On 4 October 2025, Mr. Surin Worakijthamrong, Director General of the Pollution Control Department (PCD), revealed that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Mr. Suchart Chomklin, expressed concern for local communities living along the Kok River and nearby areas. Therefore, he assigned Mr. Surin to visit the Kok River area in Mae Ai District, Chiang Mai Province, and Mueang District, Chiang Rai Province, to conduct an aerial inspection of the river conditions and to meet with community leaders, including Ms. Saengrawee Suweerakarn (Deputy Chair of the Rom Pho Foundation), as well as other relevant agencies at Tha Ton Pier, Mae Ai District, Chiang Mai Province.

Subsequently, Mr. Surin held a meeting with Mr. Prasert Jitpleeheep, Deputy Governor of Chiang Rai Province; Mr. Opas Thavorn, Deputy Director General of the Department of Water Resources; relevant agencies; and Ms. Pianporn Deetes, representative of the Network for the Protection of Kok, Sai, Ruak, and Mekong Rivers, to listen to local concerns and gather issues for further action. The discussions covered the Kok, Sai, and Ruak Rivers and other related areas.

The site visit, coordination with various stakeholders, and data collection activities were carried out in preparation for a report to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, who is scheduled to visit the area on 9 October 2025 to personally meet with local residents and drive forward solutions to improve water quality and the well-being of communities affected by arsenic and other heavy metal contamination, Mr. Surin said.