Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

Thailand News and Discussion Forum | ASEANNOW

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

Australia Backs Thailand on Mekong Cross-Border Water Pollution

Featured Replies

Thailand has secured support from Australia to tackle cross-border water pollution affecting rivers linked to the Mekong basin, with a focus on contamination flowing from mining activities in Myanmar. On 20 April 2026, Pollution Control Department chief Surin Worakittharom said the government is prioritising measures to prevent and resolve transboundary pollution impacting key waterways. These include the Kok, Sai, Ruak, Mekong, Salween and Kraburi rivers, where water quality and ecosystems have been affected.

Get today's headlines by email image.png

The Thai government is pursuing a multi-pronged approach, including monitoring, source control, international negotiations and partnerships with other countries. The aim is to achieve concrete and sustainable solutions that restore water quality and protect ecosystems relied upon by local communities. Authorities have highlighted arsenic contamination linked to mining operations as a particular concern in surface water sources.

image.jpeg

Recent talks between the Pollution Control Department and the Australian Embassy in Thailand focused on strengthening regional cooperation. Participants included First Secretary Sibella Stern, senior programme manager Dr Rattamanee Ongskul from the embassy’s development division and representatives from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The discussions were aimed at advancing collaborative frameworks to address transboundary water pollution more effectively.

Australia, through the Australian Water Partnership (AWP), has offered technical support to enhance Thailand’s capacity to prevent, monitor and manage water pollution. This includes providing Australian experts and jointly developing Terms of Reference tailored to Thailand’s needs. The initiative is intended to build long-term capability and improve environmental governance in affected regions.

Officials stressed that international cooperation is essential to resolving cross-border pollution, particularly where upstream activities in neighbouring countries affect downstream water quality. The collaboration is also expected to support a transition towards more responsible industrial practices in the region, improving environmental outcomes and public health.

Thaitabloid reported that Thailand plans to hold further meetings involving the Office of the National Water Resources and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to refine project proposals and expand their scope. The next phase will focus on aligning technical assistance with national priorities and ensuring comprehensive coverage of affected river systems.

image.png

Pictures courtesy of Thaitabloid

Join the discussion? image.png

Already a member? image.png

image.png Adapted by ASEAN Now Thaitabloid 21 Apr 2026


View full article

As the article points out, the real issue isn't a lack of "technical capability" or "governance", it’s a lack of accountability for the toxic contamination flowing from Myanmar. Australian technical support is not going to help much in the lawless border zones where these mostly-Chinese mining companies operate.

Thailand's interests would be far better served by putting much more pressure on China. The Business and Human Rights Resource Centre has made it clear that the pollution comes from Chinese-backed mines that "are no longer allowed to operate in China".

In response to criticism from protestors in northern Thailand, the Chinese Embassy in Thailand issues a statement in which is said "The Chinese side attaches great importance to the incident of heavy metal contamination in tributaries of the Mekong River in Thailand. We have noted recent inspection reports issued by the Thai government and relevant local agencies".

It also suggested that China supports enhanced communication and coordination between Thailand and Myanmar, encouraging a scientific, responsible investigation and a resolution through friendly dialogue.

For the Chinese Embassy to suggest that Thailand and Myanmar simply "work together" to fix this is a cynical response! It simply ignores the fundamental reality reported by Al Jazeera (7 Aug 2025) that "China is the sole destination for these minerals. If China stopped accepting ore from unregulated, toxic mines at its border, the pollution would stop tomorrow".

As the only buyer and refiner, China must be held responsible for the supply chain it controls.

^ As soon as China stopped accepting ore , others will swoop in to do so.

Create an account or sign in to comment

Recently Browsing 0

  • No registered users viewing this page.

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.