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Mae Sai residents demand Myanmar fix river toxicity

Mae Sai residents demand Myanmar fix river toxicity

Matichon•Society•35m ago

Reader Briefing

Residents and networks in Mae Sai District are demanding that Thailand, Myanmar, and China resolve transboundary water contamination caused by mining in Myanmar.

  • •On November 13, the People's Network to Protect Kok, Sai, Ruak, and Mekong Rivers held a press conference at Tham Pha Chom Community in Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai.
  • •The Sai River is reported to be turbid and contaminated with heavy metals, including arsenic, affecting water production and agriculture.
  • •The contamination is linked to mining activities in Myanmar, specifically mentioning operations in Tachileik and the Wa region.
  • •Proposed solutions include stopping the import of minerals from Myanmar and stopping the export of mining machinery and chemicals.

Overview

  • •The Sai River at Tham Pha Chom remains turbid despite continuous rain, causing residents to fear ongoing mining and toxic discharge from Myanmar.
  • •Dr. Orawan Wongsombat stated that high arsenic levels in the Sai River affect health, ecosystems, and agriculture, increasing cancer risks.
  • •People in the area reported that mud began flowing into the river since 2021 after mining started in Myanmar, with heavy metals detected over 23 times.
  • •Mining operators in Tachileik number over 20, while Chinese private firms and the United Wa State Army (UWSA) are attempting large-scale tungsten mining in the Wa region.
  • •Mr. Suebsakun Kij-nukorn suggested the Thai government stop importing tin, zinc, manganese, and tungsten from Myanmar to cut the environmental destruction cycle.
  • •Ms. Janjira Kanittharom requested the government communicate timely warnings to residents and find new water sources to replace contaminated water.
  • •Ms. Monthicha Chaiban has proposed the construction of the Mae Kham Reservoir to the Water Management Committee and relevant ministries to provide backup water.
  • •Mr. Thongkham Inprom warned that if the toxicity is not resolved, it could lead to the collapse of the economy in Mae Sai and Chiang Rai.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Entities

Person

Dr. Orawan Wongsombat(พญ.อรวรรณ วงศ์สมบัติ)
A resident of Mae Sai District affected by arsenic in the Sai River.
Mr. Suebsakun Kij-nukorn(นายสืบสกุล กิจนุกร)
A lecturer at the School of Interdisciplinary and International Studies, Mae Fah Luang University.
Ms. Janjira Kanittharom(นางสาวจันทร์จิรา กนิษฐารมย์)
The village head of Mae Sai.
Sergeant First Class Pongpreeda Panjakhan(สิบเอกพงศ์ปรีดา ปัญจขันธ์)
The village head of Muang Daeng Tai, Moo 1, Mae Sai Subdistrict.
Mr. Thongkham Inprom(นายทองคำ อินพรม)
The chairman of the Mae Sai Water User Farmers Group.
Ms. Monthicha Chaiban(นางมลธิชา ไชยบาล)
A Member of Parliament for Chiang Rai, Constituency 6.

Organization

People's Network to Protect Kok, Sai, Ruak, and Mekong Rivers(เครือข่ายประชาชนปกป้องแม่น้ำ กก สาย รวก โขง)
A network that organized a press conference to demand solutions for transboundary river contamination.
Mae Fah Luang University(มหาวิทยาลัยแม่ฟ้าหลวง)ℹ️
The institution where Mr. Suebsakun Kij-nukorn is a lecturer.
United Wa State Army (UWSA)(กองทัพว้า (UWSA))
A group collaborating with Chinese private firms to conduct tungsten mining in the Wa region.

Place

Mae Sai District(อ.แม่สาย)ℹ️
The area in Chiang Rai Province affected by the contaminated Sai River.
Chiang Rai Province(จ.เชียงราย)ℹ️
The province where Mae Sai District is located.
Tachileik District(จ.ท่าขี้เหล็ก)ℹ️
An area in Myanmar with over 20 mining operators.
Muang Sat(เมืองสาด)
A town in the Wa region where tungsten mining is being attempted.
Sai River(แม่น้ำสาย)
The river flowing through the Thai-Myanmar border contaminated by mining.
Tham Pha Chom Community(ชุมชนถ้ำผาจม)
The location where the press conference was held.