[International] Thai Opposition Leader Natthaphong Proposes 5 Demands, Urges Thai-Myanmar Cooperation on Transboundary Water Pollution
RtiTalk 小編21d ago
Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of Thailand's People's Party and leader of the opposition in parliament, today (3rd) proposed five policy recommendations, urging Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to make transboundary river pollution a key agenda item during his talks with Myanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing. He called for the establishment of joint monitoring, mining area control, and international cooperation mechanisms, with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow overseeing follow-up work.
Natthaphong stated via social media that mining areas, including gold mines, in the upper reaches of Myanmar are alleged to be releasing pollutants into the Mekong River basin and several rivers along the Thai-Myanmar border, including the Kok River, Sai River, Ruak River, Mekong River, Salween River, and Kra Buri River. This impacts downstream residents in Thailand's water supply, agriculture, and ecological environment. The issue has persisted for nearly two years, and although the leaders' meeting is scheduled later, it can serve as an important starting point for promoting practical solutions.
The People's Party's five minimum expectations include:
1. Both Thailand and Myanmar jointly confirm pollution data for all transboundary rivers, and the Myanmar government should clearly explain responsibilities regarding the pollution situation and its potential sources.
2. Strengthen bilateral monitoring and information disclosure mechanisms, jointly collect samples, analyze water quality, track pollution changes, and establish concrete improvement measures.
3. Delineate coordinates of high-risk mining areas that may cause water pollution to facilitate supervision of mining activities, limit pollutant discharge, and gradually restore water quality.
4. Thailand should explain measures that can be taken under the Mining Act and Customs Act. If pollution sources are not improved, Thailand may restrict the import of related mineral products from Myanmar.
5. Elevate transboundary water pollution to international platforms such as ASEAN, the Mekong River Commission, and the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) mechanism for handling.
Natthaphong pointed out that although Thailand and Myanmar have previously established working groups, there has been a lack of concrete progress in jointly collecting data, identifying pollution sources, and implementing improvement plans. Therefore, the government should demand clear timelines, responsible agencies, and verifiable outcome indicators during the current meeting to avoid the talks remaining at the level of principled commitments.
He suggested that the government designate Sihasak as the primary responsible person to coordinate diplomatic, environmental, mining, customs, and border security agencies, and to regularly report monitoring and negotiation progress to the public. The People's Party will also track the government's progress quarterly to assess whether both sides are implementing water quality monitoring, mining area surveys, and pollution control.
In addition to river pollution, Natthaphong also urged Anutin to strengthen Thai-Myanmar border security cooperation during the meeting, establishing more effective investigation and intelligence exchange mechanisms for cross-border fraud, drug smuggling, human trafficking, tax evasion, and the transport of other illegal goods, thereby reducing the impact of cross-border crime on Thai residents and economic order. (Editor: Shen Zhen-jiang)
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=224028
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