CHIANG RAI – A community network is urging Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the next government team to move quickly on concerns about heavy metal contamination linked to Chinese-backed mining operations in Shan State, Myanmar.
The group says pollution may be spreading through key waterways, including the Kok, Sai, Ruak, and Mekong rivers, and could affect drinking water, crops, fish, and public health across Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai.
Late last week, representatives from the People’s Network to Protect the Kok, Sai, Ruak, and Mekong Rivers submitted a formal letter via Chiang Rai Governor Choochip Pongchaiy. The signers included Raksdao Pritchard and Dr. Suebsakul Kitnukorn, who asked the prime minister to take direct action on what they describe as an urgent cross-border pollution problem.
In the letter, the network listed several heavy metals it says have been detected or are suspected in the river system, including arsenic, lead, mercury, chromium, barium, manganese, copper, and nickel. According to the group, contamination may appear not only in the water itself, but also in river sediment, farm produce (vegetables and rice), fish, and even treated tap water.
As a result, residents throughout the watershed in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai may face long-term exposure risks. The group warned that ongoing exposure could lead to illness tied to heavy metal intake.
Arsenic monitoring exists, but the network says gaps remain
The network acknowledged that government agencies have been monitoring chemical levels on a regular basis. However, it said the work still lacks coordination across agencies. It also pointed to communication problems with the public, plus limits in funding and testing equipment.
The network referenced an earlier field visit by Suchart Chomklin, the acting deputy prime minister and minister of natural resources and environment, who had promised to move the response forward. However, after the dissolution of the House of Representatives, the network said the effort slowed down, and talks with Myanmar, the alleged source area, showed no clear progress.
The network asked the prime minister to visit Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai to hear directly from local communities and agencies, then work on solutions with residents.
It also called on Thailand to stop allowing transit imports of mineral ore from Myanmar headed to China. The group said Thailand plays a role in the ore trade chain and should review past shipments as well, including potential impacts connected to earlier transit activity.
In addition, the network asked for official negotiations among Thailand, Myanmar, and China. It argued that a lasting fix requires action at the source, because the mines are located in Myanmar, while Chinese firms are tied to mining operations and purchases.
Testing agricultural products and support for affected residents
The letter also urged targeted testing of agricultural products, starting with garlic grown on land affected by the Kok River flooding. The network highlighted at least 10,000 rai of garlic fields in Mae Ai District, Chiang Mai, expected to be harvested in March 2026.
For rice, the group requested heavy metal testing in off-season rice (dry-season rice) grown across about 100,000 rai in lowland areas along the Kok and Sai rivers before the May harvest. It also asked the government to prepare relief measures for people who suffer losses or health impacts.
Another major request focused on water supply. The network asked the government to allocate 2 billion baht for Chiang Rai Provincial Waterworks Authority operations to secure new raw water sources. It said around 40,000 consumers could be affected.
It also asked for replacement raw water sources to reduce reliance on the Sai, Ruak, and Mekong rivers for producing tap water in several Chiang Rai districts. The areas named included Mae Chan, Mae Sai, Chiang Saen, and Chiang Khong, with an estimated 30,000 consumers.
To keep the response moving, the network proposed forming a national committee that includes government agencies, academics, civil society, and specialists from multiple fields. The goal, it said, is to create a single main mechanism to drive solutions, improve coordination, and keep the public informed.
