Toxic Fallout: Myanmar's Rare Earth Mining Sparks Environmental Crisis in Southeast Asia

Unregulated rare earth mining in Myanmar, largely driven by Chinese enterprises, is causing severe environmental damage that extends into neighboring Thailand and Laos. The mining operations have led to dangerous levels of arsenic and heavy metal contamination in the Kok and Mekong Rivers, threatening water safety and public health. The Mekong River Commission has confirmed the presence of toxic substances, with reports of local children in Thailand showing high arsenic levels linked to river fish consumption. The pollution is turning rivers orange and creating a regional environmental disaster. This crisis highlights the cross-border impact of unchecked resource extraction in conflict zones.