Bangkok: The Cabinet has approved recommendations to implement measures aimed at promoting and protecting human rights from transboundary environmental issues, specifically addressing pollution in the Kok River and Sai River flowing from Myanmar. Relevant agencies have been tasked with reporting the results of their operations to the Cabinet Secretariat within 30 days.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Sasikarn Wattanachan, Deputy Government Spokesperson, stated that the recommendations were discussed during a Cabinet meeting. The focus was on measures to address pollution in the Kok River and rivers originating from Myanmar. This decision aligns with the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, Section 247 (3), and the Organic Act on the National Human Rights Commission of 2017, Sections 26 (3) and 42, as proposed by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
Ms. Wattanachan highlighted that the pollution in the Kok and Sai rivers has escalated due to gold and rare earth mineral mining by an unidentified private company in Shan State, Myanmar. The mining processes involve hazardous chemicals, leading to soil and waste contamination with heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, and mercury. These pollutants flow into Thailand, posing significant health risks. The NHRC views this situation as a violation of individuals’ rights to a clean environment. To address and prevent the pollution’s spread to the Mekong River basin, which could have more extensive impacts, the following domestic measures have been recommended:
1. The Pollution Control Department should collaborate with relevant agencies to increase water and sediment sampling in risk areas, provide guidance on best practices, and develop a rapid warning system.
2. The Ministry of Public Health, through its various departments, should conduct free health checks for diseases related to heavy metal exposure, with a focus on arsenic, for at-risk populations.
3. The Provincial Waterworks Authority and other local bodies should urgently provide clean drinking water and develop long-term plans for safe water sources and efficient village water supply systems.
4. Relevant ministries should assess the impact on agriculture and tourism, determining immediate relief measures for those affected.
5. A budget should be allocated for eliminating toxic substances and restoring contaminated water sources, while also conserving headwater forests, wetlands, and riverbank vegetation.
6. The Upper Mekong Basin Committee should coordinate efforts and propose revisions to subcommittees for water resource management at the regional level.
Internationally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with relevant bodies, should expedite negotiations with pollution-source countries to halt mining activities, leveraging existing bilateral and regional cooperation mechanisms. Guidelines for addressing transboundary pollution should be developed, encouraging regional countries to create domestic laws to manage and mitigate these issues.
The deputy government spokesperson further mentioned that the Cabinet has tasked the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, alongside other ministries and committees, with reviewing the recommendations’ feasibility and appropriateness. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is to report the findings and overall implementation to the Cabinet Secretariat within the stipulated 30 days.