Showing 71 - 80 of 182
Future lies with electric two-wheelers
News, Adam Minter, Published on 15/10/2018
» Given recent market turmoil, it would easy to overlook the upcoming IPO of Niu Technologies, a Chinese manufacturer of electric mopeds. The US$95 million the company plans to raise is a pittance compared to the billions burnt by Tesla Inc. But the technologies developed by Niu and other pioneers of electric two-wheel vehicles will transform transportation as much as anything dreamed up by the likes of Elon Musk.
Bell tolls for antiquated traditions
News, Surasak Glahan, Published on 05/10/2018
» Should the temple's early morning bell ringing stop, or should it go on? This is a topic that emerged on social media polls yesterday following a citizen's request for a quiet night and, probably, a nice deep sleep.
Silicon Valley is not an arbiter of free expression
Life, James Hein, Published on 15/08/2018
» It is somewhat disconcerting that Silicon Valley -- which occupies about 300 square miles, and where most think the same and have the same politics -- can determine allowable content for the rest of the planet. Some of us remember that many of the major platforms were developed using government grants and public funding. With this base they should represent all views, of all types, and not just the ones they happen to like. This was the initial declaration at least, but in the modern world, that seems to have changed. I am certainly no great fan of Alex Jones, but that a cabal of providers can effectively execute social termination is very worrying for the future of open platforms and freedom of expression.
Reckless development sows seeds of disaster
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 09/08/2018
» As monsoon rains have struck the Mekong region recently, some countries have been hit hard by flooding. These disasters reflect the fact that the region's development projects have not fully recognised climate change impacts and so lack plans to deal with them.
Damming our way into trouble
Asia focus, Tanyatorn Tongwaranan, Published on 06/08/2018
» Over the past two weeks, volunteers and rescuers have been battling thick mud and floods in Attapeu province of Laos to find survivors of a deadly dam collapse.
Dam calamity a wake-up call for Mekong hazards
News, Apichai Sunchindah, Published on 31/07/2018
» The recent case of the Xe Pian Xe Namnoy dam collapse in Laos is a timely reminder that there are potential hazardous factors associated with the failure of storage dams. These include large mass movements into a reservoir close to the dam such as a sudden influx of water and/or huge falling rocks, design errors, poor construction, faulty operation of reservoirs, sabotage, terrorism, acts of war and seismic risks.
Dam disaster a damning indictment
News, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 27/07/2018
» The spirit of volunteerism is running high among Thais as was recently demonstrated during the mission to rescue the 12 "Wild Boars" and their coach in the flooded Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai earlier this month.
Slow down dam building
News, Editorial, Published on 26/07/2018
» With 46 hydropower plants currently, Laos plans to have a total of 100 dams by 2020 to serve the energy-starved Mekong region. That could help the one party-ruled country achieve its ambition of becoming "the battery of Southeast Asia". But the dam collapse in Attapeu in southeastern Laos on Monday shows how easily catastrophes can happen.
Get e-waste under control
News, Editorial, Published on 25/06/2018
» The fast-emerging scandal of the dumping of electronic waste illustrates just how far behind, and how out of touch authorities are in battling corruption. Of course the e-waste story involves flaunting of the law. But it shows just how simple it is to ignore laws, bypass regulations and fool government. The days of furtive corruption involving suitcases full of cash are gone. Some call the new-style corruption more sophisticated but it is actually more thuggish.
Dammed if you do
Editorial, Published on 21/06/2018
» Laos’ latest announcement of a decision to go ahead with its fourth 770-megawatt Pak Lay dam project has sent an alarming sign that the tide of hydropower development on the mainstream Mekong River is not just unstoppable, but accelerating.