CHIANG RAI, May 28 (TNA) – Arsenic contamination, likely from Myanmar’s mining operations, is severely impacting the Sai and Kok rivers in northern Thailand, jeopardizing the livelihoods of communities dependent on these waterways.
The Kok River, a critical lifeline for Mae Ai and Chiang Rai residents, shows arsenic levels significantly above safe standards. This has led to widespread concerns as the river’s once clear waters turned turbid, intensifying after major floods nine months ago.
The Environmental and Pollution Control Office 1 Chiang Mai confirmed the Kok River’s degradation, noting high turbidity and arsenic contamination. Locals have reported skin rashes and lesions after contact with the water, symptoms new to the area.
Further downstream, Chiang Rai’s popular Karen Ruammitr tourist village has stopped allowing elephants to use river water due to skin issues, now piping water from four kilometers away. Mahouts have also developed persistent rashes.
Medical experts confirm arsenic is a highly toxic heavy metal that can cause cancer. It can enter the body through skin or contaminated food and water, with effects depending on concentration and exposure time.
The widespread contamination in these rivers, flowing from Myanmar through Thailand, raises fears that these vital waterways are becoming conduits for toxic waste, potentially accumulating in the food chain and posing a long-term threat to human and animal life. -819 (TNA)
