Suchart Puts Words Into Action: Orders Water Resources Department to Rush Aid to Chiang Rai Residents, Accelerates Solution to Contaminated Kok River Crisis
Environment Minister Suchart Choomklin has ordered the Water Resources Department to accelerate aid to Chiang Rai residents affected by toxic contamination in the Kok River and other cross-border waterways. The government is fast-tracking d
On May 9, 2025, Environment Minister Suchart Choomklin moved swiftly to implement orders following his commitment to parliament to rapidly dispatch officials to coordinate and monitor drinking water solutions for residents in Chiang Rai affected by toxic substance contamination. He has instructed the Department of Water Resources to closely track cross-border pollution in the Kok, Sai, Ruak, and Mekong rivers while expediting concrete assistance measures for drinking water, agricultural water, and livelihood improvements in both emergency and long-term phases.
Choomklin stated that the government under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul prioritizes addressing environmental impacts and quality of life issues, particularly cross-border pollution affecting multiple northern areas. All relevant agencies have been directed to provide full assistance and continuously monitor the situation to achieve concrete results as quickly as possible.
Water Resources Department Director-General Theerachunn Boonsit revealed that the Department's Regional Water Resources Office No. 1 has been assigned to track cross-border toxic contamination in major rivers following the discovery of rodent poison and heavy metals exceeding standards in multiple areas, which are now affecting public health, agriculture, fisheries, and tourism.
Supadsorn Simuad and her management team met with Chiang Rai MP Molthicha Chaibun of the Palang Pracharath Party, along with Dr. Supsukul Kijnugkul and his working group, to report the Water Resources Department's assistance programs for affected communities.
Currently, assistance projects for drinking and agricultural water are being proposed for inclusion in the fiscal 2570 budget to accelerate implementation. The Water Resources Department is committed to advancing water security for residents in major river basins to alleviate suffering and restore quality of life from cross-border toxic contamination impacts.
