More than 50 Thai companies import minerals from Myanmar — Mongabay
More than 50 companies registered in Thailand import critical minerals from Myanmar, although at least six Thai rivers are contaminated with heavy metals linked to mining operations in the neighboring country. A significant share of these raw materials is then resold to China, Mongabay reports.
Sharp increase in imports
According to documents reviewed by the outlet, in the first nine months of 2025 Thailand imported 105,752 tonnes of antimony, tungsten, copper, lead and manganese from Myanmar, mostly in the form of ore. The value of these shipments exceeded 13.9 billion baht, or about $422 million. This is more than double both the volume and value of all mineral shipments from Myanmar in 2024.
One of the routes is the Pheung Khleung border crossing in Thailand. In June, journalists saw at least 13 trucks with trailers waiting there for the border to open. Afterwards, the first truck carrying antimony from Myanmar’s Karen State entered Thailand. According to traders, most minerals are exported to China through the Port of Laem Chabang after customs clearance.
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River pollution
Thai authorities detected arsenic, cadmium, lead and other pollutants in the Kok, Sai and Ruak rivers, which flow into the Mekong, as well as in the Mekong itself, the Salween River on the Thailand-Myanmar border, and the Kraburi River in Ranong province. The outlet notes that the water crisis has lasted for more than 18 months and has left tens of thousands of people without access to clean water, livelihoods and food traditionally connected to the rivers.
According to analysts at the Stimson Center, satellite analysis identified 2,214 mining sites in Myanmar that have operated since 2015; more than half of them opened after the 2021 military coup. Representatives of Thai companies interviewed by Mongabay said they often do not know which specific mines in Myanmar the raw materials come from, as purchases are made through intermediaries.
Calls for restrictions
Phattharaphong Lilaphat, an opposition lawmaker from Thailand’s People’s Party who chairs a parliamentary subcommittee on transboundary water pollution, called on the government to tighten customs controls and apply Article 104 of the 2017 Minerals Act. According to him, this could make it possible to restrict or ban mineral imports from Myanmar until it is proven that they do not harm Thai rivers.
