(Chiang Rai/Bangkok/Beikong, 12th) The Kok River and other rivers in northern Thailand have been found to have heavy metal concentrations exceeding safety levels, with the pollution source traced back to upstream mining operations in Myanmar's Shan State. The Thai government has sent a letter to Myanmar requesting a response from the military government.
According to the Bangkok Post, Thailand's Deputy Minister of the Interior, Thirarat, revealed after a meeting with relevant departments in Chiang Rai on Tuesday (June 10) that a special task force established to address river pollution has sent a letter to Myanmar demanding a solution. The task force is awaiting Myanmar's response and is "contacting a third country" to arrange a meeting.
The "third country" is believed to be China.
Several mining projects have emerged in Myanmar's Shan State near the border with Thailand around 2022. Shan State is controlled by the United Wa State Army (UWSA), one of Myanmar's largest ethnic armed organizations. The UWSA has long-standing ties with China, and according to AFP, the mines in Shan State are believed to be operated by Chinese companies closely associated with the UWSA.
The NGO "International Rivers" attributes the pollution of Thai rivers to unlicensed mines in Shan State, stating that these mines operate without regulation and are dumping toxic waste into the rivers without treatment.
Recent testing conducted by the Thai government in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai found that the arsenic levels in the Kok River reached 49 micrograms per liter, nearly five times the international drinking water standard. The Kok River flows through northernmost Thailand, including Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai provinces, and eventually feeds into the Mekong River.
Experts noted that while the health impacts might not be immediate, heavy metals could accumulate in the bodies of local people over several years, especially since their diet is primarily fish-based.
Thai fisherman Sawat told AFP that the price of his catches has nearly halved recently. He said, "Customers say, 'There's arsenic. I don’t want to eat that fish.' "
Sawat stated, "We already know where the pollution is coming from. They should resolve the issue at its source."
It is currently unclear whether these mines are extracting gold, rare earth elements, or other minerals, and it is difficult to ascertain the scale of the mining operations. However, a report released on Tuesday by the Myanmar Institute for Strategic and Policy Studies indicated that, by value, about two-thirds of China's imported rare earths come from Myanmar.
The Chinese Embassy in Thailand has expressed high concern over the heavy metal pollution issue in the Mekong tributaries within Thailand. In response to a reporter's query last Sunday (8th), the embassy spokesperson stated that China supports Thai and Myanmar sides in enhancing communication and coordination, conducting scientific and responsible investigations, and resolving the issue through friendly consultations.
The issue of environmental pollution caused by Chinese-operated mines has also sparked strong reactions in Myanmar. Hundreds of Myanmar ethnic minorities recently surrounded a lead mine in Shan State, blocking vehicle passage and threatening to seize mining equipment. Protesters demanded that mining operations be halted until peace is restored in Myanmar and the duly elected government reviews the mine's operations.
According to the Bangkok Post, Thailand's Deputy Minister of the Interior, Thirarat, revealed after a meeting with relevant departments in Chiang Rai on Tuesday (June 10) that a special task force established to address river pollution has sent a letter to Myanmar demanding a solution. The task force is awaiting Myanmar's response and is "contacting a third country" to arrange a meeting.
The "third country" is believed to be China.
Several mining projects have emerged in Myanmar's Shan State near the border with Thailand around 2022. Shan State is controlled by the United Wa State Army (UWSA), one of Myanmar's largest ethnic armed organizations. The UWSA has long-standing ties with China, and according to AFP, the mines in Shan State are believed to be operated by Chinese companies closely associated with the UWSA.
The NGO "International Rivers" attributes the pollution of Thai rivers to unlicensed mines in Shan State, stating that these mines operate without regulation and are dumping toxic waste into the rivers without treatment.
Recent testing conducted by the Thai government in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai found that the arsenic levels in the Kok River reached 49 micrograms per liter, nearly five times the international drinking water standard. The Kok River flows through northernmost Thailand, including Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai provinces, and eventually feeds into the Mekong River.
Experts noted that while the health impacts might not be immediate, heavy metals could accumulate in the bodies of local people over several years, especially since their diet is primarily fish-based.
Thai fisherman Sawat told AFP that the price of his catches has nearly halved recently. He said, "Customers say, 'There's arsenic. I don’t want to eat that fish.' "
Sawat stated, "We already know where the pollution is coming from. They should resolve the issue at its source."
It is currently unclear whether these mines are extracting gold, rare earth elements, or other minerals, and it is difficult to ascertain the scale of the mining operations. However, a report released on Tuesday by the Myanmar Institute for Strategic and Policy Studies indicated that, by value, about two-thirds of China's imported rare earths come from Myanmar.
The Chinese Embassy in Thailand has expressed high concern over the heavy metal pollution issue in the Mekong tributaries within Thailand. In response to a reporter's query last Sunday (8th), the embassy spokesperson stated that China supports Thai and Myanmar sides in enhancing communication and coordination, conducting scientific and responsible investigations, and resolving the issue through friendly consultations.
The issue of environmental pollution caused by Chinese-operated mines has also sparked strong reactions in Myanmar. Hundreds of Myanmar ethnic minorities recently surrounded a lead mine in Shan State, blocking vehicle passage and threatening to seize mining equipment. Protesters demanded that mining operations be halted until peace is restored in Myanmar and the duly elected government reviews the mine's operations.