Mae Sai: At present, the rivers separating the Thai-Myanmar border in the North, specifically the Kok River and the Sai River, have been found to contain arsenic levels that exceed the standard by several times. This contamination is flowing into the Mekong River, which runs through several countries and is impacting the lives of many individuals, particularly within the Mae Sai border community.
According to Thai News Agency, concerns are growing that if a major flood occurs, similar to last year's, water and mud contaminated with these toxic substances will also enter larger water systems. As a result, authorities and communities are urged to prepare a plan to mitigate the potential impacts on the environment and public health.