Latex helps nip drug trade in bud
Getting enough water has always been a struggle in remote highland villages in Lampang’s Ngao district. But help is coming to the villagers in the form of liquid latex.
The area was once rife with drug trafficking. Drug couriers used to tread the rugged paths through the area, which connects to Wang Nua district in Lampang, Muang district in Phayao and neighbouring Chiang Rai.
Technology is being introduced involving the use of compound latex to line the interiors of ponds to prevent water from seeping into the soil.
Living at a high elevation, villagers need every precious drop of water they can find and store. Although there are many ponds, water remains scarce as it gets absorbed slowly into the earth.
The villagers had the idea of building concrete ponds but that proved costly.