CHIANG RAI – The Marine Department has carried out dredging in the Lao River in Mae Suai District, Chiang Rai, to help prevent floods and drought. This project supports over 600 local families and protects more than 1,000 rai of farmland.
The department reported that the Waterway Development Office 7 and its dredging unit have used two excavators, code Chom 8 and Chom 12, for this work in Tha Ko Subdistrict. They widened the riverbed to 40 to 60 metres for a length of 1,500 metres, removing about 30,000 cubic metres of sediment.
On 31 August 2025, both excavators continued the dredging, clearing debris and weeds, and reshaping the riverbanks from kilometre marker 126+500 to 128+000—covering a total distance of 1,500 metres.
This has increased the river’s capacity to handle more water in the rainy season and improved water supply for farming and daily use.
The work also helps reduce flooding, riverbank erosion, and encroachment. Around 664 households in Tha Ko and nearby subdistricts now benefit from this project, along with almost 1,221 rai of farmland.
In addition, the Waterway Development Office 7 and the Tha Ko Subdistrict Administrative Organization ran a volunteer initiative in honour of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s birthday.
Volunteers planted 30,000 vetiver grass, 250 teak trees, and 250 eucalyptus trees at the dredging site in Tha Ko, Mae Suai District, to support the local environment and strengthen the riverbanks.
About the Mae Lao River
The Mae Lao River flows through Chiang Rai Province in northern Thailand. It starts in the Phi Pan Nam Range, heading north across Wiang Pa Pao District, before moving northeast through Mae Suai, Mae Lao, and Mueang Chiang Rai districts.
The river joins the Kok River near Sum Pratu in Mueang Chiang Rai District. The river shares its name with Mae Lao District and acts as a main tributary for the Kok River, which eventually connects to the Mekong River.
As it passes just south of Chiang Rai city, the Mae Lao River plays a big part in the local water system. It supports farming in the region and helps irrigate rice paddies, especially those that draw water from a small dam found east of the city centre.
The area around the river is known for its natural beauty, with gentle hills and limestone cliffs to the west and northwest, making it a draw for visitors. Yet the Mae Lao River, like the nearby Kok River, has faced some environmental struggles.
Since early 2025, there have been reports of heavy metal pollution, especially arsenic, linked to mining upstream in Myanmar’s Shan State. These issues have sparked concerns about water safety and have affected fishing, wildlife, and tourism in the area.
