Thai environmental activist Pianporn Deetes, the executive director of the River and Rights Foundation, held a sign that read: “We do not welcome a criminal like you Min Aung Hlaing” during a protest outside of the United Nations in Bangkok, Thailand, on Aug. 6.
Pianporn stated that, as a resident of Chiang Rai affected by toxic contamination, she refuses to welcome Min Aung Hlaing because he is a criminal responsible for polluting Thailand’s rivers.
She noted that six Thai rivers—including Kok, Sai, Ruak, Mekong, and Kra Buri—have been affected by contamination from mining operations in Myanmar. Pianporn added that Thailand welcoming him in this manner is completely unacceptable. (Credit: The Reporters)
Transcript: “Previously, we expected Prime Minister Anutin to meet with the public before signing the [Terms of Reference] with Myanmar. However, he never listened to our voices and continues to welcome the criminal who damaged Thailand’s rivers. We expected the Thai Prime Minister to protect our rivers from danger,” said Pianporn. “We do not welcome Min Aung Hlaing to Thailand. Why am I here today? Because I am from Chiang Rai. The rivers that my family and millions of Thai people depend on have been contaminated by toxic heavy metals from unregulated mining upstream in Myanmar. The Kok, Sai, Ruak, Mekong, Salween, and Kraburi Rivers are all affected. Communities are forced to live with contaminated water, while mining for rare earths and other critical minerals continues. The Myanmar military claims these mining areas are beyond its control. I do not believe that. Before meeting Min Aung Hlaing, I hoped Prime Minister Anutin [Charnvirakul] would first visit the affected communities in northern Thailand and listen to the people living with this crisis. That did not happen. This is why I am protesting today. Journalist: What do you want from the Thai government? I am Thai. I expect my government to protect Thai people and Thai rivers. People have the right to clean water, a safe environment, and protection from pollution that threatens their health and livelihoods. Instead, we see a military leader accused of committing grave crimes in Myanmar being welcomed with official honors, while Thai communities continue to bear the consequences of transboundary pollution. As a Thai citizen, I cannot accept that. Journalist: What about the Thailand-Myanmar TOR on contaminated rivers? The draft Terms of Reference focuses mainly on the Kok and Sai Rivers. That does not address the root of the problem. Other rivers—including the Salween, Kraburi, and the Mekong—are also affected. The draft also contains a confidentiality provision that could prevent monitoring results from being shared with third parties. Thai people have the right to know whether their rivers are contaminated. We have the right to know what is happening upstream and how many mines are operating. Transparency should never be sacrificed. This agreement, in its current form, does not adequately protect the interests of the Thai people. The people who suffer most are ordinary communities like mine. I do not want Thailand to officially welcome a leader whose actions and policies have caused so much suffering—both in Myanmar and across our shared rivers. I want a better future for my country. People in Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Ranong, and communities along the Mekong should not have to live with polluted rivers and the fear of long-term health impacts. We deserve clean rivers. We do not want this crisis to be solved at all?”
