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Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Concerned residents from eight northeastern Thai provinces gathered in Mukdahan to share growing fears over the deteriorating condition of the Mekong River, citing increasingly erratic water levels, declining fish populations and shrinking incomes. The mounting environmental crisis, they say, is being driven by upstream dam construction, riverbed mining, and cross-border exploitation.

 

The meeting, held on 29 June at the Homel Muk Hotel in Mueang District, brought together over 100 participants including villagers, environmental activists and academic observers. Attendees represented provinces along the Mekong, Chiang Rai, Loei, Bueng Kan, Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, and Ubon Ratchathani, with the aim of developing a collective action plan under a shared network.

 

In morning discussions, participants broke into groups based on their regional ecosystems to review the current situation before presenting findings to the larger forum. The results painted a bleak picture.

 

Ecosystem Disruption and Eroding Livelihoods

 

Mr. Channarong Wongla, from Chiang Khan District in Loei, described severe bank erosion and the disappearance of sandbars and backwater pools as a result of unpredictable water levels and intensified currents. The sediment buildup has wiped out over 70% of “krai” trees, vital spawning habitats for fish, leading to a dramatic reduction in native species, such as the pla phia, now reportedly down to just 20% of historical catch levels.

 

In Nong Khai, Mr. Saman Kaewphuang said villagers have lost between 6 to 7 rai of titled land due to bank collapse since 2019. Traditional fishing tools have been destroyed by unmanageable currents and formerly thriving fisheries now yield barely enough for survival. Annual fishing income has plummeted from 200,000–300,000 baht to just 5,000 baht, he noted.

 

Nakhon Phanom residents, represented by Mr. Amnat Traichak, highlighted additional strain from sand dredging operations on both the Thai and Lao sides of the river. The result: droughts in rainy seasons, floods in dry ones and the near collapse of tributary ecosystems like the Songkhram River, now clogged with invasive vegetation.

 

Traditional Ways of Life Disappearing

 

From Amnat Charoen, Mr. Surasing Thananta shared that only 7–8 families in his riverside village still fish for a living. Irregular water levels have made spawning cycles unviable, killing off vital riverside vegetation and displacing entire communities. Boats have been abandoned, and many villagers have had to seek work in cities.

 

In Ubon Ratchathani, Ms. Sompong Viengchan spoke of worsening fish scarcity at the confluence of the Mun and Mekong rivers, worsened by illegal electrofishing by Lao communities, some crossing into Thai territory. Local fishermen have dropped from over 100 households to fewer than 20, with agriculture similarly devastated by unpredictable floods and dry spells.

 

Mr. Anan Taweesuk of Mukdahan explained that even aquatic insect larvae and worms, the base of the aquatic food chain, have disappeared from the riverbed. “No food means no fish. No fish means no livelihood,” he said bluntly.

 

Pollution and Cross-Border Threats

 

In Chiang Rai, Ms. Piyanant Chitjaeng warned of arsenic and heavy metal contamination from mining in Myanmar affecting the Kok and Sai rivers, which feed into the Mekong. Recent “rain bomb” events have also caused major flash floods, while blocked river discharge points during high Mekong levels have triggered large-scale inundation.

 

Mr. Montri Janthawong, coordinator of the advocacy group The Mekong Butterfly, added that sediment data from Chiang Khong shows the Mekong is now twice as turbid in the dry season compared to just three years ago. This turbidity, possibly from upstream mining, threatens aquatic biodiversity across the lower Mekong.

 

He also noted a dramatic and irregular pattern in water level changes, caused by dam releases from China. Between February and April this year, dam discharges submerged 70–80% of key sandbanks and rocky areas used by waterbirds for nesting, severely damaging breeding cycles and contributing to the collapse of both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

 

Calls for Action and Further Investigation

 

In the afternoon session, participants discussed the energy policies tied to dam construction, including concerns over Thailand’s Power Development Plan (PDP) and questionable electricity purchasing agreements. The forum also addressed official complaints submitted to the National Human Rights Commission regarding the cross-border effects of hydropower projects and controversial water diversion schemes like the Khong–Loei–Chi–Mun project.

 

As the Mekong’s communities continue to bear the brunt of ecological disruption, the assembled network pledged coordinated efforts to preserve what remains of their river-dependent way of life and push for greater accountability from both domestic and regional stakeholders.

 

 

image.png  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-07-01

 

 

image.png

 

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Posted
10 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

 

image.jpeg

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Concerned residents from eight northeastern Thai provinces gathered in Mukdahan to share growing fears over the deteriorating condition of the Mekong River, citing increasingly erratic water levels, declining fish populations and shrinking incomes. The mounting environmental crisis, they say, is being driven by upstream dam construction, riverbed mining, and cross-border exploitation.

