CHIANG RAI – On March 22, 2026, Chiang Rai Governor Chuchip Pongchai chaired a large public event for World Water Day at Wat Fang Min and the riverside municipal park along the Kok River in Mueang district.
The event, titled “People’s Festival to Protect the Kok, Sai, Ruak, Mekong, and Salween Rivers,” focused on the theme of the right to clean and safe water. Activities ran throughout the day, including a river blessing ceremony, a parade, and policy talks.
Governor Chuchip said the gathering reflected strong cooperation between local communities, academics, local governments, and state agencies. Together, they want to protect key water sources, including the Kok, Sai, Ruak, Mekong, and Salween rivers.
He also said access to clean and safe water is a basic human right under United Nations principles. The province is ready to support public awareness and knowledge-sharing, so communities can help shape long-term water management and restore cleaner rivers.
Kok River Safe Fish App
At the event, Associate Professor Dr. Thanapol Penrat, director of the Information and Digital Systems Unit at Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI), introduced the “Safe Fish” app, also called Safe Fish by Open Sign. The app was created to ease public concern about eating fish caught in waters that may be at risk of contamination.
Dr. Thanapol explained that the system uses AI to assess risk based on scientific data collected from 33 points along the Kok River. The app shows safety levels in three colors: green for safe, yellow for caution, and red for levels above the standard.
If fish are found in the red category, the system will send the information directly to the provincial governor for an immediate public warning. The app has already been tested for one month at Chiang Saen Noi fish market. Next, officials plan to expand it across Chiang Rai and into Ban Tha Ton in Chiang Mai. The goal is to build consumer confidence and help protect the local fishing economy.
Meanwhile, Dr. Suebsakul Kitnukul, a lecturer at the School of Social Innovation at Mae Fah Luang University, spoke about the overall progress and the next policy steps. He said different groups in Chiang Rai have worked well together over the past year. Still, he added that the response now needs to become stronger and more focused.
Upgrade Water Filtration Systems
He proposed three main domestic measures. First, village water supply systems should be upgraded so they can remove heavy metals more effectively. Next, he called for a 2.2 billion baht budget to move the Provincial Waterworks Authority’s raw water intake point in Chiang Rai away from the Kok River.
Finally, he urged the creation of a central database that gives the public direct access to water quality test results and agricultural product inspections.
The event also included a proposal for action at the international level. Organizers called on the Thai government to stop importing minerals from Myanmar through Thailand if inspections show the source mining towns are causing cross-border pollution. They said this would increase pressure on the governments of Myanmar and China to address environmental damage more seriously, because past bilateral talks have shown limited progress.
In addition, representatives from political parties, MPs, and senators in the area were invited to hear the policy proposals and carry them forward in parliament. Organizers hope this will lead to practical action on river contamination in northern Thailand’s major waterways.
