Ranong: Local fishermen in Ranong Province are urging Thai authorities to address issues stemming from Myanmar's mining activities, which have led to murky water conditions affecting their ability to catch shrimp and fish, significantly impacting their income.
According to Thai News Agency, the problem arises in the Pak Kra area, Village No. 8, Ban Hat Tun, Pak Chan Subdistrict, Kra Buri District, where the confluence of Khlong Kranai from Thailand and Khlong Yung from Kawthaung District, Myanmar, results in turbid water. This murkiness is attributed to open-pit mining in Myanmar's northern regions. While the Khlong Kranai waters remain clear, the influx from Kawthaung turns the entire canal system murky, affecting the Kra Buri River.
The turbidity has had far-reaching effects on the people of Kra Buri district, impacting raw water sources for tap water production, community tourism, and local fisheries. Villagers report that the river's condition has worsened over the past 3-4 years, with this year being particularly severe. Previously, the water only turned murky during floods, but it is now consistently turbid year-round. This change has led to a decline in fish and shrimp populations, once lucrative sources of income for the community.
The famous 'Krabi River Prawn,' a sought-after local delicacy, is at risk. Previously, villagers earned significant income from selling prawns to restaurants for popular dishes, but the dwindling aquatic population threatens this tradition. Villagers are calling for immediate dialogue with Myanmar to mitigate sediment release, hoping to restore their livelihoods and preserve the identity of Kraburi's renowned prawns and community tourism.