Chiang Rai: The Department of Corrections clarified news about rats and lead from Kok water spreading and contaminating the Chiang Rai Central Prison, fearing that 4,000 prisoners are at risk of cancer. They confirmed that the water in the prison is within safe limits.
According to Thai News Agency, the Department of Corrections has issued a document clarifying the media's report that 4,000 prisoners are at risk of cancer due to heavy metal-contaminated Kok water. It stated that the water in the prison comes from a standard surface water system from the Department of Water Resources and uses groundwater because it is outside the service area of the Provincial Waterworks Authority in Chiang Rai Province. The prison monitors the water quality every year.
In early April, news of the Kok River being cloudy and the Chiang Rai Provincial Natural Resources and Environment Office, together with the Office of Environmental and Pollution Control 1 (Chiang Mai), reported the collection of water samples in Chiang Rai Province for laboratory analysis.
The results of the analysis of the quality of water used in the prison found that the overall heavy metals were within the standard, such as lead, not exceeding 0.05 milligrams per liter. However, to solve this problem, the prison has urgently taken action to fix it, divided into three phases:
In the short-term, the prison has changed the water filter cartridges and added a sediment filter to immediately improve the water quality. Large water tanks have been installed, and potable water is being purchased and distributed to prisoners for consumption and cooking. Blood samples from prisoners are being tested for safety.
For the medium-term, the prison plans to separate the surface water supply system and the artesian well system, ensuring clean and safe water for consumption according to the standards.
In the long-term, the Department of Corrections has proposed to the Chiang Rai Governor to expand the water service area from the Chiang Rai Provincial Waterworks Authority to the prison. This expansion, if approved, will benefit not only the prison but also the local community with access to clean and safe water services.
The Department of Corrections is in the process of allocating a budget for a reverse osmosis water filter and has instructed the prison to closely monitor water quality. No officers or inmates have reported sickness or abnormalities.
Additionally, the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Thailand has shown support for Thailand-Myanmar negotiations to address the Kok River issue. The Chinese side is committed to cooperating with Mekong countries to protect the ecological environment and water quality in the region.