"River Pollution is an urgent priority" MP Phattarapong visits Chiang Rai, pushes measures and urges government to allocate budget

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On 12 November 2025, Mr. Phattarapong Leelaphat, Chiang Mai MP of the People’s Party and Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Study of Transboundary Water Pollution, together with Ms. Saniwan Buaban, Party-list MP of the People’s Party, and the working team, held a meeting to hear concerns from local agencies in Chiang Rai and conducted a field visit to the Kok River in Chiang Rai Province to collect village tap-water samples and wet-season rice affected by transboundary pollution.

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Mr. Phattarapong and the working team collected tap-water and wet-season rice samples in Ban Phochai, Village 7, Wiang Nuea Subdistrict; Ban San Ton Nae, Village 12, Wiang Nuea Subdistrict; Ban Pa Yang Mon Mai, Village 5, Rob Wiang Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Rai District; and Ban Tha Bandai, Village 1. Earlier tests had detected lead contamination exceeding safety standards in tap water from 18 villages, prompting further testing in the two remaining villages where heavy-metal levels, especially arsenic, were still high.

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For the rice, samples were taken from fields irrigated by water from the Kok River and from the Lao River, the latter being a clean river with no detected pollution. The comparison aims to show the differences in agricultural produce from the two water sources.

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Mr. Phattarapong emphasized that the government’s major challenge at present is communication with the public. The issues reflecting this include:

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1.Residents are worried about the Lao River, despite tests confirming no pollution. However, because it is one of Chiang Rai’s main rivers, people remain fearful about safety and potential impacts.

2.People are unaware of the detected lead contamination in tap water in 18 villages.

3.The public is unaware of the detection of arsenic in seven Chiang Rai residents.

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These issues have not been officially communicated by the government; information has come only from the media and from Mr. Phattarapong in his capacity as an MP.

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“This is a major problem in Thailand, the government has failed to communicate the severity of the situation to the public,” he said, adding that the government must recognize the problem and communicate clearly about what the people of Chiang Rai are experiencing.

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Budget: The Key to Urgent Problem-Solving

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During the consultation meeting with Chiang Rai agencies, the major concern raised across the board was “the lack of budget” to address the issues.

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Mr. Phattarapong noted that the government should have considered allocating funds from the central budget long ago, as transboundary water pollution is a major issue. Currently, Chiang Rai agencies are conducting pollution monitoring and impact assessments without proper funding, forcing them to divert budgets from other necessary areas.

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Due to this shortage, the Pollution Control Department was forced to reduce its water-quality monitoring in the Kok River from twice per month to once every two months, limiting essential information for the public.

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Plans to Relocate Chiang Rai’s Water Supply Source

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Transboundary water pollution has affected the Kok River, Chiang Rai’s main raw-water source. The Provincial Waterworks Authority, Chiang Rai Office, has therefore launched a project to switch the raw-water source from the Kok River to the Lao River, which remains uncontaminated. The project has a budget of 2,176 billion baht.

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“Relocating the raw-water source is urgent. The root cause of the pollution will certainly not be solved by next year, so this relocation is crucial as an immediate solution for the people of Chiang Rai,” said Mr. Phattarapong.

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The Chiang Rai Waterworks Office plans to submit the project to the Cabinet by June 2026, and is currently revising project details and verifying land rights for the proposed station location.

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“Risk Maps – Safe Fish – Chiang Rai Pollution Monitoring Center” Urgent Assistance Measures

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Mining operations in Myanmar not only contaminate Thai rivers but also affect agricultural areas and produce irrigated with polluted water.

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More than 100,000 rai of farmland in the Kok River Basin has been severely affected, particularly during the recent major floods. Mr. Phattarapong proposed that the Land Development Department develop a “Risk map” to identify soil areas impacted by flood sediments and deposits of heavy metals from the Kok, Ruak, and Sai rivers.

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Such mapping would inform farmers which areas are suitable or unsuitable for specific crops, helping guide support and compensation measures for affected farmers.

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Meanwhile, concerns over fish consumption persist. The Subcommittee, through Asst. Prof. Dr. Tanapon Phenrat of Naresuan University, launched a mobile application called “Safe Fish (Pla Plot Phai)” on 14 November.

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(Left) Asst. Prof. Dr. Tanapon Phenrat from Naresuan University

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The app provides fish-cage farmers, market vendors, and consumers with clear information about where the fish were sourced, past inspection results, and consumption precautions. Although the government states that contamination in fish does not exceed safety standards, detailed analysis shows that vulnerable groups must still exercise caution.

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Additionally, Mae Fah Luang University proposed the establishment of a “Heavy Metals and Water Quality Laboratory for Chiang Rai Province” to monitor pollution and support long-term research. The center aims to serve as Chiang Rai’s long-term dedicated laboratory.

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The project is expected to require over 50 million baht, covering laboratory setup, contaminated waste management, and staffing. It is currently under consideration for funding either from the central government budget or from a PMU-level emergency fund.

Given that river pollution has persisted and worsened for years without effective root-cause solutions, establishing this center is considered urgent and essential.

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UNEP’s Role Amid an International Crisis

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During the morning meeting, participants proposed involving the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) to help address transboundary water pollution.

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Mr. Phattarapong explained that discussions with UNEP had already taken place within the Subcommittee. The UN is ready to act as a mediator and has environmental funds available. However, involvement depends on negotiations between Thailand and Myanmar, including whether they agree to allow UN-led water inspections and what form of participation they seek.

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Tackling the Root Cause Through International Negotiation

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Mr. Phattarapong emphasized that the government must urgently initiate international negotiations. Transboundary pollution from mining operations has become extremely severe.

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The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment could immediately convene a multilateral meeting among countries affected by mining-related water pollution, Thailand, China, Myanmar, and Laos.

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Thailand also missed a key opportunity at the ASEAN–China Environmental Cooperation Forum 2025, a major platform involving all relevant countries and dedicated to environmental issues. However, the current government sent only the Deputy Permanent Secretary to attend, and the issue of transboundary water pollution was not clearly raised.

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Water Pollution: Thailand’s Urgent Agenda

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“Water pollution is an urgent issue that must be addressed. If it is to be called a national agenda, then it must not become the kind of ‘national agenda’ we are familiar with, one that results in no real action,” said Mr. Phattarapong.

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The government should urgently clarify budget allocations, either from the central fund or from the 2027 fiscal year budget, to enable all relevant agencies to effectively address the crisis and restore safe living conditions for the people of Chiang Rai.

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Mr. Phattarapong added that the work of the Subcommittee on Transboundary Water Pollution is nearing completion. A comprehensive report will be compiled and submitted directly to the Cabinet, outlining holistic approaches to resolving transboundary water pollution.

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