Prachin Buri Officials Dispute Fish Die-off Claims Amid Public Protest
Prachin Buri authorities have denied reports of toxic contamination causing fish deaths, while local activists prepare to petition the government for pollution control measures.
On October 31, 2026, the Deputy Governor of Prachin Buri province publicly refuted claims that recent fish deaths in the area were caused by toxic chemical contamination. Despite the official stance that the water remains safe, the provincial administration has organized a 'Fish Eating' event to reassure the public. Conversely, the 'Rak Prachin Buri' network, representing over 100 affected farmers and residents, held an emergency meeting at Wat Hat Sakae to address the situation. The group alleges that recent flooding caused chemical runoff, leading to mass fish mortality and potential heavy metal contamination in local water sources. The network is currently mobilizing to collect 30,000 signatures from five districts. They plan to submit a formal petition to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on November 4, 2026, demanding that the Prachin Buri river basin be officially declared a 'pollution control zone' under the 1992 National Environmental Quality Act. For residents and visitors, the situation highlights a significant disagreement between local authorities and community groups regarding water safety. While officials maintain the environment is safe, the ongoing protest and the push for official pollution status suggest that concerns regarding water quality in the region remain unresolved. Further confirmation from independent environmental testing is needed to clarify the safety of the water supply.
