AI-Summary – News For Tomorrow
Rare earth elements, crucial for modern technology, are fueling geopolitical power struggles, particularly in areas controlled by the Wa forces where unregulated mining disregards environmental and human costs. Pianporn raises concerns about Chinese companies protected by armed forces, questioning the protection of Thai rivers (Kok, Sai, Rwak, and Mekong) from heavy metal contamination due to illegal upstream mining. She urges the Thai government to engage in regional negotiations, implement strict environmental monitoring, and protect the rights of citizens affected by the pollution. Failure to address this issue will result in decades of heavy metal contamination.
News summary provided by Gemini AI.
Geopolitical dimension: rare earth and the power struggle
Rare earth elements are valuable minerals used in the production of advanced technologies such as smartphones, electric vehicles, and modern weapons. The increasing demand for these minerals has turned them into a “key card” in global geopolitics.
Pianporn pointed out that the areas under the influence of the Wa forces have no legal control, with mining activities occurring to feed the global market, completely disregarding the environment or the local population.
Call to the Thai government
In conclusion, Pianporn posed an important question to the Thai government: These illegal mines are guarded by armed troops protecting Chinese companies, but who will protect our rivers and land? If the Thai government does not address the root cause of this issue, we will face heavy metal contamination in the Kok, Sai, Rwak, and Mekong rivers for decades to come.Â
Pianporn called on the Thai government to urgently engage in regional negotiations, using bilateral and multilateral cooperation channels to end illegal upstream mining. The government should also implement strict monitoring systems for water and soil quality and establish measures to protect the rights of affected citizens, she added.
