RANONG, Thailand – Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin has directed the Pollution Control Department (PCD), Ranong provincial authorities, and related agencies to address persistent turbidity in the Kraburi River, a problem that has affected local communities for more than six years. The order led to a public forum in Kraburi district, chaired by Ranong Deputy Governor Witharat Raman, to gather community feedback and discuss possible solutions. Residents and civil society groups used the forum to outline the effects of declining water quality on livelihoods, agriculture, small-scale fisheries, tourism, and the environment. Participants said mining activities across the border are believed to be a major source of sediment entering the river system and contributing to the ongoing issue.
PCD Director-General Surin Worakijthamrong said monitoring results showed heavy metal concentrations remained below national environmental standards, although turbidity levels have increased during the dry season. The Department of Fisheries also detected cadmium and lead in shrimp samples from the area, but the levels remained within food safety limits. Concerns were also raised about the impact on Cryptocoryne, a rare aquatic plant species found in only two locations worldwide. Authorities are preparing a provincial-level working committee with public participation to help address the issue. The PCD and the Department of Fisheries will increase monitoring of water quality and aquatic life to once every three months, while plans are underway to install a real-time monitoring station in the upper Kraburi watershed. (NNT)
