Monday November 9, 2026
UNDP —
Whenever the Kok River comes up in conversation, or whenever an activity related to the river takes place, Sangsuree “Paew” Chalermliamthong , a resident of Ban Ruam Mit in Chiang Rai Province, is among those who try to stay informed and share what they learn with others in the community.
When someone catches fish from the river and brings it home to eat, Paew urges them to be cautious. There is still uncertainty over whether contaminants may remain in the fish. Sometimes, she finds herself explaining that heavy metals are not germs that can simply be killed by boiling water, and that the effects of exposure to certain substances may not be immediately visible.
For now, sharing what she knows is one of the things she can do as the river that has sustained her community for generations faces concerns over contamination linked to transboundary mining activities in Myanmar.
Paew first began noticing changes in the Kok River after severe flooding hit Chiang Rai in 2024.