Govt urged to end illegal upstream mines

More than 1,000 people gathered at Chiang Rai City Hall yesterday to urge the government to act immediately to curb mining operations in Myanmar, which are polluting the Kok, Sai, Ruak and Mekong rivers, and restore the rivers' damaged ecosystems.

- WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM

The rally, which was held to mark World Environment Day, was joined by residents who have been affected by pollution from unregulated mines upstream. Some of the protesters claimed to have developed skin conditions brought on by heavy metal contamination along the rivers.

The protest, which kicked off at Mae Fah Luang Park, saw protesters march to the Kok River Bridge, where they unfurled a banner reading “Stop the Toxic Mines, Return Lives to the Kok River”.