Yotsanan Tackles Kok and Sai River Contamination

Thansettakij•Economy•1h ago

Reader Briefing

Deputy Prime Minister Yotsanan Wongswasdi is coordinating with China and Myanmar to identify the sources of contaminants in the Kok and Sai Rivers.

•Deputy Prime Minister Yotsanan Wongswasdi is seeking regional cooperation with China and Myanmar to investigate water contamination in the Kok and Sai Rivers.
•The Thai government is pushing for a joint working group with Myanmar and China to ensure comprehensive inspection across all affected areas.
•Domestic measures include preparing backup water sources, treating water quality, and studying the installation of sediment-trapping weirs for arsenic.
•Pakphum Phonphisit, Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce in Chiang Rai, expressed concern over health impacts and economic confidence in the province.

•Yotsanan Wongswasdi is coordinating with domestic agencies, China, and Myanmar to analyze water and sediment quality to identify the source of contaminants.
•Yotsanan Wongswasdi intends to establish a joint working group consisting of Myanmar, China, and relevant agencies for comprehensive monitoring.
•The Thai government is providing water quality test kits to local agencies and citizens for rapid preliminary screening.
•Yotsanan Wongswasdi is collaborating with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to form a team to collect research and scientific evidence.
•The Thai government is studying the scientific feasibility of building weirs to trap arsenic-contaminated sediment at the headwaters.
•Pakphum Phonphisit stated that the private sector is highly concerned as contamination affects public health and business confidence in Chiang Rai.
•Yotsanan Wongswasdi considers bringing the issue of transboundary water resource management to the ASEAN forum.
•Affected provinces have already prepared backup water sources and replacement water supplies for the public.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Yotsanan Wongswasdi(ยศชนัน วงศ์สวัสดิ์)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation who oversees the northern region.

Pakphum Phonphisit(ภาคภูมิ ผลพิสิษฐ์)

Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce in Chiang Rai Province.

Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation(กระทรวงการอุดมศึกษา วิทยาศาสตร์ วิจัยและนวัตกรรม)ℹ️

The ministry led by Yotsanan Wongswasdi.

Thai Chamber of Commerce in Chiang Rai Province(หอการค้าไทยจังหวัดเชียงราย)

A private sector organization representing businesses in Chiang Rai.

Department of Science Service(กรมวิทยาศาสตร์บริการ)

An agency providing support for scientific analysis and water quality testing.

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment(กระทรวงทรัพยากรธรรมชาติและสิ่งแวดล้อม)ℹ️

A ministry coordinating with the government to collect research and scientific evidence for solving water problems.

ASEAN(อาเซียน)ℹ️

A regional forum where the issue of transboundary water resource management may be discussed.

Kok River(แม่น้ำกก)ℹ️

A river affected by toxic contamination.

Sai River(แม่น้ำสาย)

A river affected by toxic contamination.

China(จีน)ℹ️

A country whose cooperation is sought to investigate and resolve river contamination.

Myanmar(เมียนมา)ℹ️

A country whose cooperation is sought to investigate and resolve river contamination.

Chiang Rai Province(จังหวัดเชียงราย)ℹ️

The affected province where the Kok and Sai Rivers are located.