Do you eat rice? What about garlic, mangoes, or bananas? If so, you could be impacted by river pollution in Thailand. Illegal rare earth mining in Myanmar and Laos has pumped toxic chemicals downstream into the rivers that flow through much of Thailand’s ecosystem. These rivers help irrigate food that ships around the globe. Here, btw takes a closer look.
The Importance of the Mekong River
The Mekong River flows for 3,100 miles. It starts in China and flows through five Southeast Asian nations, including Thailand, before emptying into the ocean. In general, it is a clean river system that supports local communities, national economies, a thriving international tourism industry, and worldwide food production. An estimated 70 million people rely on the river for their food and livelihood.
However, toxic runoff from illegal rare earth mines in Myanmar is flowing into Thailand’s rivers. This runoff is polluting the Mekong River and its tributaries. Miners extract the rare earth minerals by washing river water mixed with chemicals through the soil or rock. This exposes the minerals that are valuable but also creates toxic waste. For every ton of material mined, 1,000 tons of wastewater containing chemicals and metal contaminants are produced. This wastewater is being piped right back into the river.
In Myanmar, mining is unregulated. Nearly 800 unregulated rare earth and other mining sites have been identified in Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia, with new ones appearing every month.
A Deadly Impact
Millions of people living along the Mekong and its tributaries rely heavily on the fish in the river for food. But recently, contaminated fish have been showing up with tumor-like growths, discolored scales, and unusual eye coloration. Farmers also use the polluted river water to water their crops–rice, garlic, corn, onion, mangoes, and bananas.
Contaminants in the river system, such as arsenic, mercury, lead, and cadmium, cause elevated risks of cancer, organ failure, nervous system damage, kidney disease, and developmental harm for children and pregnant women. A 2025 test by Thai scientists and governmental authorities found arsenic levels there to be five times higher than what is considered “safe” levels. Prolonged exposure to rare earth elements can also damage the brain, liver, bones, and immune system.
Food from Thailand is exported all over the world. Thailand is one of the world’s top rice producers. The nation exported more than $10 billion in rice and fruits in 2024. The world’s top rice importer is the United States.
Can It Be Fixed?
The mining boom is happening in Myanmar, not in Thailand, so Thailand authorities have no authority to take action on the other side of the border. Myanmar is currently experiencing a civil war, which makes it nearly impossible for the government to effectively regulate its mining industry. Many of the mines are in areas of active fighting. Ineffective governments and corruption also play a role.
Also, the world’s demand for rare earth materials is booming, and Myanmar is the #1 global supplier. Rare earths are needed for modern technology, such as smartphones and electric vehicles. They are also used to power missiles and jets.
The United States relies on rare earth minerals for fighter jets, submarines, and bombs. President Trump has prioritized obtaining rare earth materials as a major foreign policy objective.
In the meantime, public universities and groups like the Mekong River Commission have organized to monitor levels of heavy metals in the river and to educate people about what is happening. They are trying to explain and publicize the health risks associated with possible contamination. For example, scientists at Naresuan University have trained fishers in Chiang Saen to use a fish safety app where they can upload images of suspicious fish. This helps scientists to know exactly how widespread the contamination is.