THE FISHERMEN’S STRUGGLE ON THE MEKONG IN LAOS

Bokeo Province, Laos - June 2025

Along the Mekong River in northern Laos, fishermen in Bokeo Province cast their nets in increasingly uncertain waters. Pollution from upstream — traced to illegal rare earth mines in Myanmar’s Shan State — flows down through the Kok, Sai, and Ruak rivers, carrying arsenic and heavy metals into the Mekong.

These mines are operated by Chinese companies, armed groups, and criminal networks, with part of the profits funneled directly to Myanmar’s military junta, in power since the 2021 coup.

“Today, fishing went well,” says Khon, lifting two catfish with a tired smile. “But there are days when I catch nothing. The water level changes because of the dams. And now they say the river is polluted too. Up in the mountains, they’re digging. Mines, or something like that. And all that toxic stuff ends up here…”

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