Chiang Mai: Dozens of residents of Mae Taeng district on Tuesday lodged a petition with governor Suriya Prasatbandit, demanding a probe into the provincial prison for allegedly releasing untreated waste water into the Ping River nearby.
The petition, signed by residents of Ban Nong Kok, claims Chiang Mai's central prison dumped untreated water and other waste into the river via a man-made stream.
The village head Thongsuk Samran said by releasing untreated water into the public waterway the prison was polluting the environment and the public's health at risk.
He said the polluted water had begun to affect residents and they wanted provincial authorities to take action before any harm was done.
The petition was accepted by deputy governor Nawin Sinthusa-ard.
Mr Nawin said he would forward the case to the governor and an inquiry would be launched into the matter as soon as possible.