Showing 1 - 10 of 69
The day dams silenced Luang Prabang
Life, Published on 19/02/2024
» While almost 10 hydropower mega-dams have been removed across the United States to revitalise rivers and people's lives, the governments of Laos and Thailand have reached an agreement to construct more such dams on the mainstream of the Lower Mekong River. Eleven dams are planned, despite the devastating consequences of two already operational dams on the river's ecosystem and the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on it.
Laos dam leaks normal, says Thai partner
Yuthana Praiwan, Published on 18/07/2022
» Reported leaks at the sides of the Nam Theun 1 Hydropower dam under construction in Laos were not a cause for concern and were normal when a dam began storing water, Electricity Generating Plc president Thepparat Theppitak said on Monday.
Rethink 'Asia battery' plan
Oped, Editorial, Published on 30/07/2020
» Two years ago this month, the villagers of Attapeu in southern Laos encountered their worst nightmare when the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy hydropower dam, which was under construction, failed. Massive torrents of water swept through several villages, causing 71 deaths, heavy damage to properties and left around 7,000 homeless.
People have no say
Oped, Postbag, Published on 30/07/2020
» Can anyone blame the vast majority of Thais for their apathy when it comes to justice for crimes committed by the elites in this country? Why aren't parliamentary opposition parties putting forward bills demanding changes to the judicial system and police reform?
The unseen human cost of cheap power
Oped, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 29/07/2020
» On July 23, 2018, the villagers of Attapeu, a sleepy town in southern Laos, suffered their worst nightmare when the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy hydropower dam suddenly burst, unleashing massive torrents of water that swallowed local villages, killing 71. More than 7,000 were made homeless.
The Mekong doesn't need more destructive dams
Oped, Published on 05/06/2020
» On 11 May, the Mekong River Commission (MRC) announced that the proposed Sanakham hydropower project in Laos will undergo the MRC's Prior Consultation process. Sanakham is the sixth mainstream dam to be submitted for Prior Consultation.
Mekong dilemmas need political will to resolve
News, Apichai Sunchindah, Published on 26/07/2019
» Last year, we were saddened by the hazards related to dam failures in the Mekong River basin after one of the saddle dams on the Xe Pian-Xe Namnoy hydro-electric project in Laos collapsed and the large amounts of impounded water then gushed downstream, causing massive inundation and damage to property, crops, livestock, lost livelihoods and some human casualties. The cause of the dam disaster has been attributed to sub-standard construction and unusually high rainfall.
Ratch seeks partners for 2 gas-fired plants
Business, Yuthana Praiwan, Published on 24/05/2019
» SET-listed Ratch Group is seeking business partners for two units of a gas-fired power plant in Ratchaburi province, with a combined power generation capacity of 1,400 megawatts (MW).
Civil society chief guardian of 'green' human rights
News, Published on 14/05/2019
» On an average Friday night about a year ago in the northern Philippines, the family of Ricardo Pugong Mayumi heard their dogs barking, followed by four gunshots. They rushed into their house to discover the bloody, bullet-ridden body of Mayumi, just as two unidentified men were fleeing the scene.
Year of turbulence
Asia focus, Published on 31/12/2018
» Two unpredictable men with weird haircuts and access to nuclear weapons had a friendly chat in Singapore -- and that was just one of the many noteworthy stories of 2018. Elsewhere in Asia, we witnessed some surprising political developments (Malaysia) and not-so-surprising ones (Cambodia), along with what seemed to be a disturbingly high number of natural disasters. Many see the latter as a manifestation of the growing impact of climate change, and it's a debate that is bound to intensify in the year ahead. Below, Asia Focus looks back on the eventful year now ending.