Report Thailand to Address Kok River Arsenic Contamination with Myanmar

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has announced plans to send an expert team to Myanmar next week to address arsenic contamination in the Kok River. Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa stated that the initiative responds to concerns raised during Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's recent visit to Chiang Rai.

 

Water pollution has been prioritised by the government following reports from local residents. Collaborating with Myanmar and China, the MFA aims to develop a joint plan to tackle the issue effectively.

 

An MFA consultant will lead the discussions in Naypyidaw, focusing on creating a robust pollution management strategy. The goal is to prevent contaminants from entering the water, with technical support from international organisations being sought for sustainable solutions.

 

Additionally, Acting Interior Minister Theerarat Samrejvanich has instructed the Chiang Rai governor to focus on improving river water quality. A Monitoring and Surveillance Centre is also being established to address pollution concerns directly.

 

Myanmar has already initiated inspections of the river, with findings to be shared at the upcoming Thai-Myanmar Regional Border Committee meeting in early July.

 

The situation has drawn attention to unregulated gold mining activities in Myanmar's Shan State, particularly those involving Chinese companies, which have been identified by local communities as a key factor in the contamination problem.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-06-30