Arsenic Contamination Persists in Chiang Rai's Sai River

According to a report by Matichon Online, high levels of arsenic contamination continue to be detected in the Sai River in Chiang Rai province. Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Suchart Chomklin, has directed the Pollution Control Department (PCD) to closely monitor the situation and implement urgent remediation measures. The contamination has raised significant concerns regarding the safety of local water supplies, particularly for 14 villages that currently lack access to a piped water system. To address the immediate needs of the affected population, authorities are prioritizing the distribution of clean water reserves to ensure residents have access to safe drinking and utility water. For travelers and residents in the Chiang Rai area, it is advised to remain cautious regarding local water sources and to rely on bottled or verified clean water supplies until official updates are provided. While the government is actively working to mitigate the environmental impact and secure water safety, the long-term timeline for restoring the river's water quality remains to be confirmed. Authorities have not yet provided a definitive date for when the water will be declared safe for general use, and ongoing testing is expected to continue as part of the remediation efforts.