{"id":4933,"date":"2026-03-22T09:38:16","date_gmt":"2026-03-22T09:38:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/?p=4933"},"modified":"2026-03-22T14:26:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-22T14:26:20","slug":"new-coal-fired-power-plant-in-mong-hsat-set-to-worsen-kok-river-contamination","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/?p=4933","title":{"rendered":"New coal-fired power plant in Mong Hsat set to worsen Kok River contamination"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"4933\" class=\"elementor elementor-4933\" data-elementor-settings=\"{&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_width&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_width_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_width_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_padding&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_padding_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_padding_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_border_radius&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_border_radius_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_border_radius_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true}}\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c32f48e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c32f48e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f6c8217 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f6c8217\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A new coal-fired power plant in southern Mong Hsat, 19 kilometers from the Thai border adjoining Mae Fah Luang district of Chiang Rai province, is set to worsen heavy metal contamination of the Kok River.\u00a0<\/p><p>The power plant, owned by the United Wa State Army (UWSA), began operation in November 2025. It is located about ten kilometers south of Mong Hsat town, across the Kok River from Wan Hoong village tract, established as the first headquarters of the southern UWSA in 1997. The plant currently powers the UWSA\u2019s military base, training school, and factories producing weapons and rubber in Wan Hoong.<\/p><p>Plans to build the power plant were first publicly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shanstategovernment.com\/%E1%80%99%E1%80%AD%E1%80%AF%E1%80%84%E1%80%BA%E1%80%B8%E1%80%86%E1%80%90%E1%80%BA%E1%80%81%E1%80%9B%E1%80%AD%E1%80%AF%E1%80%84%E1%80%BA-%E1%80%9D%E1%80%99%E1%80%BA%E1%80%9F%E1%80%AF%E1%80%94%E1%80%BA\/\">reported in May 2020<\/a>, when Burmese government officials visited the site. The developer was named as Wan Hong Natural Energy Co. Ltd., and the plant was slated to have a capacity of 30 megawatts, which would be transmitted to Tachileik via Wan Hoong.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bbfbcf2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"bbfbcf2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ssgovernment-768x432.webp\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-4955\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ssgovernment-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ssgovernment-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ssgovernment-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ssgovernment-1536x864.webp 1536w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ssgovernment-60x34.webp 60w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ssgovernment.webp 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Burmese government officials visiting power plant site in May 2020<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a45882a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a45882a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Locals say that about 150 workers built the power plant. Most of the workers were Burmese, with Chinese technicians overseeing the construction.<\/p><p>Coal for the plant is sourced from a new open-pit mine 35 kilometers southwest of the power plant near Na Pa Kao village, Mae Ken tract, in the hills of eastern Mong Ton township, opposite Fang District, Chiang Mai province of Thailand. According to local villagers, large 10-wheel trucks are transporting coal \u201cday and night\u201d to the power plant. Villagers living along the Mae Ken stream below the mine report that they are developing itchy rashes from using the water, and fish are starting to die. The Mae Ken stream flows into the Hang River, a tributary of the Salween River.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d99bd06 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-gallery\" data-id=\"d99bd06\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image-gallery.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-gallery\">\n\t\t\t<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-4933 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-large'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"d99bd06\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"SHRF Update 22 March 2026 - 2\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NDk3MCwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL3NoYW5odW1hbnJpZ2h0cy5vcmdcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzAzXC9TSFJGLVVwZGF0ZS0yMi1NYXJjaC0yMDI2LTIud2VicCIsInNsaWRlc2hvdyI6ImQ5OWJkMDYifQ%3D%3D\" href='https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SHRF-Update-22-March-2026-2.webp'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"817\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SHRF-Update-22-March-2026-2-817x1024.