Bangkok: “Suchart” plans to visit the Kok River area to solve the arsenic problem. Suchat is preparing to push for national parks to provide full tourist services, threatening officials to stay away from them. He is also preparing to visit the Kok River area to address the arsenic problem, saying the Director-General already has a solution. He acknowledged that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has a lot of work to do, but it’s fun.
According to Thai News Agency, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin spoke about the Ministry’s work, emphasizing that issues related to global warming and the law must be addressed urgently. He added that the Prime Minister has assigned him to oversee this matter, and he hopes to ensure it is implemented as quickly as possible.
When asked what achievements the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will demonstrate over the next four months, Mr. Suchart revealed that the Clean Air Act, the Kok River, and various national parks will be implemented. Regarding tourist services, he stressed the importance of acting as good service providers while preserving forests, wildlife, plant species, and forest lands. He warned against interference with government officials, stating that any such actions would be strictly prohibited.
Regarding the field trip to test for arsenic in the Kok River in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai provinces, Mr. Suchart stated that he intended to go because it was of national interest. He expressed concerns about the potential escalation of the problem if not addressed quickly. He mentioned that the Director-General of the Department of Health and the Director-General of the Pollution Control Department already have solutions. The tests did not detect any arsenic due to rain diluting the toxin levels, but there are concerns about future droughts and the source of toxic chemicals from Myanmar. He plans to fly in a helicopter to assess and intercept the chemical sources, noting that methods are in place. Mr. Suchart reiterated his commitment to environmental issues, highlighting the importance of addressing PM 2.5 and other pollutants.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, he noted, has many tasks but is supported by capable civil servants and Director-Generals. He outlined a short-term plan of four months, a medium-term of eight months, and a long-term goal of 12 months, expressing hope for continued support and the opportunity to further address these issues if given more time.