THAILAND – Thailand has imposed a ban on all public wastewater treatment sites, including one in the country’s northern Thaisong district, where water from a polluted river runs into the ocean.

A total of 13 people were reported dead in the district over the past 24 hours.

The water treatment works at the area is considered the worst in the nation.

“We are now banning all public treatment works,” said Chief Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Thursday.

He said water treatment is not a crime.

Water treatment is a vital part of Thailand’s clean-up plan and it is important to ensure water is treated safely, he said.

In February, Thailand suspended water treatment at a number of sewage treatment plants after more than 100 people died at a nearby water treatment plant.