PM Orders 9 Northern Provinces to Test Waterways After Rodenticide Found
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered governors of nine northern provinces to test all major waterways after rodenticide contamination exceeded safety standards. Authorities must implement contingency plans to provide clean drinking water if pollution persists, while long-term cross-border talks with Myanmar are planned to address the source of contamination.
On November 9, 2026, Interior Ministry Permanent Secretary Arsit Samphantharat chaired a video conference with all 76 provincial governors. He conveyed Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's directive for Chiang Rai's governor to coordinate with natural resources agencies, local leaders, and regional waterworks to continuously monitor river water quality for contaminants. If the situation eases, authorities must quickly raise public awareness; if not, they must activate backup plans to supply safe drinking water. Simultaneously, governors of nine upper northern provinces were instructed to test all waterways — including the Kok, Ping, Ruak, and Sai rivers — for environmental impact and work with relevant units to protect public safety. Long-term, the government will consider using the Regional Border Committee mechanism to negotiate with Myanmar's Tachileik governor for a sustainable solution. Provincial governors must take full responsibility, oversee their territories effectively, and control local agencies to resolve issues; matters beyond their authority must be escalated to the central government for the Prime Minister's attention.
