Toxic water contamination risks 44,731 households in 4 provinces

Thansettakij•Economy•17m ago

Reader Briefing

Kasikorn Research Center warns that toxic contamination in rivers across four provinces is impacting fisheries, agriculture, and tourism.

•Toxic contamination affects rivers in Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Prachinburi, and Chachoengsao.
•44,731 households in the freshwater fishing sector are impacted, with losses totaling hundreds of millions of baht per year.
•Super El Niño conditions are expected to hinder river restoration from late 2026 through the first half of 2027.

•Freshwater fisheries in Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Prachinburi, and Chachoengsao caught 4,256 tons of aquatic animals valued at 252.4 million baht according to 2025 Department of Fisheries data.
•Toxic contamination affects 44,731 households and extends to farmers using natural water sources and the tourism sector.
•Kasikorn Research Center warns that failures to stop contamination at the source and restore ecosystems could lead to unquantifiable economic and social damages.
•Potential contamination spread may reach other rivers, including the Mekong River and Bang Pakong River.
•Water quality for consumption, including tap and groundwater, as well as industrial and agricultural water, faces contamination risks.
•Kasikorn Research Center identifies risks to food security, public health, and Thailand's business competitiveness and tourism image.
•Super El Niño is projected to cause severe hot and dry weather from late 2026 through the first half of 2027.
•Low rainfall and water levels during the predicted drought may prevent the diversion of water to dilute toxic concentrations.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Kasikorn Research Center(ศูนย์วิจัยกสิกรไทย)

An organization that evaluated the economic impact of river contamination and provided warnings regarding Super El Niño.

Department of Fisheries(กรมประมง)

The government agency that provided 2025 data on freshwater fisheries in the affected provinces.

Chiang Rai(เชียงราย)ℹ️

One of the four provinces facing river toxic contamination issues.

Chiang Mai(เชียงใหม่)ℹ️

One of the four provinces facing river toxic contamination issues.

Prachinburi(ปราจีนบุรี)ℹ️

One of the four provinces facing river toxic contamination issues.

Chachoengsao(ฉะเชิงเทรา)ℹ️

One of the four provinces facing river toxic contamination issues.

Mekong River(แม่น้ำโขง)ℹ️

A river at risk of the spread of toxic contamination.

Bang Pakong River(แม่น้ำบางปะกง)ℹ️

A river at risk of the spread of toxic contamination.