CHIANG RAI– Thailand and Myanmar recently signed a new agreement to manage shared river water quality. However, environmental experts say the deal leaves Thailand at a massive disadvantage.
The Terms of Reference (TOR) agreement was finalized during a recent visit by Myanmar’s leadership to Thailand. Local scholars warn that the pact ignores severe pollution issues and blocks vital international support.
Key Takeaways:
- Thailand agreed to remove joint pollution tracking and international assistance from the final agreement.
- The pact ignores key Thai areas suffering from toxic mining runoff, such as Ranong province.
- Strict secrecy rules within the deal may actually violate the Thai Constitution regarding public information rights.
Dr. Suebsakul Kidnukorn, a leading scholar at Mae Fah Luang University, reviewed the signed document closely. Working with a network that protects local rivers, he discovered deeply troubling details.
According to his review, Thailand surrendered to seven major changes demanded by Myanmar. These changes strip away crucial environmental protections for important shared waterways.
Blocking Important International Support
The most alarming change involves the tracking of toxic waste. The agreement no longer includes joint efforts to investigate pollution sources or create early warning systems.
Furthermore, the updated deal actively blocks outside help from global experts. Thailand agreed to exclude experienced organizations like the Mekong River Commission and ASEAN from the working process.
The pact also bans international observers from monitoring the rivers. It completely rejects outside financial and technical aid that could help clean the water.
Finally, both nations agreed that the document holds absolutely no legal power. This means neither country can be forced to clean up cross-border pollution under this deal.
Ignored Provinces and Missing Experts
According to local reports from MGR Online , Thailand even proposed rules that weaken its own bargaining power. The Thai working group includes only seven government agencies.
Shockingly, the Thai team completely leaves out Ranong province. This is a critical mistake because the Kraburi River in Ranong currently faces heavy contamination from neighboring mining operations.
Meanwhile, Myanmar appointed nine different agencies to its working group. Their team covers vital areas like mining, forestry, local transport, and environmental protection.
Dr. Suebsakul noted that Thai provincial officials frequently downplay serious river pollution. They often blame natural soil conditions or basic farming chemicals without offering real scientific proof.
Secrecy Rules Threaten Public Rights
To actually fix the rivers, experts believe agriculture, fishery, and mining officials must join the Thai team. Without them, the root causes of the pollution will remain unaddressed.
Perhaps the most shocking detail is a strict secrecy rule proposed by Thailand itself. Both sides must keep all raw data and shared water documents completely hidden from the public.
Vital health information can only be released if both countries agree in writing. Legal experts warn this secrecy directly violates the Thai Constitution, which guarantees citizens the right to information.
Additionally, any press releases or public statements must pass a strict joint review first. Because of these severe limits, Dr. Suebsakul says he has zero hope for this new environmental agreement.
Ultimately, the pact seems designed to protect polluters rather than public health. Citizens living along these shared rivers are now left completely in the dark about the water they consume daily.