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4970\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SHRF-Update-22-March-2026-2-817x1024.webp 817w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SHRF-Update-22-March-2026-2-239x300.webp 239w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SHRF-Update-22-March-2026-2-768x962.webp 768w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SHRF-Update-22-March-2026-2-60x75.webp 60w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SHRF-Update-22-March-2026-2.webp 1166w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 817px) 100vw, 817px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4970'>\n\t\t\t\tCoal being loaded at Na Pa Kao mine\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"d99bd06\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"SHRF Update 22 March 2026 - 1\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NDk2OSwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL3NoYW5odW1hbnJpZ2h0cy5vcmdcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzAzXC9TSFJGLVVwZGF0ZS0yMi1NYXJjaC0yMDI2LTEud2VicCIsInNsaWRlc2hvdyI6ImQ5OWJkMDYifQ%3D%3D\" href='https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SHRF-Update-22-March-2026-1.webp'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"817\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SHRF-Update-22-March-2026-1-817x1024.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-4969\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SHRF-Update-22-March-2026-1-817x1024.webp 817w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SHRF-Update-22-March-2026-1-239x300.webp 239w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SHRF-Update-22-March-2026-1-768x962.webp 768w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SHRF-Update-22-March-2026-1-60x75.webp 60w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SHRF-Update-22-March-2026-1.webp 1166w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 817px) 100vw, 817px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-4969'>\n\t\t\t\tCoal being unloaded at power plant \n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cc9f212 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cc9f212\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The immediate concern about the power plant is the toxic emissions from burning of coal, containing sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and particulate matter (including heavy metals), which will directly affect local people\u2019s respiratory health, as well as causing acid rain, threatening vegetation within a radius of 80 plus kilometers.<\/p><p>Wan Hoong villagers report that they can smell the coal fumes from the plant when going outside their homes.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d17759f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-gallery\" data-id=\"d17759f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image-gallery.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-gallery\">\n\t\t\t<div id='gallery-2' class='gallery galleryid-4933 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-large'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"d17759f\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Coal being transported between Na Pa Kao and power plant\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NDk3MywidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL3NoYW5odW1hbnJpZ2h0cy5vcmdcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzAzXC9Db2FsLWJlaW5nLXRyYW5zcG9ydGVkLWJldHdlZW4tTmEtUGEtS2FvLWFuZC1wb3dlci1wbGFudC53ZWJwIiwic2xpZGVzaG93IjoiZDE3NzU5ZiJ9\" href='https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Coal-being-transported-between-Na-Pa-Kao-and-power-plant.webp'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"606\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Coal-being-transported-between-Na-Pa-Kao-and-power-plant.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-4973\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Coal-being-transported-between-Na-Pa-Kao-and-power-plant.webp 606w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Coal-being-transported-between-Na-Pa-Kao-and-power-plant-284x300.webp 284w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Coal-being-transported-between-Na-Pa-Kao-and-power-plant-60x63.webp 60w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 606px) 100vw, 606px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-4973'>\n\t\t\t\tCoal being transported between Na Pa Kao and power plant\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"d17759f\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Ongoing construction linked to power plant near Kok River (mid-March 2026)\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NDk3NCwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL3NoYW5odW1hbnJpZ2h0cy5vcmdcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjZcLzAzXC9PbmdvaW5nLWNvbnN0cnVjdGlvbi1saW5rZWQtdG8tcG93ZXItcGxhbnQtbmVhci1Lb2stUml2ZXItbWlkLU1hcmNoLTIwMjYud2VicCIsInNsaWRlc2hvdyI6ImQxNzc1OWYifQ%3D%3D\" href='https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Ongoing-construction-linked-to-power-plant-near-Kok-River-mid-March-2026.webp'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"606\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Ongoing-construction-linked-to-power-plant-near-Kok-River-mid-March-2026.