Civil society groups and environmental activists gathered outside the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok on Tuesday (8 July) to demand action over alleged cross-border pollution affecting several rivers in northern Thailand.
The demonstration was organised by the NGO Coordinating Committee on Development (NGO-COD) and various civil society networks, which claim that contamination in the Kok, Sai, Ruak and Mekong rivers may be linked to mining operations in Myanmar’s Shan State that are backed by Chinese investment.
Protesters called on the Chinese government to take greater responsibility for the environmental impact of overseas projects and to work with regional authorities to address concerns raised by communities living along the affected waterways.
The rally attracted dozens of participants, some of whom wore masks depicting Chinese President Xi Jinping while carrying banners demanding action over the alleged pollution.
Symbolic Protest Highlights Environmental Concerns
As part of the demonstration, organisers conducted a symbolic ceremony in which water reportedly collected from affected areas was poured onto a map of Thailand and Myanmar.
The act was intended to represent what campaigners described as the spread of environmental damage across river basins shared by both countries.
NGO-COD chairperson Lertsak Kamkongsak read a statement urging Chinese authorities to investigate mining projects operating in Myanmar and ensure that investors and companies are held accountable for any environmental harm.
Campaigners argued that cross-border investments should be accompanied by stronger environmental safeguards and greater protection for communities that rely on the rivers for drinking water, agriculture and fishing.
The protest remained peaceful throughout, with police maintaining security around the embassy compound.
Four Demands Submitted To Chinese Government
During the gathering, activists outlined four key demands directed at the Chinese government.
These included stricter oversight of Chinese companies and investors involved in mining operations in Myanmar, improved traceability of minerals imported through Thailand, visits by Chinese representatives to affected communities, and the establishment of a joint inspection team involving Thai authorities.
The minerals highlighted by campaigners included antimony, tungsten, tin, lead, copper and manganese, all of which are commonly extracted through mining activities in the region.
Following the demonstration, officials said the Chinese Embassy temporarily closed for part of the day and implemented additional security measures around the premises.
Pollution Dispute Continues To Draw Attention
The protest marks the latest development in an ongoing dispute over water quality in several major rivers flowing through northern Thailand.
Environmental groups have repeatedly raised concerns about contamination allegedly originating from gold and rare earth mining operations in Myanmar’s Shan State.
Thai health authorities have previously reported detecting arsenic in residents living near the Kok River, while heavy metals have also been found in water and fish samples collected from affected waterways.
The Bangkok rally came just days after a similar protest outside the Chinese Consulate in Chiang Mai. During that demonstration, campaigners claimed they were confronted by police while attempting to submit a petition.
According to protest organisers, two demonstrators were injured during the incident, including one person who reportedly required surgery for a broken arm. Police, however, maintained that officers acted in accordance with standard procedures and denied intentionally using force against protesters.
One participant at the Bangkok rally held up a sign reading, “This is Thailand, not Tiananmen”, reflecting concerns among some activists over the handling of public demonstrations.
The issue is expected to remain a point of contention as environmental groups continue pushing for greater transparency and accountability regarding mining activities and their potential impact on communities living along the region’s waterways.