Photos show how toxic runoff from rare earth mines are risking Southeast Asia’s rivers
Chiang Saen, THAILAND — A solitary finger-length fish was a disappointing start to 75-year-old Sukjai Yana’s day. He released his net from the bow of his long-tailed fishing boat, drifting slowly toward the confluence of the Mekong and Kok rivers in northern Thailand.
Thailand is hardest hit as toxic runoff from rare earth mines upstream in Myanmar and Laos seeps into the Mekong basin, threatening millions of people who rely on its waters for their farms and fisheries.
These heavy metal toxins are jeopardizing Southeast Asia’s globally important, multi-billion dollar agri-food industry, which forms the backbone of its developing economies.
“The Mekong and Kok rivers are both a source of food and income, which give people life,” said Sayan Khamnueng of the Living Rivers Association. “River contaminants are the largest transboundary problem we have ever faced. »
Thailand’s response to the spread problem has been limited to monitoring heavy metal levels and educating communities about health risks. This raises concerns for Cambodia and Vietnam, downstream.
“If the contamination continues… the new generation will have to move to the city because they cannot continue their life as farmers,” said Sangrawee Suweerakarn of the Romphothi Foundation, an advocacy group for the Shan ethnic group.
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