Chiang mai: A Buddhist pilgrimage to protect five rivers, traveling from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, is underway. Locals hope the government will urgently address the issue of transboundary toxic pollution, while academics are calling on the government to elevate the problem to a national agenda.
According to Thai News Agency, a network of citizens protecting rivers has been marching in a "Dharma Yatra to Protect Rivers" procession, encompassing the Kok River, Sai River, Ruak River, Mekong River, and Salween River. The march began on May 31st (Visakha Bucha Day) from Tha Ton Bridge in Mae Ai District, Chiang Mai Province, and continues along the banks of the Kok River, passing through numerous riverside communities. The procession has also held forums to highlight the hardships faced by residents in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces who have been dealing with toxic pollutants in the rivers for over a year.
Villagers in the Kok River community of Ban Kwae Wua Dam, Mae Yao Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Rai District, who have been affected by toxic contamination in the Kok River, revealed that their way of life has changed since the river became contaminated with arsenic. They used to fish with nets in the river since childhood, but now they haven't been able to fish for over a year. Any area of their skin that comes into contact with the water develops itchy rashes and bumps. No one dares to eat or buy the fish they catch; the river is poisoned, and they can't grow crops or vegetables for food. If the transboundary toxic contamination problem is not resolved, the riverside community's way of life may only remain in photographs.
Suebsakul Kitnukon, an academic from Mae Fah Luang University, revealed that the purpose of this Dharma pilgrimage is to elevate the issue of toxic contamination in five rivers to a national agenda. The aim is to urgently negotiate with neighboring countries to investigate and suppress illegal mining, which is the source of transboundary toxic substances. A letter will also be sent inviting the Prime Minister to a meeting to discuss solutions. The Prime Minister is hoped to personally witness the problem to ensure urgent and tangible assistance for the affected people.