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Government urged to address transboundary river contamination with China

11 Sept 17:32 Key points summarised by AI

Experts urge the Thai government to treat transboundary pollution in the Kok River, stemming from Myanmar mining activities, as a national security threat due to severe health risks and livelihood impacts on millions.
The government is criticized for its insufficient response and urged to directly engage the Red Wa (United Wa State Army) and Chinese investors, who own the polluting mines, to address toxic discharges.
Existing border committees are deemed ineffective as they don't cover ethnic minority forces, emphasizing the need for Thailand to hold China accountable for its investors' environmental impact.
Heavy metal contamination in multiple rivers poses long-term health dangers, while local tourism-dependent businesses in Chiang Rai are already experiencing significant economic losses.

Today 14:58 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's government will launch the "Chainat-Pasak-Gulf" water diversion canal project in fiscal year 2027, a seven-year mega-infrastructure initiative.
This permanent structural solution aims to mitigate recurrent central plains flooding by diverting water from the Chao Phraya River directly into the Gulf of Thailand, significantly reducing flow to major cities like Ayutthaya and Bangkok.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul justifies the long-term investment as a means to reduce future damages and fiscal burdens, contrasting it with the 40-50 billion baht spent annually on short-term flood relief.
Concurrently, the Prime Minister instructed officials to expand drainage capacity into the Tha Chin River and swiftly remove water hyacinths to improve immediate flood management.