Wednesday April 22, 2026
Khaosod English —
22 April 2026, Fishermen in Chiang Khan district have found a Mekong fish with unusual lesions covering its body, raising concerns over possible water contamination, local officials said.
The fish, a pla khae weighing about 100 grams and measuring 23 centimetres, was caught near Don Khai on Tuesday morning. Its body was covered with bumps, prompting fishermen to avoid selling or consuming it over fears of toxic contamination.
Channarong Wongla, secretary of a local Mekong riverside fisheries and tourism community group, said this was the third such case reported in the past two months.
He said the species typically feeds near the riverbed and preys on smaller fish. The specimen will be sent to an environmental science institute and relevant authorities for analysis.
“The condition appears similar to exposure to toxins or chemical contamination in the Mekong,” he said, warning that ongoing irregularities in river conditions could affect fish populations, consumer safety and fishermen’s livelihoods.