Bangkok: The solution to toxic pollution in the Mae Sai and Mae Kok rivers of Chiang Rai province is bleak. The upstream countries and mining concessionaires are not cooperating, suggesting that action may have to wait until mining operations are completed, which could take several years. A recommendation is made to establish a center for reporting and issuing real-time alerts to the public regarding toxic pollution.
According to Thai News Agency, several agencies have been deployed to the area to urgently address the transboundary toxic pollution in the Mae Sai and Mae Kok rivers. This pollution is impacting the livelihoods of local residents who rely on the water for consumption, livestock, or agriculture due to fears of toxic residue. However, the government's approach to resolving the issue remains unclear, as the upstream countries and mining concessions in Myanmar are not cooperating. It is uncertain whether the problem will only subside after the mining concessions are completed.
Mr. Chavalit Chantararat, CEO of Team Group, a leading engineering and environmental consulting firm in Thailand, stated that the toxic residue in the Mae Sai and Mae Kok rivers is difficult to remove because upstream countries are not cooperating. He therefore recommended that the government establish a center for reporting and issuing real-time warnings about toxic substances to the public.
Mr. Chantararat further explained that transboundary heavy metal contamination, with studies indicating arsenic originating from mining activities in neighboring Myanmar, has not been addressed at its source. He emphasized the necessity of establishing continuous monitoring stations to provide early warnings to the public. For example, if arsenic levels in waterways are very high (red level), the public must be advised not to use the water for consumption. At the orange level, water can be used for certain purposes, while at the yellow level, drinking is still prohibited.
In the fishing industry, there are periods when water is unavailable, necessitating water reserves for continuous use, including raising fish. Fish in cages are particularly dangerous due to residual toxins, posing significant health risks to consumers. Using water for livestock and agriculture also raises concerns about toxic residue in the soil if the toxins in the water are highly concentrated.
The construction of sediment traps in the Kok River has been considered as a government approach to capture arsenic-contaminated sediment from upstream mines in neighboring countries. However, there is a risk that these dams may cause toxins to disperse and accumulate further. A more effective solution would involve negotiating with mining companies at the source to address the problem, though previous discussions have faced challenges in securing cooperation. Mr. Chantararat concluded that perhaps the arsenic situation in the river might only improve after the completion of mining operations, the timeline for which remains uncertain.