1.Chaungzon Coal Project Background and Current Status
Following the military coup, a coal project has been implemented in Mon State, between Drayel and Kalaw villages in Chaungzon Township, by the Border Affairs Ministry under the coup regime since 2023. Starting in June 2024, hundreds of acres of land were purchased for the project. Currently, the construction and paving of an 8,282-foot-long earthen bypass road from Drayel village to Taungson village, avoiding Kalaw village, has been completed. This project is led by the Mon State government, under the guidance of the Border Affairs Ministry of the coup regime’s Border Affairs Ministry, and attempts are being made to implement it with the technology and investment of a Chinese company (name not yet disclosed).
2.Lack of Local Community Agreement
For a project to succeed, the agreement of the local community is more important than government approval. According to a survey led by the Chaungzon Monks(Buddhist monastic community), over 980 out of nearly 1,000 local residents (98%) firmly signed objections, indicating they did not want the project.[1] This strong opposition from local residents demonstrates the social illegitimacy of the project. At meetings held by the military junta on December 6th, the benefits of the project were unilaterally promoted without listening to the views of the local residents. In those events, locals were afraid to respond and had to listen quietly, revealing a complete lack of transparency and bilateral discussion.[2]
3.Lessons Learned from Coal Project
Andin coal project, Ye Township: In 2014, Toyo-Thai Corporation (TTCL) began attempts to construct a coal-fired power plant with a US$2.8 billion investment. Throughout 2014 and 2015, thousands of locals strongly protested by taking to the streets, signing petitions, and organizing demonstrations that included religious leaders. Due to the momentum of public opposition, “in August 2015 (three months before the election), the Mon State government officially announced that the project would not be approved” and halted it. Representatives, who later became the Speaker of the Mon State Parliament, stood with the people and led the effort to successfully stop the project in 2015. Throughout the NLD government era (2016-2020), it remained prohibited in accordance with the will of the people.[3]
However, the current Chaungzon project lacks representatives who listen to the people’s voices[4] and stand with them, as in the past. Moreover, the people are living in fear and silence, unable to protest freely during the military coup, and are losing their rights and self-determination amidst oppression.
Thailand, Mae Moh Incident: According to ERI’s records, the Mae Moh project severely violated the “right to live in a clean environment” and “right to health” of local people. Due to sulfur dioxide (SO2) emitted from the factory, local people suffered not only from respiratory diseases, but also from damage to agricultural activities and death of animals,[5] for which the company paid a large amount of compensation.[6] ERI points out that the negative effects of coal are not immediately apparent, but after decades, it can turn an entire community into chronic patients. The Chaung Son project is also in a situation where such a health and environmental disaster could occur. Therefore, it is found that the value of natural resources and long-term socio-economic value to be lost is greater than the value of electricity to be gained from the project.
4.Assessments of potential impacts on health and the environment
The hot ash and toxic gases emitted from the coal-fired power plant will directly impact the Dray River, the project site. Additionally, due to the heavy rainfall in Mon State, acid and toxic elements such as mercury from the coal ash ponds may seep into the groundwater and river system, polluting the aquatic ecosystem. Because this river system is interconnected, any pollution will affect the aquatic ecosystem and the socio-economic lives of people along the Mawlamyine Strand Road. Furthermore, these toxic substances will enter the human food chain through fish in the river, posing a long-term threat to the health and socio-economic lives of not only Bilu Island residents but also a large population in and around Mawlamyine. RICE researchers assess that this project is pushing the region into a situation where food security is of particular concern.
In particular, toxic byproducts from the coal-fired power plant can severely impact the health of local people in many ways. Inhaling fine particles and gases emitted from the plant can lead to long-term respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer. These particles can also seep into the bloodstream, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.[7]
Furthermore, mercury seeping into the river can enter the human body through fish, damaging the nervous system and causing tremors and impaired vision. In pregnant women and young children, it can lead to adverse effects such as intellectual disability and delayed brain development. Therefore, this project poses a long-term threat to the health and socio-economic well-being of not only the current population but also future generations.[8]
Overall, the military junta’s efforts to rally local support appear to be focused on “project success” rather than “public benefit.” The fact that over 98% of locals oppose the project demonstrates its social illegitimacy. Health and environmental hazards are of greater concern than the electricity to be gained, thus the project can be considered a threat to the life security of the locals. It remains to be seen whether the candidates who competed in the election led by the current military junta will stand with the people or remain silent for their own benefit, and their representation should be monitored.
[1] Independent Mon News Agency (IMNA): (December 16, 2025) The State Chief Minister’s team from the military council campaigned on the ground to get locals to accept the Chaungzon coal project, Link
[2] Burma News International (BNI): (December 09, 2025) “The State Chief Minister’s Team of the Military Council Campaigns to the Ground Level for Local Acceptance of the Chaungzon Coal Project”, Link: bnionline.net/mm/news-112463
[3] The Irrawaddy. (2015, August 6). Mon State Govt Rejects Controversial Coal Plant, Link
[4] Burma Link. (2016). Ann Din Coal Power Plant: Local Movement and Action to Preserve and Protect Natural Resources and Land (Mon IDP Report Case Study #4), link
[5] EarthRights International (ERI). The Mae Moh Coal Power Plant Struggle: A victory for community health and environmental justice. Link: earthrights.org
[6] Greenpeace Southeast Asia. (2015). The Cost of Coal: Mae Moh Case. Link
[7] World Health Organization. (2021). WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines: Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide. Geneva: World Health Organization. Link
[8] United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2019). Global Mercury Assessment 2018. UN Environment Programme, Chemicals and Health Branch. Link