 

The meeting, held on 29 June at the Homel Muk Hotel in Mueang District, brought together over 100 participants including villagers, environmental activists and academic observers. Attendees represented provinces along the Mekong, Chiang Rai, Loei, Bueng Kan, Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, and Ubon Ratchathani, with the aim of developing a collective action plan under a shared network.

 

In morning discussions, participants broke into groups based on their regional ecosystems to review the current situation before presenting findings to the larger forum. The results painted a bleak picture.

 

Ecosystem Disruption and Eroding Livelihoods

 

Mr. Channarong Wongla, from Chiang Khan District in Loei, described severe bank erosion and the disappearance of sandbars and backwater pools as a result of unpredictable water levels and intensified currents. The sediment buildup has wiped out over 70% of “krai” trees, vital spawning habitats for fish, leading to a dramatic reduction in native species, such as the pla phia, now reportedly down to just 20% of historical catch levels.

 

In Nong Khai, Mr. Saman Kaewphuang said villagers have lost between 6 to 7 rai of titled land due to bank collapse since 2019. Traditional fishing tools have been destroyed by unmanageable currents and formerly thriving fisheries now yield barely enough for survival. Annual fishing income has plummeted from 200,000–300,000 baht to just 5,000 baht, he noted.

 

Nakhon Phanom residents, represented by Mr. Amnat Traichak, highlighted additional strain from sand dredging operations on both the Thai and Lao sides of the river. The result: droughts in rainy seasons, floods in dry ones and the near collapse of tributary ecosystems like the Songkhram River, now clogged with invasive vegetation.

 

Traditional Ways of Life Disappearing

 

From Amnat Charoen, Mr. Surasing Thananta shared that only 7–8 families in his riverside village still fish for a living. Irregular water levels have made spawning cycles unviable, killing off vital riverside vegetation and displacing entire communities. Boats have been abandoned, and many villagers have had to seek work in cities.

 

In Ubon Ratchathani, Ms. Sompong Viengchan spoke of worsening fish scarcity at the confluence of the Mun and Mekong rivers, worsened by illegal electrofishing by Lao communities, some crossing into Thai territory. Local fishermen have dropped from over 100 households to fewer than 20, with agriculture similarly devastated by unpredictable floods and dry spells.

 

Mr. Anan Taweesuk of Mukdahan explained that even aquatic insect larvae and worms, the base of the aquatic food chain, have disappeared from the riverbed. “No food means no fish. No fish means no livelihood,” he said bluntly.

 

Pollution and Cross-Border Threats

 

In Chiang Rai, Ms. Piyanant Chitjaeng warned of arsenic and heavy metal contamination from mining in Myanmar affecting the Kok and Sai rivers, which feed into the Mekong. Recent “rain bomb” events have also caused major flash floods, while blocked river discharge points during high Mekong levels have triggered large-scale inundation.

 

Mr. Montri Janthawong, coordinator of the advocacy group The Mekong Butterfly, added that sediment data from Chiang Khong shows the Mekong is now twice as turbid in the dry season compared to just three years ago. This turbidity, possibly from upstream mining, threatens aquatic biodiversity across the lower Mekong.

 

He also noted a dramatic and irregular pattern in water level changes, caused by dam releases from China. Between February and April this year, dam discharges submerged 70–80% of key sandbanks and rocky areas used by waterbirds for nesting, severely damaging breeding cycles and contributing to the collapse of both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

 

Calls for Action and Further Investigation

 

In the afternoon session, participants discussed the energy policies tied to dam construction, including concerns over Thailand’s Power Development Plan (PDP) and questionable electricity purchasing agreements. The forum also addressed official complaints submitted to the National Human Rights Commission regarding the cross-border effects of hydropower projects and controversial water diversion schemes like the Khong–Loei–Chi–Mun project.

 

As the Mekong’s communities continue to bear the brunt of ecological disruption, the assembled network pledged coordinated efforts to preserve what remains of their river-dependent way of life and push for greater accountability from both domestic and regional stakeholders.

 

 

image.png  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-07-01

 

 

image.png

 

Asean Now Property Advertisement (1).png

The Tonle Sap Canal project will only make a bad situation worse.

Posted

Thailands friends the Chinese are also doing the same to India, Pakistan, Laos in face any country bordering the CCP

Posted
35 minutes ago, Geoffggi said:

Thailands friends the Chinese are also doing the same to India, Pakistan, Laos in face any country bordering the CCP

Friends don't poison your rivers.

Posted

Post breaking forum rules removed.

 

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