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Sihasak visits Myanmar on transboundary pollution

Sihasak visits Myanmar on transboundary pollution

Matichon•Politics•14m ago

Reader Briefing

Thailand coordinates with Myanmar and China to address transboundary water pollution and arsenic risks in Chiang Rai.

  • •Sihasak Phuangketkeow traveled to Myanmar on November 12 to discuss border fighting and transboundary river pollution.
  • •Thailand and China plan to sign an MOU to support an environmental toxin laboratory at Mae Fah Luang University.
  • •Chiang Rai provincial authorities are warning citizens about arsenic contamination in water sources.

Overview

  • •Ekkaphop Phianphiset announced that the Prime Minister of the People's Republic of China will visit Thailand to sign an MOU for an environmental toxin lab at Mae Fah Luang University.
  • •The Pollution Control Department found water quality issues on the Thai side, while Myanmar has not yet conducted tests or provided data to local citizens.
  • •The government approved a budget to move the water production source for Chiang Rai from the Kok River to the Lao River.
  • •Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, traveled to Myanmar on November 12 with military and Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment teams.
  • •Ekkaphop Phianphiset stated the discussion framework with Myanmar focuses on border fighting and transboundary pollution from mining in Myanmar.
  • •Inchon Unnoi, Deputy Provincial Public Health Officer of Chiang Rai, coordinated with Mae Sai District Village Health Volunteers to communicate water safety risks to citizens.
  • •Village Health Volunteers conducted door-to-door activities in Ban Mae Sai, Village No. 1, Wiang Phang Kham Subdistrict, Mae Sai District to warn against arsenic risks in water.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Office of the Village Health Volunteers of Mae Sai District
"Be aware of arsenic risks in water sources, choose water wisely, and increase preventive management."
รู้ทันความเสี่ยงสารหนูในแหล่งน้ำ เลือกใช้น้ำ เพิ่มการจัดการป้องกันได้

Key Entities

Person

Sihasak Phuangketkeow(สีหศักดิ์ พวงเกตุแก้ว)ℹ️
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs who traveled to Myanmar on November 12.
Ekkaphop Phianphiset(เอกภพ เพียรพิเศษ)
Spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister.
Inchon Unnoi(อินชัย อุ่นหน้อย)
Deputy Provincial Public Health Officer of Chiang Rai.

Organization

Mae Fah Luang University(มหาวิทยาลัยแม่ฟ้าหลวง)ℹ️
The institution where a joint environmental toxin laboratory with China will be supported.
Pollution Control Department(กรมควบคุมมลพิษ)ℹ️
The agency that inspected water quality and discussed issues with Myanmar.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs(กระทรวงการต่างประเทศ)ℹ️
The ministry that led ASEAN in initiating talks with Myanmar.
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment(กระทรวงทรัพยากรธรรมชาติและสิ่งแวดล้อม)ℹ️
The ministry that accompanied Sihasak Phuangketkeow to Myanmar.
Chiang Rai Provincial Public Health Office(สำนักงานสาธารณสุขจังหวัดเชียงราย)
The office that coordinated water safety communication in Mae Sai District.
ASEAN(อาเซียน)ℹ️
The regional organization that began discussions with Myanmar after its internal conflict.
People's Republic of China(สาธารณรัฐประชาชนจีน)ℹ️
The country whose Prime Minister is visiting Thailand to sign an MOU on environmental laboratories.

Place

Myanmar(เมียนมา)ℹ️
The country where the Kok and Sai rivers originate and where mining causes transboundary pollution.
Chiang Rai Province(จ.เชียงราย)ℹ️
The Thai province facing water pollution and arsenic contamination issues.
Kok River(แม่น้ำกก)ℹ️
A river originating in Myanmar that served as a former water production source for Chiang Rai.
Sai River(แม่น้ำสาย)
A river originating in Myanmar mentioned in the context of water system connectivity plans.
Lao River(แม่น้ำลาว)
The new water production source for Chiang Rai.
Mekong River(แม่น้ำโขง)ℹ️
A river mentioned as part of the planned integrated water system.
Mae Sai District(อำเภอแม่สาย)ℹ️
The district in Chiang Rai where arsenic risk communication activities were conducted.