Dams coming as heavy metals from mines found in rivers

The government plans to build check dams on rivers in the North to filter out hazardous pollutants from mining operations in neighbouring Myanmar, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said yesterday.

- MONGKOL BANGPRAPA

Water sampling has detected unsafe levels of heavy metals, especially arsenic and lead, in the Kok, Sai and Mekong rivers in Chang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces, he said.

The contamination comes from mines near the catchment areas in Myanmar, added Mr Phumtham, who also serves as defence minister.

According to Myanmar officials, the catchment areas were probably under the control of rebellious ethnic groups, so Thailand needs to take protective action, he said.

The Department of Water Resources is designing the dams, which will filter out hazardous substances that can be disposed of later, Mr Phumtham said.