CHIANG RAI -After concerns about arsenic in the Kok River earlier this year, researchers from the Synchrotron Light Research Institute worked with teams from Chiang Rai Rajabhat University and the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) to test river water samples. The results showed that the arsenic and other metals found in the water can be treated.
A science team from the institute, led by Dr Suttipong Wannaphaiboon (head of the Crystal Structure Study section), travelled to Chiang Rai with engineers and technicians. Their goal was to understand how local communities use water and to choose suitable sites for installing treatment systems to reduce arsenic and heavy metals in areas that rely on water from the Kok River and the Sai River.
The field visit also included support from Dr Anythika Pranattha (Ubon Ratchathani University), Asst Prof Dr Nion Sirimongkollertkul (Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Chiang Rai), and Ajarn Wattana Panyamaneesorn (Chiang Rai Rajabhat University), who joined the on-site assessments.
During the visit, the group met the Mayor of Mae Sai Subdistrict Municipality and local officials to discuss safe management of drinking and household water. They also shared monitoring results on contamination and outlined next steps for a technology project focused on removing arsenic and heavy metals.
The team also spoke with the Deputy Permanent Secretary of Mae Yao Subdistrict Municipality and the public works unit about flood-affected areas, plus the local water supply systems that draw from the Kok River and nearby groundwater sources.
The team inspected several key water systems in the target areas, including the groundwater supply at Ban Mueang Daeng School, the community water supply at Ban Mueang Ngim, the community system at the Farm Phanthakit village, and the reserve water and municipal supply system in Mae Yao. These checks will support planning for filter installations to treat groundwater near contaminated sources.
The Synchrotron Light Research Institute will continue this work with Khon Kaen University, Ubon Ratchathani University, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna (Chiang Rai), and Chiang Rai Rajabhat University to install water treatment systems and reduce arsenic and heavy-metal contamination in local water supplies.
