Thai Senator Urges Swift Response to UN Inquiry on Border River Pollution from Myanmar's Illegal Mining, Clash with Police at Chinese Consulate in Chiang Mai Protest

Ayeyarwaddy Times July 7 A Thai senator has urged the Thai government to respond quickly to issues raised by the United Nations (UN) concerning transboundary water pollution in northern Thailand, which is being caused by illegal mining activities within Myanmar. Norasate Pracharkul, Chairman of the Consumer Protection Committee on Human Rights, Rights, and Freedoms, told Thai media on July 6 that the Thai government has not yet responded to the UN experts' inquiries, even after the stipulated 60-day deadline has passed. It is understood that the UN has also sent similar inquiries to the Chinese government and Myanmar's coup military junta, both of which are involved in mining activities. The senator also pointed out that the polluted chemicals discharged from mining operations in Myanmar's Shan State are being dumped into the Nam Kok River, Mae Sai River, Ruak River, and the Mekong River without purification. This is making river pollution not just a regional problem, but a significant threat to national and international public health. Therefore, he further urged the Thai government to address the issue of transboundary river pollution caused by illegal Chinese mining based in Myanmar by engaging with the Chinese government and the coup military government, adopting an effective and decisive approach. To effectively resolve this river pollution problem, Thai citizens protested in front of the Chinese Consulate in Chiang Mai yesterday, July 6. A clash occurred with the police, resulting in injuries to two Thai nationals who were subsequently sent to the hospital. Source: Thai PBS World