CHIANG RAI – On July 9, 2026, online media erupted with serious concerns over a local sediment sale. The Marine Department’s Waterway Maintenance Office 7 recently announced the sale of dredged river materials. This massive stockpile totals over 322,789 cubic meters of sand and dirt.
The sediment comes from dredging the Mekong River near the Chiang Saen Commercial Port No. 2. Officials allowed interested buyers to inspect the physical site on July 1, 2026. However, residents quickly raised alarms about hidden toxic dangers in the river mud.
Key Takeaways:
- The Marine Department is selling over 322,000 cubic meters of dredged Mekong River sediment.
- Recent environmental tests show heavy metals like arsenic in the riverbed, sparking public health fears.
- Officials state the current sale only involves older, safe sediment from previous dredging years.
The public panic stems from official water quality reports in the northern region. The Pollution Control Department tested the Mekong River area from the Golden Triangle to Ban Sop Kok. Their ongoing tests revealed dangerous levels of heavy metals hidden in the riverbed.
Since May 2025, environmental tests have repeatedly shown arsenic levels exceeding safe limits. Some sediment samples contained arsenic levels at a shocking 94 milligrams per kilogram. Inspectors also found elevated levels of cadmium and chromium at several local checkpoints.
These toxic metals can cause severe health problems if they spread into local communities. Buyers often use this dredged sand for local construction and land-filling projects. Therefore, using contaminated soil could directly threaten public health and local groundwater supplies.
Chiang Rai Marine Department Defends Sale
Following the intense online criticism, the Chiang Rai Marine Office quickly responded. They coordinated with Waterway Maintenance Office 7 to clarify the dredging project’s true goals. Officials explained the project is vital for safe boat navigation in the busy river.
Dredging keeps the main shipping channels deep enough for large cargo vessels to pass. It also helps water flow smoothly from the Kok River into the wider Mekong River. This vital process prevents seasonal flooding and supports local trade around the Chiang Saen port.
The Marine Office stressed a very important fact about the current material sale. The sediment being sold right now is strictly old material dug up in past years. Specifically, it comes from routine dredging work completed in 2021, 2022, and 2024.
Officials firmly confirmed they are not yet selling any newly dredged material from 2026. They want to reassure the worried public that the currently available dirt is perfectly safe. The older stockpiles were removed long before the recent heavy metal spikes were recorded.
To build public trust, the Chiang Rai Marine Office made an open, public offer. They formally invited all relevant government agencies to thoroughly test the stockpiled materials. These independent laboratory tests will check for any traces of dangerous heavy metals.
Regional authorities hope this total transparency will ease the fears of local buyers and residents. They want to ensure anyone using this soil for construction remains completely safe. The health and safety of the local community remains their top priority during this sale.
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