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-4974\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Ongoing-construction-linked-to-power-plant-near-Kok-River-mid-March-2026.webp 606w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Ongoing-construction-linked-to-power-plant-near-Kok-River-mid-March-2026-284x300.webp 284w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Ongoing-construction-linked-to-power-plant-near-Kok-River-mid-March-2026-60x63.webp 60w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 606px) 100vw, 606px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-4974'>\n\t\t\t\tOngoing construction linked to power plant near Kok River (mid-March 2026)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f115aa7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f115aa7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>However, another impact that will escalate over time is the runoff from piles of coal and fly ash (produced from the burning of coal) stored near the power plant, which will flow into the Kok River. Fly ash contains heavy metal contaminants including mercury, lead and arsenic.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9535550 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9535550\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SHRF-Update-Satellite-image-of-coal-fired-power-plant-near-Wan-Hoong-on-March-10-2026-768x432.webp\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-4972\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SHRF-Update-Satellite-image-of-coal-fired-power-plant-near-Wan-Hoong-on-March-10-2026-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SHRF-Update-Satellite-image-of-coal-fired-power-plant-near-Wan-Hoong-on-March-10-2026-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SHRF-Update-Satellite-image-of-coal-fired-power-plant-near-Wan-Hoong-on-March-10-2026-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SHRF-Update-Satellite-image-of-coal-fired-power-plant-near-Wan-Hoong-on-March-10-2026-1536x864.webp 1536w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SHRF-Update-Satellite-image-of-coal-fired-power-plant-near-Wan-Hoong-on-March-10-2026-60x34.webp 60w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SHRF-Update-Satellite-image-of-coal-fired-power-plant-near-Wan-Hoong-on-March-10-2026.webp 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Satellite image of coal-fired power plant near Wan Hoong on March 10, 2026<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-15d7f32 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"15d7f32\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A recent satellite image from March 10, 2026, shows that an area north of the power plant, towards the Kok River, is being used to store what appears to be coal. The image also shows many solar panels next to the plant, confirming local reports that it will be a hybrid coal and solar power plant.<\/p><p>Apart from the new Wan Hoong power plant, there is only one other large operational coal-fired power plant in Burma, which is the Tigyit power plant in Pinlaung township, southern Shan State, operated by China\u2019s Wuxi Huaguang Electric Power Engineering Co. Ltd. The Tigyit power plant, located next to a large open-pit coal mine, started operation in 2005 and has a capacity of 120 megawatts of electricity.<\/p><p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/burmacampaign.org.uk\/images\/uploads\/PoisonClouds.pdf\">report by the Pa-O Youth Organisation in 2011<\/a> exposed how air and water pollution from the Tigyit coal mine and power plant was threatening the agriculture and health of nearly 12,000 villagers living within a 5-mile radius of the mine, and that 50% of local people were suffering skin rashes.\u00a0<\/p><p>The PYO report also revealed that 100-150 tons of toxic fly ash waste was being produced daily by the Tigyit coal fired power plant, runoff from which was flowing into the Balu Creek, and then into Inle Lake.<\/p><p>Wan Hoong was originally populated by about 200 ethnic Shan households, but during 1999-2001, after being established as the southern UWSA headquarters by Wei Xuegang, <a href=\"https:\/\/lndoess.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/LNDO-Unsettling-Move-Thai-Version.pdf\">over 24,000 villagers from the northern Wa territory<\/a> were forcibly resettled into Wan Hoong and nearby areas, completely changing local demographics. Over 126,000 Wa villagers from the north were forcibly resettled to the southern townships of Mong Ton, Mong Hsat and Tachileik during this time.<\/p><p>Earlier attempts by UWSA to set up a coal fired power plant in southeast Shan State were thwarted by communities across the border in Thailand concerned about air pollution. In 2000, UWSA\u2019s Hong Pang company reached an agreement with the Burmese military regime to set up a 12-megawatt coal-fired power plant north of Tachileik. However, due to opposition from residents of the adjacent Thai town of Mae Sai, who physically blocked trucks carrying construction equipment (of Chinese origin) from Thailand in April 2001, the plant was cancelled.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-474e808 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"474e808\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"401\" src=\"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SHRF-Update-Initial-construction-of-Hong-Pangs-coal-fired-power-plant-in-Tachileik-768x401.webp\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-4971\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SHRF-Update-Initial-construction-of-Hong-Pangs-coal-fired-power-plant-in-Tachileik-768x401.webp 768w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SHRF-Update-Initial-construction-of-Hong-Pangs-coal-fired-power-plant-in-Tachileik-300x157.webp 300w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SHRF-Update-Initial-construction-of-Hong-Pangs-coal-fired-power-plant-in-Tachileik-1024x535.webp 1024w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SHRF-Update-Initial-construction-of-Hong-Pangs-coal-fired-power-plant-in-Tachileik-60x31.webp 