CHIANG RAI – Civil society groups from the Kok, Sai, Ruak, and Mekong river network, along with local farming groups, sent representatives to hand a petition to Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit as he arrived in Chiang Rai for an official visit. They want urgent action on cross-border pollution linked to Chinese mining operations in Myanmar before more farmland in northern Thailand becomes contaminated.
Key Takeaways:
- The petition calls for talks with Myanmar and China to stop the mining activity believed to be releasing toxic waste into the rivers.
- Farmers say more than 20,000 households and over 200,000 rai of farmland are already at risk.
- The affected area covers eight districts in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces.
- The group also wants testing, public reporting, and a joint committee to manage the crisis.
On July 6, Dr. Seubsakun Kittinukorn, an academic at Mae Fah Luang University, Praphong Ritpaeng, head of the Chiang Rai right-bank Kok basin farming network, and Thongkham Inphrom, leader of the Ban Mueang Chum water users group in Mae Sai district, joined representatives from the network to submit the letter.
Suriya had just landed at Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai Airport before traveling to Phan and Pa Daet districts. His secretary accepted the petition on his behalf.
The group says heavy metals from mines in Myanmar are flowing into the Kok, Sai, Ruak, and Mekong rivers, forcing farmers to keep using contaminated water on their land.
They say the problem now affects more than 20,000 farming households across roughly 200,000 rai in eight districts, including Mae Ai in Chiang Mai and Mueang Chiang Rai, Wiang Chai, Wiang Chiang Rung, Mae Chan, Mae Sai, Chiang Saen, and Chiang Khong in Chiang Rai.
Five Demands for Government Action
The network said the longer the issue continues, the more likely contaminated water will spread through the agricultural and food supply chain. They warned that crops and fish could be affected, including rice, garlic, mangoes, bananas, export peas, export green beans, sweet corn for export, feed corn, vegetables, and fish.
To protect what they call the country’s “rice bowl” in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, the civil groups asked the ministry to take five steps.
First, they want Thailand to open talks with Myanmar and China and push for an end to the mining operations that are polluting the rivers. Second, they want a new water source for agriculture so farmers can stop using contaminated river water.
Third, they want the ministry to fund testing for heavy metals in water, soil, crops, fish, and other aquatic life, with all results made public.
Fourth, they want a risk map for agriculture so officials can track where contamination is spreading. Fifth, they want a joint committee under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, with government agencies, academics, civil society, and farmers all involved in finding a fix.
The same day, the network and other civil society representatives also submitted a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping through the Chinese Consulate General in Chiang Mai.
