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Toxic Crisis Contaminates Mae Sai River, Affecting Farmers and Land

Toxic Crisis Contaminates Mae Sai River, Affecting Farmers and Land

Khaosod•Society•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Farmers in Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district are facing severe hardship due to heavy metal contamination in the Mae Sai and Ruak rivers, impacting over 60,000 rai of agricultural land.

  • •Heavy metal contamination (arsenic, lead, cadmium) from neighboring countries' mining activities has polluted the Mae Sai and Ruak rivers.
  • •Over 60,500 rai of farmland across five sub-districts in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai, are affected, impacting crops like potatoes, sweet corn, and garlic.
  • •Farmers are demanding solutions for clean water access, with proposals including diverting water from the Mae Kam reservoir.
  • •The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is exploring methods to prevent toxin absorption into plants and establish safe farming zone certifications.

Overview

  • •Over 60,500 rai of agricultural land in five sub-districts of Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai, are affected by heavy metal contamination in the Mae Sai and Ruak rivers.
  • •Heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, and cadmium, originating from mining activities in neighboring countries, have contaminated the rivers and soil.
  • •On May 29, 2026, Mr. Thongkham Inprom presented a petition to Ms. Piyarat Chayothai, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, following a May 25, 2026 incident.
  • •Mr. Thongkham Inprom stated that if the problem is not addressed, long-term accumulation will have significant negative consequences.
  • •Ms. Piyarat Chayothai ordered the Chiang Rai Irrigation Project to study the feasibility of increasing water supply to areas outside its service boundaries.
  • •The Department of Land Development has detected heavy metal accumulation in some agricultural soils within 2 kilometers of the Mae Sai River, with contamination levels sometimes higher away from the riverbanks.
  • •The Department of Land Development will conduct soil sampling and analysis 2-3 times a year and develop risk zoning maps (green, yellow, red).
  • •The Mae Kam Reservoir project has passed its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and is awaiting Cabinet approval, with updated cost evaluations anticipated due to rising expenses.

Full article content is available on the original source.

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Key Quotes

Thongkham Inprom
"If the child doesn't cry, no one knows it wants milk. If we don't say what we need, how will anyone know?"
ลูกบ่ไห้ ก็บ่มีใครฮู้ว่าอยากกินนม เฮาบ่อู้ว่าเฮาต้องการอะหยังแล้วไผจะไปฮู้
Piyarat Chayothai
"Consumer confidence in produce has not yet emerged. We need supportive standards and safe criteria to confirm products are free of residue, so I ask everyone to brainstorm ideas."
ความเชื่อมั่นของผู้ซื้อผลผลิตยังไม่เกิด เราต้องมีมาตรฐานมารองรับ มีเกณฑ์ที่ปลอดภัยยืนยันว่าสินค้าไม่มีสารตกค้าง จึงขอให้ทุกฝ่ายช่วยกันระดมไอเดีย

Key Entities

Organization

Department of Land Development(กรมพัฒนาที่ดิน)
Responsible for detecting and analyzing heavy metal contamination in agricultural soils.
Chiang Rai Irrigation Project(โครงการชลประทานเชียงราย)
Tasked with studying the feasibility of increasing water supply to areas outside its current service boundaries.
Koh Chang Subdistrict Administrative Organization(อบต.เกาะช้าง)
Local administrative body representing residents of Koh Chang, affected by flood-related irrigation issues.
Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning(กรมโยธาธิการและผังเมือง)
Responsible for the long-term master plan including the renovation of irrigation canal water gate systems.

Person

Piyarat Chayothai(ปิยะรัฐชย์)
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives who received a petition regarding river contamination.
Mr. Thongkham Inprom(นายทองคำ อินพรหม)
Chairman of the Mueang Chum Water User Group, representing farmers affected by river contamination.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives(รมช.เกษตรและสหกรณ์)
Official overseeing the response to agricultural contamination issues, directing studies and solutions.
Mr. Taweechai Kowtrakul(นายทวีชัย โค้วตระกูล)
Director of the Chiang Rai Irrigation Project, explaining technical limitations regarding water distribution.
Pol. Capt. Denvut Chantakatti(ร.ต.อ.เด่นวุฒิ จันต๊ะขัติ)
Mayor of Koh Chang Subdistrict Administrative Organization, highlighting the impact of floods on irrigation canals.
Mr. Chaiyont Srisamut(นายชัยยนต์ ศรีสมุทร)
Working Committee member for the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, clarifying long-term infrastructure plans.

Place

Mae Sai River(แม่น้ำสาย)
A river in Chiang Rai province contaminated with heavy metals, affecting agricultural areas.
Mae Sai District(อ.แม่สาย)
District in Chiang Rai province where over 60,000 rai of agricultural land are affected by river contamination.
Chiang Rai Province(จ.เชียงราย)ℹ️
Province in Thailand where the Mae Sai River and its agricultural areas are experiencing toxic contamination.
Ruak River(แม่น้ำรวก)
A river in Chiang Rai province contaminated with heavy metals, contributing to agricultural land pollution.
Mae Kam Reservoir(อ่างเก็บน้ำแม่คำ)
A planned reservoir that farmers are hoping to draw clean water from to mitigate contamination.