Myanmar Reportedly Seeks TOR Amendment on Border River Contamination, Ignores ASEAN Framework

Information has emerged suggesting that Myanmar is seeking amendments to the Terms of Reference (TOR) for environmental impact assessments (EIA) concerning contamination in a transboundary river shared with Thailand. This move is reportedly seen as disregarding the existing standards and procedures of regional cooperation frameworks such as ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and the Mekong River Commission, leading to growing concerns in Thailand. Amidst the need for transparent information sharing and cooperative problem-solving regarding the types and sources of pollutants and their impact on Thailand's environment and residents' livelihoods, Myanmar's unilateral stance is pointed out as a potential further obstacle in addressing environmental issues between the two countries. The Thai government maintains that the environmental conservation of rivers bordering the country is essential for the sustainability of the entire region and is expected to closely monitor Myanmar's response. Source: MGR Online (Regional)