Farmers Protest After Mass Fish Death in Prachinburi River
A massive fish kill in Prachinburi’s river has devastated local fish farmers, who suspect chemical runoff from factories and have protested at the provincial government office demanding answers and compensation. Officials have pledged to investigate the contamination, provide emergency aid, and restore the ecosystem, while flood‑affected areas remain inundated.
On October 14, 2069 (Buddhist calendar, corresponds to 2026 CE), a group of farmers led by Mantri (Hen Man), 52, and Somboon, 66, brought protest signs to the new provincial government office to demand accountability. They said they first observed abnormal conditions on October 9–10, when the Prachinburi River emitted a foul odor, developed oily residues on their hands, and displayed rainbow-colored oil slicks. The polluted water flowed through Kabin Buri, Si Maha Phot, Ban Tam, and Mueang Prachinburi districts, causing mass die-offs of aquatic life between October 10 and 12. Dead fish included giant carp weighing over 70 kg, snakehead fish, and shrimp, with damages estimated in the tens of millions of baht.
Mantri, who farms fish in 23 cages, lamented that he had planned to harvest and sell tilapia on October 20 at 100 baht per kilogram, expecting about two tons per cage, but lost his entire stock just days before the scheduled harvest. Similarly, Somboon’s group in Bang Phiboon reported losses exceeding 600,000 baht in invested costs and projected income of over 2 million baht wiped out overnight.
The farmers presented three main demands: transparent investigation of contaminants, prompt compensation for damages, and clear plans for ecosystem restoration and drinking water safety. Amid rising tensions, Deputy Governor Sanuya Namee met with the protesters, accepted their petition, and pledged to coordinate with provincial fisheries, environmental, and administrative offices to conduct on‑site testing for pollutants and to arrange swift assistance under official procedures.
Mueang Prachinburi District Chief Thongchai Buttwong announced rapid relief measures, noting that 44 registered fish‑cage farmers in the district, spread across the Na Mueang, Khop Mueang, Bang Phiboon, and Thang Ngam sub‑districts, would be helped to submit documents to the district disaster‑relief committee for emergency funding. The district would use its provisional budget, up to 30,000 baht per household, totalling about 1.4 million baht, to speed up payments that would otherwise take a year through normal channels.
Thongchai also updated on ongoing flooding in low‑lying areas such as Wat Bot, Thang Ngam, and Bang Phiboon, where water remains 1–2 metres deep, requiring boat travel in some spots; evacuation shelters remain open with about 50 people staying.
Later, Si Maha Phot District Chief Jutamas Bua Phuean released casualty figures for her area.
