Chiang Rai, 20 August 2025 — A roundtable dialogue between the Mekong River Commission Secretariat (MRCS) and civil society, MRC-CSO Roundtable Co-creating Solutions for Transboundary Water Pollution, was held in Chiang Rai to address heavy metal contamination in the Kok, Sai, Ruak, and Mekong Rivers. The meeting brought together more than 60 participants, including government officials, civil society representatives, academics, and diplomats from Australia, Japan, the United States, and Switzerland, as MRC’s development partners.
Opening the event, MRCS Chief Executive Officer Busadee Santipitaks said the dialogue aimed to gather input from the four member countries, using scientific data to improve water quality and safeguard the health of the Mekong River. While the problem began in the Kok River, she noted, measures must be taken to prevent impacts across borders. The MRC has been holding regular regional meetings to engage stakeholders.
The first discussion focused on concerns about water quality in the Kok River. Dr. Surasri Kittimonthon, Secretary-General of Thailand’s Office of the National Water Resources, introduced the issue. A representative of the Chiang Rai Chamber of Commerce said the detection of arsenic above safe levels in the Kok River, traced to sources in Myanmar, was damaging investor and tourism confidence. She warned that if toxins accumulate in crops, agricultural standards could be undermined. She called for clearer public communication in simple language, noting that outreach has not reached ordinary people.
Kanungnitch Chueamuangphan, a geoinformatics researcher with the Provincial Waterworks Authority in Chiang Rai, said water quality management had been ongoing since severe floods last September. “Water is like a patient,” she said, pointing out that turbidity levels have remained high since then.
Head of the Chiang Rai Irrigation Users Group, said farmers were deeply concerned. “In the past, fishing was plentiful, but now fish cannot be sold. Farmers fear contamination and are turning to groundwater because they worry their crops will not sell,” he said.
MRC representative Pinida Leelapanang reported that in March, after arsenic was found in the Kok River, the MRC sent an official letter to Myanmar requesting joint water quality monitoring, including on the Mekong. Joint testing was later carried out with Lao authorities along the Thai–Lao border in Bokeo and Chiang Rai provinces. The results showed arsenic levels above standards from north of the Golden Triangle to Houayxay, opposite Chiang Khong, with an average of 0.025 mg/L. She said the MRC hopes for Myanmar’s cooperation in continuous monitoring and impact reduction, and presented a program to identify pollution sources, assess water and sediment quality, raise community awareness, and improve data sharing.
Denwut Chantakhati, mayor of Koh Chang Subdistrict in Mae Sai, criticized the government for prioritizing trade over social issues. “Mining has brought suffering to people while state budgets go to projects that do not address the real problems,” he said. “The question is whether in five or ten years these water problems for drinking and household use can be solved.”
Niwat Roykaew, chair of the Rak Chiang Khong conservation group, presented a Mekong Basin map showing numerous mining sites, including two rare earth mines at the headwaters of the Kok, one at the Sai, and dozens more on Mekong tributaries in Laos. He urged the MRC to gather comprehensive data. “This is not a minor issue, it is a regional, transboundary problem,” he said. “Without clear data, we cannot negotiate. The MRC must also link with the Lancang–Mekong Cooperation framework led by China, which will hold a meeting in December.”
The map was produced by the Stimson Center, a U.S. policy research institute that has collected satellite data on Mekong mining, particularly rare earths. It identified 483 rare earth mines in Southeast Asia, with most located in Myanmar and northern Laos, as well as Vietnam. In addition to Kachin State, more than 20 rare earth mines were found at the headwaters of the Loi River in Shan State, which flows into the Mekong.
Reporters noted that the map referenced by Mr. Niwat originates from the Stimson Center, a U.S.-based policy research institute that has collected extensive data on the Mekong River. The Center has also compiled information on mining operations through satellite imagery, with a particular focus on rare earth mines. According to its findings, there are 483 rare earth mines across Southeast Asia, with the highest concentrations located in Myanmar and northern Laos, as well as in Vietnam. In addition to Kachin State, the study revealed that more than 20 rare earth mines are located near the headwaters of the Lei River in Shan State, which flows directly into the Mekong.
Pianporn Deetes of International Rivers said the MRC should coordinate to negotiate with Myanmar and China to stop illegal mining, the main source of cross-border pollution. She called for the establishment of heavy metal monitoring stations along the Mekong to provide timely information to basin communities. She also warned that the planned Pak Beng Dam project in Laos would worsen the problem. “The MRC must take the lead in conducting impact studies, setting up monitoring stations, and postponing Pak Beng dam construction until the studies are complete, to avoid irreversible ecological and public health harm,” she said.
Suebsakun Kidnukorn of Mae Fah Luang University said the region is now facing complex transboundary risks. He stressed that the issue involves non-state actors such as the United Wa State Army (UWSA), while local civil society continues working daily to seek cooperation. “We must stop saying contamination is within safe limits. People have the right to know,” he said. “The real solution is permanent mine closures and negotiations with China, Myanmar, the Wa, and the United States. Are we afraid of someone? Floods now will come with toxins — how should people cope? We need a heavy metal testing center in Chiang Rai and transparency in monitoring.”
Sibella Stern, First Secretary at the Australian Embassy in Bangkok, said the MRC has a vital role to play as this is a transboundary problem. She encouraged member states to use the MRC for data and dialogue with Myanmar and China, and to work closely with civil society and affected communities. She cited Australia’s own experience with toxic mine legacies such as the Bendigo gold mines, abandoned over a hundred years ago but still leaving arsenic contamination. She noted that Australia and New Zealand’s national water quality guidelines emphasize dialogue, participation, and equity among all users of river resources.
On the same day, Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong,, and Deputy Interior Minister Teerarat Samretwanich visited Naypyidaw with a delegation to meet Myanmar’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, U Khin Maung Yi. They discussed strengthening cooperation on environmental protection and sustainable water management.
Prasert said the meeting produced three outcomes: both sides reaffirmed their commitment to environmental and water cooperation; they agreed on the need for more frequent dialogue; and they discussed creating a Joint Technical Working Group to promote concrete cooperation. He added that the priority would be addressing contamination in rivers such as the Kok and Sai, which has already disrupted local livelihoods.
This is a translation of original Thai article, https://transbordernews.in.th/home/?p=43600
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