Thailand, Myanmar to Form Joint Task Force on Cross-Border River Pollution
Thailand and Myanmar have signed an agreement to establish a joint working group addressing water pollution in shared border rivers, with a three-year master plan focusing on mining impacts and water quality monitoring.
At a government house briefing on August 7, 2025, Raveevan Phuridej, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, announced that Thailand and Myanmar have signed a Terms of Reference for establishing a joint working group to manage water quality in border rivers and shared waterways. Phuridej described the agreement as a positive starting point, noting that Thailand, as a downstream country, is fully committed to creating a cooperative framework with shared responsibilities, particularly to address mining impacts on the Mekong River in Chiang Rai province.
The countries will develop a three-year master plan and annual action plans, including water quality monitoring standards. A Joint Working Group (JWG) comprising representatives from both nations and relevant agencies will also address health impacts on affected communities, with operations beginning in August. Phuridej will chair Thailand's delegation.
Phuridej emphasized the need for swift action and noted that field operations will require coordinated planning between both countries. When asked whether the agreement with Myanmar's central government would be effective given the presence of armed groups in Myanmar's border regions, Phuridej acknowledged the challenges but called the agreement a positive step, as the negotiations had taken considerable time. She also noted that Myanmar and Thailand's space agency (GISTDA) signed a separate Terms of Reference on August 6 to cooperate on satellite technology and geospatial data for peaceful purposes.
