Last year during September - October, there was a big flood along Kok and Sai river, Chiang Rai, Thailnd. Both rivers originate in Myanmar near Thailand border. In 2025 the local communities along Kok and Sai river basin are facing another threat ! There are gold mining operations in Shan state which cause big deforestation areas. The operations also release toxic wastes into the rivers.
Water in the two river is very turbid and contaminated with arsenic. The report of Environment and Pollution Control offfice in Chiang Mai revealed the water test result that there is 0.026 mg/l of arsenic contamination in Kok river at a village located near the minings. The arsenic contamination figures in both rivers are higher than the standard water quality index of 0.01 mg./l. The contamination affected local communities living along the rivers, aquatic animals and crop productions. Besides no remidy implementation for 2024 flood victms, there is no implementation of policy for early warning system, prevention and evacuation plan. Locals are now worried about the 2025 flood with toxic to their villages.
Our rivers are very sick ! How to be safe from the flood ? What to do ? Where is the safe place to go ? What will happen when people have to touch the contamiated flood? HOW TO STOP TOXIC WASTES FROM GOLD MINING OPERATIONS IN MYANMAR ?
(This article seeks advices for maechnisms against this international treat !)
