Thai communities fight to save river from pollution
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In July 2026, hundreds of villagers, indigenous leaders, environmental advocates, monks, and civil society activists completed a six-day peace walk along the Kok River in northern Thailand to demand action against worsening water pollution.
The Kok River originates in Shan State, Myanmar, flows through Thailand, and empties into the Mekong River.
Communities along its banks rely on the river for drinking water, irrigation, fishing, transportation, and cultural identity, but they now fear these livelihoods are threatened by heavy metal contamination linked to mining upstream in Myanmar. The peace walk was one of the largest recent demonstrations demanding accountability for pollution affecting the Kok, Sai, Ruak, and Mekong Rivers. Participants urged the Thai government to strengthen cross-border cooperation, investigate the source of the pollution, and protect communities dependent on healthy river ecosystems.
Rising levels of heavy metals, including arsenic, detected in rivers flowing from Myanmar have fueled concerns, with environmental groups and locals linking the contamination to expanding rare earth and mineral extraction activities funded by Chinese investors. Farmers depend on river water for irrigation and fishing communities need healthy aquatic ecosystems, and health authorities have warned against consuming fish from the polluted rivers.
Protesters delivered a petition to the Chinese consulate in Chiang Mai, asking authorities to regulate Chinese companies operating mines in Myanmar. Police blocked the protest, leading to clashes and injuries to two demonstrators, who filed complaints alleging excessive force. Activists also demonstrated in Bangkok, demanding an independent investigation into the police response and accountability for environmental damage.
