9-4-2024 (BANGKOK) Despite concerns arising from an incident in Laos last Wednesday, where a lorry spilled sulphuric acid into a tributary of the Mekong River, authorities have assured that water quality in the affected stretch remains safe as of Monday. Continuous monitoring is scheduled until Friday to ensure any potential contamination is promptly addressed.
Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsutin, who chairs the Thai National Mekong Committee, disclosed on Monday the directive issued to the Office of the National Water Resources to oversee river conditions for signs of pollution. Recognising the transboundary impact, he stressed the need for vigilance to safeguard the well-being of residents in both Thailand and Laos.
Collaboration between the Thai National Mekong Committee, the Mekong River Commission Secretariat (MRCS), and the Lao government has been instrumental in managing the aftermath of the incident, as outlined by Mr Somsak. The spill occurred in Laos’s Luang Prabang, approximately 340 kilometres from Thailand’s Loei province, with authorities anticipating the substance’s arrival in Loei within three days via the river.
Measures undertaken by the Office of the National Water Resources, in coordination with the Pollution Control Department, have yielded reassuring results, with water samples indicating a pH level of 8, deemed safe. Despite this, continuous monitoring is imperative, prompting authorities to conduct checks twice daily at three locations in Loei’s Chiang Khan and Pak Chom districts until Friday.
Residents in adjacent provinces, including Nong Khai, Bueng Khan, Nakhon Phanom, Amnat Charoen, and Ubon Ratchathani, have been advised to remain vigilant for any signs of contamination, underscoring the importance of proactive measures.
Loei Governor Chaiphot Charoonphong reiterated the commitment of local authorities to keep the public informed, assuring that efforts are underway to disseminate relevant information.
As the Songkran festival approaches, preliminary assessments indicate that recreational activities such as swimming, fishing, and water splashing remain unaffected, providing reassurance to locals and tourists alike.
The spill occurred when a lorry, carrying over 30 tonnes of sulphuric acid, overturned, resulting in the leakage into the Nam Khan River, a tributary of the Mekong.
