Chiang rai: A Buddhist pilgrimage group advocating for river protection has submitted a letter to the Prime Minister, urging immediate action on the pressing issue of transboundary toxic pollution. The Dharma pilgrimage procession, focused on protecting the Kok, Sai, Ruak, Mekong, and Salween rivers, has arrived at the Chiang Rai Provincial Hall, carrying the concerns of riverside residents to the Prime Minister. They are calling for urgent intervention to address the problem of toxic pollution emanating from mines in neighboring countries.
According to Thai News Agency, the religious procession, led by Phra Mahanikhom and Dr. Wan Wiriyaporn from Chiang Mai University, traveled by boat along the Kok River. They collected water and sediment samples to test for toxic contaminants. The pilgrimage culminated in a series of activities organized by ethnic groups, students, and environmental activists at Mae Fah Luang Park in observance of World Environment Day. These activities highlighted the hardships faced by villagers in five riverside communities who have been dealing with arsenic-contaminated rivers for over a year.
Later in the morning, the Dharma pilgrimage procession made its way to the Chiang Rai Provincial Hall to declare the intentions of the People's Network for River Protection. They announced three key demands: urgent action on arsenic contamination, inclusion of the issue in the national agenda, and utilization of international mechanisms to negotiate with neighboring countries, specifically Myanmar and China, to investigate upstream mining operations. Additionally, they called for urgent monitoring and control of mineral imports and exports. An open letter was submitted to the Prime Minister through Senators and Members of Parliament, with discussions held with government agencies.
In response to inquiries about pollution in the Mekong River tributaries, the Facebook page of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Thailand posted a message. The Chinese Embassy spokesperson emphasized China's commitment to environmental protection both domestically and globally. It was stated that Chinese enterprises must prioritize environmental compliance and that any violations would be addressed seriously. Ambassador Zhang Jianwei, the Chinese Ambassador to Thailand, recently visited Chiang Rai to discuss cooperation and mutual interests with relevant parties.