Bangkok: The subcommittee on transboundary water pollution has called upon the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment to address concerns regarding the Terms of Reference (TOR) between Thailand and Myanmar following the discovery of high arsenic levels, recorded at 164 mg.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Patarapong Leelaphat, Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Transboundary Water Pollution Study, highlighted the need for urgent action concerning the draft TOR of the Joint Working Group on Water Quality Management in Border and International Rivers. The subcommittee had extended an invitation to Mr. Suchart Chomklin, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, to attend a meeting to discuss these pressing concerns, but the Minister was unavailable due to prior commitments.
Mr. Phatarapong emphasized that the subcommittee had significant issues with the TOR, particularly regarding information disclosure and press release protocols, which require written consent from both parties involved. This stipulation has raised continuous concerns among academics, civil society, and the public. The subcommittee is advocating for a comprehensive dialogue involving all relevant parties to address these issues effectively.
The subcommittee's findings include critical data that could be instrumental in resolving the problem of transboundary water pollution. Civil society has been actively monitoring and pushing for action, and the subcommittee is urging the Minister to engage with these findings to develop effective solutions. They have requested that the Ministry provide a suitable date and time for the Minister to attend a meeting to facilitate a collaborative discussion.
Mr. Phatarapong also noted that transboundary water pollution has far-reaching implications, affecting not only water quality but also soil and agricultural lands. Data from the Department of Land Development indicate severe arsenic contamination in the soil within the Kok River basin, with some areas reporting arsenic levels as high as 164 milligrams per kilogram, far exceeding the standard of 25 milligrams per kilogram. Similar contamination levels have been detected along the Mae Sai River, necessitating urgent action to establish guidelines for local farmers to mitigate and prevent these adverse impacts.
The subcommittee is urging the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to prioritize the issue of transboundary water pollution. They advocate for a collaborative approach involving the legislature and other relevant sectors to develop systematic solutions to the problem.
Mr. Phatarapong concluded by urging the government and the Minister to focus on addressing pollution in key rivers, including the Kok, Sai, Ruak, Mekong, Salween, and Kraburi, which are affected by toxic substances linked to mining in neighboring countries. He called on the media and public to raise awareness and pressure the government to expedite solutions, utilizing legislative mechanisms to protect the public and the environment.