"People's Party warns of Mekong arsenic threat, calls for urgent regional talks", 16 November 2025

The People's Party (PP) has called on the government to tackle arsenic contamination from foreign mining, spreading from northern rivers to the Mekong in the Northeast. It is urging immediate talks with China, Myanmar and Laos.

PP deputy spokesman and Chiang Mai MP Phattarapong Leelaphat … accusing authorities of ignoring the toxic contamination. Arsenic levels in Mekong River passing Loei, Bueng Kan, Nong Khai and Nakhon Phanom provinces exceeded safety standards, yet officials withheld the information from the public, he said.

The pollution originates from neighbouring countries' mining operations, but the government has failed to act. While contamination in northern rivers such as the Kok, Sai and Salween has long been known, the problem is now spreading to the Northeast, he added.

Mr Phattarapong criticised Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin for neglecting the issue, noting authorities have done nothing to address root causes for over a year.

Despite alarming findings, the Pollution Control Department did not publish test results on its main website, only on Environment and Pollution Control Office 9's site.

He urged the government to engage the Lancang-Mekong Environmental Cooperation Centre (LMEC) in multilateral negotiations…

Mr Phattarapong said Thailand must simultaneously negotiate with upstream countries and strengthen domestic measures, including transparent data disclosure, proper budgets, addressing root causes and expanding monitoring centres.

In response, Mr Suchart said authorities will address public concerns and three task forces will secure alternative water, manage transboundary pollution and monitor health impacts.