Indigenous communities in Thailand, Karen and Thai Lanna, are facing a threat that could alter their way of life forever: the government’s plans to dam and divert the Yuam River and its tributaries. These infrastructure projects, designed to meet economic and urban demands, jeopardize centuries of respectful coexistence between these communities and nature.
“We depend on the river and the forest to survive. If the river disappears, we disappear with it,” says Dao Phrasuk Moepoy, activist and member of the Karen community. The woman joined other local leaders to engage in dialogue with the team from the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) within the framework of the report Interconnected Disaster Risks 2025, which examines how human actions can trigger cascading disasters.
In these communities in Thailand, water is not just a resource: it is their identity, their home. “The river is part of us,” says Singkarn Ruenhom, a Lanna fisherman. “When I sleep near the water and hear its flowing sound, I feel fortunate.” He also points out that around 80% of the species in the Ngao River —one of the threatened tributaries— do not exist anywhere else in the world.
The inhabitants denounce that the proposed works would not only irreversibly alter the ecosystem, but also destroy a culture deeply connected to the land and water. “We value nature more than money,” they affirm. For them, development should not come at the expense of the extinction of their roots and the natural balance they have protected for generations.
With a clear view towards the future, the voices of Karen and Lanna rise as an urgent call to think before acting. “If nature is lost, it is lost forever,” warns Dao. “And we do not know how many generations it will take to recover.”
Rivers in the region: key tools for development
Thailand’s rivers, especially the Chao Phraya and the Mekong, are vital for the country’s life and economy, serving as a water source for irrigation, navigation, and transportation. The Chao Phraya, which flows through the center of Bangkok, is the main waterway and has contributed to the city’s development and Thai culture. The Mekong, flowing from China through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, is a river of great regional importance and forms the natural border with Laos in northern and eastern Thailand.
The Chao Phraya River, on the other hand, is a vital water source for agriculture, navigation, and transportation that passes through the heart of Bangkok, providing access to the city and its attractions. This is because it winds and branches out, forming a fertile delta that favors rice cultivation. In fact, this river has shaped Thailand’s history and culture, and its waters fertilize the rice fields.
As for the Mekong River, this tributary is of great importance as an international river that flows through several countries, including Thailand, and is vital for agriculture, fishing, and navigation. It is also a long river with a large flow, running from the Tibetan Plateau to the South China Sea, used for transporting goods and people, and is an important food source for riverside communities.
Source: UN.
