Acid spill in Laos yet to reach Thai towns on Mekong River

Acid spill in Laos yet to reach Thai towns on Mekong River
In Bueng Kan state, a fish farm is located close to the Thai banks along the Mekong River. ( Photo: Bueng Kan Provincial Fisheries Office )

Following the incident in Laos on Wednesday, where a vehicle leaked sulfuric acid into one of the river’s tributaries, the Mekong River’s water quality was still safe on Monday. Up until Friday, officials did keep monitoring the water quality.

Somsak Thepsutin, the deputy prime minister and the head of the Thai National Mekong Committee, made it known on Monday that he had instructed the Office of the National Water Resources to check the valley for leakage. He feared that the contaminated chemistry may be harmful to people in both nations.

He claimed that the Thai National Mekong Committee has been constantly working with the Chinese government and the Mekong River Commission Secretariat ( MRCS) to resolve the issue.

According to Mr Somsak, the event occurred in Laos’s Luang Prabang, which is about 340 miles from Loei territory in Thailand. The expert anticipated that the material may arrive in Loei via the river in about three weeks.

The Pollution Control Department and the Office of the National Water Resources have also been collaborating to assess water value. They found that the ocean measured 8 on the pH scale, which is a healthy level, he said.

Mr. Somsak confirmed that the government will continue to monitor the Mekong’s water superior at three places throughout Loei’s Chiang Khan and Pak Chom towns from Friday to Friday at 9am and 3pm.

He warned people in different regions, including Nong Khai, Bueng Khan, Nakhon Phanom, Amnat Charoen and Ubon Ratchathani, to also watch for indications of leakage.

Chaiphot Charoonphong, Governor of Loei, said officials will continue to inform persons.

During this year’s Songkran event, citizens can still swim, fish, and burst each other with water from the river.

A vehicle carrying more than 30 tons of sulfuric acid flipped in an accident on Wednesday, causing the contaminants. The acids leaked into the Nam Khan River, which flows into the Mekong.