Transborder News, March 16, 2025 – Concerns are mounting over gold mining operations along the Kok River in southern Shan State, Myanmar, near the Thai border. According to Tosaporn Samnorwong, assistant village headman of Moo 14, Tha Ton subdistrict, Mae Ai district, Chiang Mai, Chinese-backed mining activities permitted by the United Wa State Army (UWSA) are causing severe environmental damage. Residents with family ties across the border report that at least 23 companies are engaged in mining, particularly gold extraction, near the village of Hung, approximately 36 kilometers from the Thai border.
Tosaporn warned that sediment and mineral runoff from the mining operations have turned the Kok River murky, worsening pollution that previously stemmed from industrial rubber waste. Since last year, gold mining has significantly intensified the environmental degradation.
“Residents report that all mining waste flows directly into the Kok River. Yet, no government agency has assessed water quality or addressed public concerns. The Chinese mining groups appear to be the same ones operating near the Sai River’s source. Attempts to gather information have been difficult due to heavy security restrictions. Even local villagers in Shan State are barred from entering, as the area is under UWSA control,” Tosaporn said.
The pollution has directly impacted Tha Ton residents, who rely on the Kok River for daily use. Despite the dry season, when the water is typically clear, it remains heavily sedimented. Some villagers who bathed in the river have developed rashes and allergic reactions, while many have stopped using the water out of fear. Some households have turned to alternative water sources, such as mountain springs.
“This issue emerged last year, but we only recently became aware of the scale of gold mining upstream. During last year’s Songkran festival, people who swam in the Kok River developed severe skin rashes and had to seek medical treatment. We are concerned this could happen again, and authorities should step in to assess water quality and issue public warnings,” Tosaporn added.
He urged Thai authorities to negotiate with Myanmar to halt mining operations, warning that they threaten local water supplies. The Kok River is a crucial water source for many communities, including those that depend on it for municipal water supply.
On March 14, over 700 residents of Tha Ton staged a demonstration advocating for the protection of the Kok River. As part of the International Day of Action for Rivers, they marched to the river to raise awareness about the environmental and humanitarian impacts of unchecked mining. Protesters called for urgent action to prevent further ecological destruction.
A statement released during the protest detailed the ongoing expansion of gold mining in the Yon area of Shan State. Large-scale operations began in 2023 under UWSA control, leading to unprecedented environmental damage. During the September 2024 floods, the Tai Yai village of Piang Kam was inundated with mud, while villages along the Thai border, including Tha Ton and others in northern Chiang Mai province, suffered severe impacts.
The statement highlighted that gold mining has expanded rapidly in recent months. Chinese miners are operating along hillsides and riverbanks, using dredging boats to extract gold directly from the Kok River. Toxic chemicals such as cyanide, used in gold extraction, have reportedly contaminated the water, causing turbidity and pollution. This has led to a drastic decline in fish populations and made the river unsafe for household use.
Community leaders in Mae Ai confirmed that mining activities have intensified, resulting in widespread deforestation. Since 2007, large-scale land clearing has occurred as the Wa ethnic group and Chinese investors expanded rubber plantations.
“The Wa migrated here and planted vast rubber plantations, blasting mountains to clear land. Chinese miners followed,” said a local leader in Mae Ai.
He explained that the Wa, originally from Panghsang (the Wa State capital), have expanded their territory unchecked. Once, Yon was home to the Tai Yai and other indigenous groups who preserved forests and water sources. However, war forced them to flee, and today, the area is dominated by Wa settlers.
“Now, the entire town of Yon is Wa. The Kok River is heavily polluted due to gold mining by both Chinese companies and the Wa. Normally, during the dry season from December to February, the water is clear, but now it is completely muddy—this is alarming,” he added.
The Kok River originates in the northern mountains of Myanmar’s Shan State, flowing into Thailand at Tha Ton, Mae Ai district, Chiang Mai, before reaching Chiang Rai and eventually merging with the Mekong River at Chiang Saen. Spanning approximately 285 kilometers, the river serves as a crucial water source, particularly for communities in Fang district, Chiang Mai, and Mueang district, Chiang Rai.
Please see original Thai-language articles,
https://transbordernews.in.th/home/?p=41722
