Gold rush hits Loei as Mekong villagers pan for treasure amid record prices

2026-03-01 - 06:53

LOEI — A gold rush has swept along the Mekong River in Pak Chom district after gold prices surged to a record 78,400 baht per baht-weight, prompting villagers to flock to newly exposed sandbanks in search of the precious metal. Over the weekend, more than 150 panning spots were set up along a 10- to 20-metre stretch of riverbank in tambon Pak Chom, including Ban Sri Phuthorn and Ban Hat Bia. With the Mekong’s water level dropping significantly, wide sandbars have emerged, allowing residents to access sediment long buried beneath the river. Samruay Daengphasom, a villager from Ban Sri Phuthorn, said gold panning is a traditional occupation passed down from grandparents but had faded over time. The current boom, she said, is driven by two main factors: record-high gold prices and unusually low water levels. “At 78,400 baht per baht-weight, even tiny flakes are valuable,” she said. “And when the river drops, it’s easier to reach the mineral deposits.” Panning requires both skill and luck. During this low-water period, most villagers can earn between 1,000 and 1,500 baht per day on average. Those who strike richer deposits may make several thousand baht a day — a significant income compared with general wage labor in the area. Once collected, the raw gold can be quickly converted into cash. Mobile buyers and local gold shops visit the area weekly to purchase the finds, with prices calculated by gram and referenced against the current market rate. For many in Pak Chom, the drying Mekong has turned hardship into opportunity, reviving a riverside tradition in the wake of soaring global gold prices.