Kok River communities march to protest mining pollution

Hundreds of farmers, fishers, and environmental activists recently completed a 68-kilometer march from Tha Ton in Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai to protest toxic contamination of the Kok River. Protesters are demanding action against unregulated gold and critical minerals mining located across the border in Myanmar, which they claim is causing downstream pollution.

Local residents report declining fish catches and expressed concerns regarding the safety of using river water for irrigation and domestic use. The contamination is linked to the rapid expansion of mining for rare earth minerals. According to the Stimson Center, nearly 800 unregulated mining sites along Mekong tributaries pose risks of contaminating waterways with heavy metals and toxic substances such as arsenic, cyanide, and mercury.

The demonstration concluded at Chiang Rai City Hall. While government representatives met with the group, protesters reported that no clear commitments or timelines for remediation were provided.