PUBLISHED: 10 Apr 2025 at 03: 30
Myanmar is awaiting a response from the Office of the National Water Resources ( ONWR ) regarding potential cooperation in addressing the toxic contamination that threatens Chiang Mai’s Kok River, a water source for downstream communities.
The ONWR emphasized that a cooperative approach to protecting both the consumer and the culture along the river’s training is essential.
Surasee Kittimonthon, ONWR secretary-general, expressed growing concern over studies of harmful contamination in the Kok River, with officials advising water use to be suspended due to the dangerous levels of pollutants.
To encourage Myanmar’s participation in the discussion, the ONWR has started discussions with the Mekong River Commission Secretariat ( MRCS) and the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation ( LMC).
Through these local cooperative systems, Mr. Surasee said,” We honestly hope to receive a reply from the Burmese state,” referring to Myanmar.
We have requested Myanmar’s assistance in establishing a river-quality tracking system and assessing the stream, which will enable the two nations to use liquid assets more effectively.
Mr. Surasee confirmed that Myanmar and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been looking into political programmes.
The ONWR has emphasized that Myanmar’s cooperation is essential, particularly when it comes to putting together preventative measures to reduce Thailand’s downstream communities ‘ intergovernmental economic effects.
Before joining the Mekong River, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai’s communities receive liquid from the Kok River, which originates in Myanmar and passes through United Wa State Army-controlled areas.
The Department of Pollution Control’s most recent testing revealed dangerously high levels of heavy metal, especially arsenic and lead, which were found to get twice the uncomfortable levels.
The department believes that the contamination may be related to gold mining operations that the United Wa State Army, which has granted foreign companies permits to invest in the area, have authorized.
The situation is still critical as the ONWR waits for a response from Myanmar, with urgent calls for regional cooperation to stop further environmental damage and protect public health along the river’s downstream communities, according to Mr. Surasee.