More deformed fish were caught by fishermen in the Kok, Sai, Ruak and Mekong rivers last month, causing concern among fishermen and consumers in Chiang Rai province about the health risk of consuming them and the condition of the water in the rivers, according to the Living River Siam Association, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to the protection of rivers’ health.
The deformed fish were found with lumps on their bodies, which fishermen suspect may have been caused by arsenic or other heavy metals, discharged into the rivers from unregulated gold mines operated by Chinese investors in Shan state of Myanmar, which is controlled by the United Wa State Army.
The fishermen have complained that they had difficulties selling their catches, because consumers are concerned that the fish are contaminated.
Somkiat Kuenchiangsa, the association’s president, said that they have sent several specimens of the deformed fish for testing, to determine the amount of arsenic or other heavy metals they may contain.
He noted that this is not just a problem for fish and fishermen, but is an environmental and food security problem, which could have long-term impacts on the people who rely on the rivers for water and fish for consumption or to make a living.
He suggested that the Thai government negotiate with all parties concerned, to get the unregulated mines in Shan state closed down or to regulate their activities and stop the discharge of the untreated wastewater into the rivers.
Meanwhile, the Senate committee on natural resources and environment is urging the government to convene a meeting of the Mekong River Commission (MRC), to address the problem of river contamination.
Chivaparb Chivatham, chair of the Senate committee, suggested that the treaty pertaining the MRC should be amended to include China and Myanmar, which are not yet signatories. The current signatories are Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
He said both China and Myanmar are upstream on the Mekong River. Myanmar is upstream from Thailand on the Kok River.
Since the toxic chemicals are discharged into the rivers from Chinese-operated gold mines in Shan state, both China and Myanmar should be invited to the meeting of the MRC.