60w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SHRF-Update-Initial-construction-of-Hong-Pangs-coal-fired-power-plant-in-Tachileik.webp 1179w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Initial construction of Hong Pang\u2019s coal fired power plant in Tachileik (photo from Thailand\u2019s Manager newspaper, 25 Feb 2003)<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b6e2e6e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b6e2e6e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Download Full Report (PDF)<\/strong><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SHRF-New-coal-fired-power-plant-in-Mong-Hsat-English.pdf\">Download (English \u2013 PDF, 2.6 MB)<\/a><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SHRF-New-coal-fired-power-plant-in-Mong-Hsat-Shan.pdf\">Download (Shan \u2013 PDF, 2.7 MB)<\/a><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SHRF-New-coal-fired-power-plant-in-Mong-Hsat-Burmese.pdf\">Download (Burmese \u2013 PDF, 2.6 MB)<\/a><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SHRF-New-coal-fired-power-plant-in-Mong-Hsat-Thai.pdf\">Download (Thai &#8211; PDF, 1 MB)<\/a><\/p><p><strong>Signal Contact<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6e57d1d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6e57d1d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-446c01a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"446c01a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-12a1593 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"12a1593\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Sai-Hor-Hseng-300x300.webp\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-4975\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Sai-Hor-Hseng-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Sai-Hor-Hseng-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Sai-Hor-Hseng-60x60.webp 60w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Sai-Hor-Hseng-480x480.webp 480w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Sai-Hor-Hseng.webp 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-40fd68d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"40fd68d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Sai Hor Hseng<\/p><p>(English &amp; Shan)<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-37b68e0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"37b68e0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-09e4f69 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"09e4f69\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Ying-Leng-Harn-300x300.webp\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-4977\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Ying-Leng-Harn-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Ying-Leng-Harn-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Ying-Leng-Harn-60x60.webp 60w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Ying-Leng-Harn-480x480.webp 480w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Ying-Leng-Harn.webp 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dd3dd1a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"dd3dd1a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Ying Leng Harn<\/p><p>(Burmese)<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e15bf28 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e15bf28\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-037bfc5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"037bfc5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Ying-Hom-300x300.webp\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-4976\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Ying-Hom-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Ying-Hom-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Ying-Hom-60x60.webp 60w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Ying-Hom-480x480.webp 480w, https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Ying-Hom.webp 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee88d06 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ee88d06\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Ying Hom<\/p><p>(Thai)<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A new coal-fired power plant in southern Mong Hsat, 19 kilometers from the Thai border adjoining Mae Fah Luang district of Chiang Rai province, is set to worsen heavy metal contamination of the Kok River.\u00a0 The power plant, owned by the United Wa State Army (UWSA), began operation in November 2025. It is located about ten kilometers south of Mong Hsat town, across the Kok River from Wan Hoong village tract, established as the first headquarters of the southern UWSA in 1997. The plant currently powers the UWSA\u2019s military base, training school, and factories producing weapons and rubber in Wan<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":4966,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4933","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-updates"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4933","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4933"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4933\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5018,"href":"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4933\/revisions\/5018"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4966"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4933"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4933"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shanhumanrights.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4933"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}