Sorasak, a People’s Party MP, criticized Thai-Chinese diplomacy, pointing out that Northern residents face an arsenic crisis in the Kok and Sai rivers caused by Chinese-funded mining operations in Myanmar. He urged the government to negotiate with China to control these investment groups and their activities.
On 14 Nov 2026, Sorasak Somnukraisarakit, a party-list MP from the People’s Party, posted on his personal Facebook about the crisis facing Thai citizens. He described the arsenic contamination in the rivers and the so-called "brotherly" diplomatic relations, contrasting the warm welcome dinner for China’s Prime Minister at the Government House and sweet statements about Thailand-China ties as "brothers in the same boat" with the harsh reality that northern Thai people are forced to swallow water polluted by toxic substances caused by great power exploitation.
Scientific data clearly confirms that arsenic levels in the Kok and Sai rivers are nearly five times higher than the WHO safety standards, alongside critical heavy metal contamination. The source is the rare earth mineral mines in Myanmar, driven by Chinese capital, chemicals, and technology.
Sorasak explained that China injects millions of tons of harsh chemicals into mountains to extract rare earth minerals, which are then supplied mainly to clean technology industries like electric vehicles and solar panels in China—accounting for 98% of output—reaping huge profits. Meanwhile, chemical waste and arsenic flow into the Sai, Kok, and Mekong rivers, forcing Thai people to bear the environmental and health destruction.
He questioned whether this is truly “being in the same boat,” or if China is steering the boat to reap benefits while leaving Thai people at the back choking on arsenic-contaminated water. Worse still, the government’s tangible achievement is merely signing an MOU to establish a water quality testing laboratory.
Sorasak asked candidly whether this is a real solution or just wasting budget to buy time. Villagers already know the water is toxic, and test results confirm arsenic exceeds limits by five times. What the country needs is not a lab to confirm water toxicity but "diplomacy with backbone"—courage to negotiate directly with Chinese leaders, demand China control its investors, stop exporting chemicals to illegal mines, and enforce the "polluter pays" principle to compensate Thai people.
In international relations, there is no such thing as "brothers," only the interests of the people and international rules. It is time for the Thai government to stop flattering with sweet words, stop turning a blind eye, and stand up to protect the dignity and lives of Thai citizens.