River contamination from mining operations on the Myanmar border is polluting Thailand's water supplies and food chain with heavy metals. The Chiang Rai water utility must shift water sources at a cost of over 2 billion baht, affecting ~120,000 people. The crisis spans three critical areas: drinking water infrastructure, agricultural contamination (particularly rice paddies covering ~100,000 rai), and long-term bioaccumulation in human bodies. Expert Dr. Suebsakul proposes halting all ore imports from Myanmar to increase negotiating leverage and advocates legal recognition of "river rights" to systematically protect ecosystems.