Myanmar gold mines pose health risk to Thailand

ANKARA

Thai authorities on Wednesday said that gold mining operations in neighboring Myanmar are posing a health risk in Thailand, as unsafe levels of heavy metals have been detected in three rivers, according to local media reports.

Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said Myanmar’s military has acknowledged that toxic contamination in the Kok, Sai and Mekong rivers, which flow through northern Thailand, is beyond its control, the Thai Enquirer reported.

The mines are located in areas controlled by the United Wa State Army (UWSA), an ethnic armed wing of the ruling party in the self-governing Wa State.

Phumtham said Thai agencies are urgently investigating health risks, particularly for communities along the riverbanks.

Thai Health Deputy Permanent Secretary Weerawut Imsamran said environmental officials tested water quality in the three rivers earlier this month and found unsafe levels of heavy metals, especially arsenic and lead, at multiple locations in northern Thailand, according to the Bangkok Post.

There was no immediate statement from the Myanmar government regarding the concern raised by Bangkok.

Thailand’s Department of Border Affairs has initiated talks with Myanmar to prevent further chemical runoff, but negotiations are difficult since the issue is not directly linked to the military junta.

Thai authorities are now designing a weir-like structure to filter chemicals and remove sediment as a long-term solution, with the Thai defense minister emphasizing that prevention is the best option available.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid