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Toxin Found in Kok River, Chiang Rai Beach Songkran Suffers Low Tourist Turnout

Toxin Found in Kok River, Chiang Rai Beach Songkran Suffers Low Tourist Turnout

MGR Online•Society•6h ago

Reader Briefing

Heavy metal contamination in the Kok River has significantly impacted the annual Songkran festival at Chiang Rai Beach, leading to a sharp decline in tourist numbers and causing economic hardship for local vendors.

  • •Heavy metal and arsenic contamination has been detected in the Kok River, affecting the popular Chiang Rai Beach during Songkran.
  • •Tourist numbers at Chiang Rai Beach have drastically decreased, with many vendors experiencing very low customer traffic since the festival began on April 1st.
  • •The local government has issued warnings advising the public to avoid contact with the river water for all purposes, including bathing and consumption, until safety is confirmed.

Overview

  • •On April 1, 2026, the situation at Chiang Rai Beach began to see a significant decline.
  • •Today, April 13, 2026, is the first day of the Songkran festival, with a noticeably quiet atmosphere at Chiang Rai Beach.
  • •Heavy metal and arsenic contamination exceeding standards has been detected in the Kok River, resulting in health concerns.
  • •The Subdistrict Administrative Organization (อบต.) Rounding Wei has posted notices along the riverbank advising people to avoid contact with the Kok River water due to contamination.
  • •Vendors at Chiang Rai Beach have experienced a severe drop in customers, with some shops operating with only one row of stalls instead of the usual three.
  • •Daily customer numbers for some vendors have dropped to as low as 3 tables, causing significant financial strain.
  • •The Subdistrict Administrative Organization (อบต.) Rounding Wei has advised the public to avoid using the river for washing, bathing, or for pets, and to report any unusual symptoms to a doctor.
  • •Authorities are awaiting official confirmation of water safety from relevant agencies before lifting the warnings.

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Key Quotes

Sellers at Chiang Rai Beach
"Normally every year, there are many tourists playing Songkran water here, shops lined up in 3 rows, but this year only one row."
ตามปกติทุกปีจะมีนักท่องเที่ยวมาเล่นน้ำสงกรานต์หาดเชียงรายเป็นจำนวนมาก จนต้องมีการจัดร้านค้าริมน้ำเป็น 3 แถว แต่ปีนี้ลดลงเหลือเพียงแถวเดียว
Sellers at Chiang Rai Beach
"Some days only have 3 tables of customers, never encountered anything like this before."
บางวันมีลูกค้าแค่ 3 โต๊ะ ซึ่งไม่เคยพบเจอเหตุการณ์แบบนี้มาก่อน

Key Entities

Place

Kok River(แม่น้ำกก)
The river in Chiang Rai where heavy metal contamination has been detected, impacting tourism during Songkran.
Chiang Rai Beach(หาดเชียงราย)
A popular tourist destination in Chiang Rai that has experienced a sharp decline in visitors due to river contamination during Songkran.

Organization

Rounding Wei Subdistrict Administrative Organization(อบต. รอบเวียง)
The local government body that has issued warnings regarding the contamination of the Kok River.

Person

Mr. Wanchana Thaokaenchan(นายวันชนะ ท้าวแก่นจันทร์)
The President of the Rounding Wei Subdistrict Administrative Organization who has posted public notices about the river contamination.

Policy

Arsenic(สารหนู)
A heavy metal detected in the Kok River exceeding safety standards, posing a health risk.