CHIANG RAI – On July 2, 2026, academics and civil society groups in Chiang Rai gathered to protest a proposed Thai-Myanmar water testing agreement. They argue the deal fails to address the root cause of heavy metal pollution from mining and hides vital health data from the public.
Activists are demanding the Thai government halt the agreement and instead focus on stopping toxic runoff at its source.
The public forum took place at the Srirungruang Meeting Room. It is located at the Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration at Chiang Rai Rajabhat University. The People’s Network for the Protection of the Kok, Sai, Ruak, and Mekong Rivers organized the gathering.
The event aimed to ask a crucial question: “Thai-Myanmar TOR: Who wins, who loses?” The area has faced severe heavy metal contamination since 2024. New pollution spikes were also found in 2025 in these vital rivers.
Key Takeaways
- The proposed Thai-Myanmar water testing agreement lacks real power to stop the actual cause of river pollution: unregulated mining.
- Revisions by Myanmar removed joint testing and added strict secrecy clauses, blocking the public’s right to know about water safety.
- Protesters demand the Thai government delay signing the agreement and plan a rally today at the Myanmar Consulate in Chiang Mai.
Dr. Neramit Jitraksa helped lead the public forum. He expressed deep concern over the current state of the negotiations. He warned that testing the water is useless without stopping the mines.
If leaders do not address the root causes, the heavy metal problem will continue. Dr. Neramit noted that checking water quality will not bring lasting environmental solutions. The real answer lies in strictly controlling or shutting down toxic mining operations across the border.
Ajarn Arisara Lekkham shared similar worries during the panel. She is a legal expert in international and environmental law from Mae Fah Luang University. She pointed out that the agreement focuses heavily on water tests rather than managing the mines creating the disaster.
The current plan might produce a basic lab report. However, it lacks any real rules to fix the problem when a pollution source is found. It also shuts out international organizations that could offer valuable help and oversight.
Missing Rules and Dangerous Secrecy
The draft agreement has seen major changes that favor polluters. Dr. Suebsakul Kitnukorn noted that Myanmar removed several key elements. These include joint monitoring, shared reports, and vital risk maps.
Worse, the test results will not be legally binding. This allows each country to use its own standards to measure safety. As a result, Thailand sits at a severe disadvantage in protecting its own rivers and citizens.
Dr. Jaruprapha Rakpong highlighted another major red flag in the text. Even though the agreement is just a guideline, it will still shape future legal choices. The agreement requires mutual consent before any pollution data can be shared.
She warned this secrecy hurts the basic human right to know about environmental health risks. It reduces the public’s role from active participants to mere bystanders. People deserve to know what is flowing in their local waterways.
Using Trade to Force Real Change
To truly solve the crisis, Thailand needs to play hardball. Dr. Suebsakul suggested using strong trade measures to gain real leverage. He advised halting mineral imports from Myanmar right away to send a message.
He also suggested stopping companies from using Thailand as a transit route for these minerals. Pushing for a system to trace where minerals come from could force both Myanmar and China to listen.
Dr. Kiatikhun Jankaen echoed this need for broader, bolder action. He stated that the people of Chiang Rai simply want their rivers clean and safe again. Because the pollution involves massive investments linked to China, he urged for three-way talks.
Stalling Tactics and Public Anger
Local leaders see the current agreement as a dangerous trap. Niwat Roikaew spoke passionately on behalf of local civil society groups. He argued the deal is a stalling tactic designed to delay real action.
Since each side will test their own water without a shared standard, the results will lead to endless arguments. It gives polluters an easy excuse to deny any responsibility for the toxic runoff. Niwat strongly opposed signing the deal because it silences local voices.
He fears it will kill the momentum built by the public. The longer officials argue over test results, the longer the rivers remain poisoned. The community cannot afford to wait any longer for clean water.
Demanding Clean Water for All
The forum ended with a strong public statement from the network. They declared the current agreement entirely useless for solving the real issues. They urged the Thai government to pause or completely stop the signing process immediately.
Instead of a binding agreement that helps no one, they suggested a softer Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This would show goodwill without trapping Thailand in a bad deal. The ultimate goal remains returning safe, clean water to the local communities.
To make their voices heard, the network is taking direct action. They invited citizens to rally on Monday, August 3, at 10:00 AM. The protest will take place at the Myanmar Consulate in Chiang Mai.
They hope to show that transboundary pollution harms everyone, regardless of nationality or ethnic group. The network is calling for true, joint problem-solving. They will not stop until the rivers are safe for future generations.
