Bangkok: “Prasit” insists he is not ignoring the solution to the Kok River contamination problem. “Prasert” insists that the government is not ignoring the solution to the problem of contamination in the Kok River. He believes that there will be a way to discuss with the Wa group, the area that is the cause of the gold mining. He pointed out that no serious damage has been found in the area. He is also raising the level of checking water quality to be more frequent once a week.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Prasert Chantararuangthong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society, revealed after discussing with Dato’ Seri Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusf, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Reform of Malaysia, that the important issue of this discussion is the development of the Golok River Basin, especially the management of the river mouth to prevent drought and flooding problems, including raising the issue of signing an MOU to develop the Golok River Basin, in which a joint committee will be established before signing the MOU.
While the National Environment Committee meeting to solve the problem of contamination in the Kok River, Mr. Prasert said that there were both formal and informal meetings, and the Pollution Control Department was coordinated to collect water samples because the original data from water testing did not find any values that were harmful to the public. However, due to concerns, he ordered that water be tested more frequently, once a week, to build confidence among the public. We place special importance on water quality.
Mr. Prasert reiterated that the water quality is still usable for public utilities. At the same time, he has been instructed to take care of sick aquatic animals and to look at the ecosystem. He has also talked to the governor of the province to closely monitor it.
As for whether there have been any discussions with the Myanmar government, Mr. Prasert said that he has coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to have discussions, but as for the Office of National Water Resources or ONWR, preparations are being made to meet and talk with the other side, which we understand is one of the main reasons being that the other side is mining for gold and may be using certain chemicals.
As for whether there has been any report on whether there will be any coordination or discussion with the Wa group, which is in the gold mining area, Mr. Prasit said that there has not been any report yet.
As for whether or not it is necessary to coordinate with security agencies to talk to the Wa group themselves, Mr. Prasit said that they are currently looking for ways to talk to each other. He is well aware that Myanmar has internal problems.
When asked again whether the military could talk directly to the area, Mr. Prasert said that there must be a way to communicate and talk because it affects Thailand, so we must be able to talk.
Initially, will there be any measures to provide relief to the affected people? Mr. Prasit said that no serious damage has been found yet.
As for the criticism that the government is ignoring the problem, Mr. Prasert insists that he is not ignoring it. The Prime Minister has emphasized that the matter must be closely monitored. On May 27, there will be another meeting to discuss the situation.