Thailand and Myanmar to Form Joint Working Group on Cross-Border Water Pollution
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment plans its first meeting this August alongside a 3-year Kok River quality control master plan.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Thailand and Myanmar establish a Joint Working Group on transboundary water quality
- First meeting slated for August 2026 with a 3-year Kok River management plan
- TOR signed to address environmental impacts and affected residents' health
- GISTDA space technology to be integrated for empirical data collection
On August 7, 2026, at Government House, Mrs. Raviwan Bhuridej, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), revealed progress on environmental cooperation with Myanmar following the signing of a Terms of Reference (TOR) to establish a joint working group on water quality management for border and transboundary rivers, marking a vital milestone for Thailand as a downstream nation.
The primary concern is the toxic runoff from mining activities flowing into the Kok River in Chiang Rai province. The ministry is preparing a 3-year master plan accompanied by annual action plans, alongside standardized water sampling methods. A Joint Working Group (JWG) comprising representatives from both countries and relevant agencies has been formed to specifically address health issues impacting local residents.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Mrs. Raviwan stated that the working group's inaugural meeting is scheduled for August 2026, with herself serving as the Thai chair. The TOR mandates that meetings must be held at least twice a year, and both nations will expedite field survey planning. Furthermore, Thailand is open to welcoming international academic experts since the framework focuses strictly on academic collaboration.
"It is difficult, but this progress is a positive step because the TOR took a long time to finalize, serving as a good starting point for both sides to officially begin operations."
Mrs. Raviwan Bhuridej
Managing cross-border water pollution is a complex regional challenge since rivers like the Kok originate in neighboring territories. Establishing the Joint Working Group (JWG) provides an essential diplomatic and environmental framework to enforce transparent monitoring standards. Integrating spatial data from GISTDA with ground observations grants authorities empirical evidence required for effective negotiation and long-term ecosystem restoration.
To further bolster these efforts, a separate TOR was signed on August 6, 2026, between Myanmar and Thailand's Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) regarding peaceful applications of earth observation technology, allowing empirical space-based data to support the initiative.
Source: Khaosod Politics
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