Victims, researchers and academics will on Saturday gather in Bangkok for a seminar marking the 60th anniversary since the discovery of mercury poisoning malady Minamata disease.
To be held at Chulalongkorn University, speakers will include Shinobu Sakamoto, a Kumamoto Prefecture native who contracted Minamata disease, which paralyzes the central nervous system and causes birth defects, in the womb.
"We expect Thai people to know much more about Minamata disease and to be more aware of the necessity for mercury use regulation through this seminar," said Yoichi Tani, a senior staff member at the Collaboration Center for Minamata Disease Victims.