Illegal mining is costing Thailand's forests, rivers, lands and future dearly
Local communities say an environmental crisis is unfolding along the Thai-Myanmar border, where dangerously high levels of arsenic have been detected in several major rivers. There is now growing evidence a surge in unregulated rare earth mining in Myanmar's southern Shan State is to blame. And now, with the contamination reaching the Mekong River, environmentalists say the effects could be felt right through Southeast Asia.
SBS News In Depth · SBS Audio
September 2, 202511m 46sFULL
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Show Notes
Local communities say an environmental crisis is unfolding along the Thai-Myanmar border, where dangerously high levels of arsenic have been detected in several major rivers. There is now growing evidence a surge in unregulated rare earth mining in Myanmar's southern Shan State is to blame. And now, with the contamination reaching the Mekong River, environmentalists say the effects could be felt right through Southeast Asia.