Mekong Gold Mining in Laos Sparks Anger in Chiang Rai

CHIANG RAI -  State-aligned media in northern Laos dismissed reports of illegal gold mining along the Mekong River on Thursday, insisting heavy machinery

CHIANG RAI – State-aligned media in northern Laos dismissed reports of illegal gold mining along the Mekong River on Thursday, insisting heavy machinery across from Chiang Rai is merely dredging sand for local construction. Thai conservationists and academics rejected that explanation, pointing to midnight digging, missing haul trucks and sand dumped straight back into the river. The dispute precedes a Saturday border inspection by Thai civic groups worried toxic runoff threatens downstream towns. • Lao Pushback: Bokeo broadcasters claim a Nov. 6 inspection at Ban Pak Ngao found legal sand dredging for public roads, not chemical gold mining. • Suspicious Operations: Thai scholar Chainarong Sretthachau noted crews dig overnight, build no riverside stockpiles and use no dump trucks. • Monitoring Push: Advocates plan a Nov. 14 border trip and urge the Mekong River Commission to test water for arsenic and heavy metals. Dredging Claims Clash With Riverbank Evidence Thai civic networks ...