Thailand and Myanmar sign terms to address transboundary river pollution

Thailand and Myanmar signed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the establishment of a joint working group on water quality management for boundary and transboundary rivers, such as the Sai and Kok rivers, which have been contaminated with arsenic and other heavy metals from unregulated gold and rare earth mining activities in Myanmar’s Shan state.

A separate TOR for cooperation in the use of space technology for peace between Myanmar and Thailand’s Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA).

Permanent Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Raweewan Bhuridej, who signed the TOR on behalf of the Thai government, said that the agreement marks an important step forward in cooperation between the two countries in addressing this unresolved pollution problem.

She admitted, however, that there are obstacles which may hamper the efforts of the two governments because the Myanmar government is not in full control of the Shan state, which is known to be controlled by several armed minority groups, particularly the United Wa State Army.

The TOR, which will remain in effect for three years, calls for joint water quality monitoring, data sharing and technical cooperation to address transboundary pollution.

Raweewan said that the joint working group will comprise representatives of the two countries and relevant agencies and will address the health problems of those affected by the pollutants, adding that the agreement does not bar technical experts from a third country from helping in addressing the problem.

She expects the joint working group to start functioning this month.