for Floods and Dams on the Mekong River. Ubon is the closest city to Rasi Salai, and the Mun River, approximately 750 km long, is one of the main tributaries of the great Mekong River. Sodsai recalls that the meeting was fundamental for the exchange of experiences and collective learning, and that it highlighted international solidarity among those affected:
“For the residents of Rasi Salai, it was a moment of joy and empowerment to receive visitors who came to support them. The event helped reaffirm the residents’ identity and strengthen the collective image of the community. This made them feel proud and connected, especially with the comrades from abroad who shared experiences and ideas that helped them grow and continue improving their struggle,” says Sodsai.
Two Decades of Resistance
The fight against the dams in Thailand and in Rasi Salai continues, even more than 20 years later. Currently, the dam’s gates are opened and closed periodically by the government, at undetermined times, making life impossible for those affected on the banks of the Mun River. “We continue to fight day after day, month after month, and year after year, through every possible means. Although we haven’t achieved full justice, we will never give up. We adapt our movement according to changing situations,” reports the affected woman.
Among the main demands of those affected in Rasi Salai is compensation for the loss of income from livelihoods in the flooded forest area of Paa Bung Paa Tam, destroyed by the dam’s construction. The Thai government has an obligation to pay compensation from the time of construction until now, but Sodsai reports that no payments have been made so far. “We will continue our fight until our problems are finally resolved,” emphasizes the Rasi Salai resident.
Sodsai will not be in Brazil, but says that another person affected by Rasi Salai and a member of the Ubon Monitoring Group for Floods and Dams on the Mekong River will participate in the IV International Meeting of Communities Affected by Dams and the Climate Crisis, which begins next Friday (November 7).
In a few days, affected people from all over the world will meet in Belém, in the Brazilian Amazon, for the IV International Meeting. Meanwhile, you can continue to follow the path to the 2025 meeting on our website. Tomorrow you can check out the report from the III International Meeting of People Affected by Dams, in Mexico.
