Home Environment Activists rally outside Chinese embassy over river pollution

Activists rally outside Chinese embassy over river pollution

BANGKOK — 8 July 2026, activists gathered outside the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok to submit demands urging China to help address cross-border pollution and calling for an investigation into police use of force during a protest outside the Chinese Consulate-

The demonstration was organized by the NGO Coordinating Committee (NGO-COD), together with civil society networks. Protest leaders poured water, which they said had been collected from affected areas, onto a map of Thailand and Myanmar in a symbolic act highlighting environmental impacts in the Kok, Sai, Ruak and Mekong river basins.

Lertsak Kamkongsak, chairman of NGO-COD, read a statement urging the Chinese government to prioritize efforts to resolve cross-border pollution. The statement cited reports of contaminants detected in water sources and called for an investigation into the responsibility of businesses linked to mining projects in Myanmar’s Shan State.

He said cross-border investment should go hand in hand with environmental protection and corporate responsibility toward affected communities.

Toward the end of the rally, some participants wore masks depicting Wisarut Srichan, an activist who was injured during the Chiang Mai protest, to demand accountability and a transparent investigation into allegations of excessive force by police during the Chiang Mai protest. Protest leaders also called for a fact-finding inquiry through mechanisms of the House of Representatives.

Protesting sign: “Black list the grey Chinese for Burmese mine, cross border pollution, State Audit Office building collapsed, onstruction crane collapses, Eastern toxic waste, and Potash mining in the Dan Khun Thot.”
Protest sign: “We want clean water, but what we got is blood stain! Stop hurting the people. Hurting us won’t cover the polluted water! Peaceful protest is a right not a crime!”

The demonstration ended peacefully. Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy announced it would close for half a day.