Showing 1 - 10 of 38
Make use of MRC talks
Oped, Editorial, Published on 14/11/2025
» Thailand is set to host a meeting of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) in Chiang Rai from Nov 25-27. The choice of location couldn't be more appropriate -- for over a decade, local civic groups have been using the northern province as a base for their campaigns against major infrastructure projects, which they believe could harm the region's rivers.
'Rare earth' and the risk of Mekong havoc
News, Paskorn Jumlomgrach, Published on 13/09/2025
» Satellite imagery cited by the Shan Human Rights Foundation (SHRF) in a recent statement, together with findings from the US-based think tank Stimson Center released in July, confirms the alarming reality: a massive concentration of rare earth mining sites is emerging across Southeast Asia, particularly in Myanmar and Laos.
MRC to the rescue
News, Editorial, Published on 12/07/2025
» A planned trip by the Mekong River Commission (MRC), a regional body tasked with overseeing the use of the Mekong River, to evaluate the transboundary water pollution in northern Thailand has given local villagers cause for optimism regarding this crisis.
UK signs up to help Mekong basin
News, Mark Gooding, Published on 21/06/2025
» Thailand is facing increasing risks from climate change -- as recent typhoons and flooding have shown.
Thai-Vietnamese ties enter new phase
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 17/06/2025
» Vietnam has made significant strides this year in building strong, comprehensive strategic partnerships (CSPs) with four key Asean nations -- Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia. It is a notable achievement for Hanoi, reflecting its growing confidence and increasing political influence. Earlier batches of CSPs included global powers such as China, Russia, India, South Korea, Japan, the US, and Australia.
Securing the Mekong's water future
Oped, Anoulak Kittikhoun, Published on 18/09/2024
» Today, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and Mekong River Commission (MRC) kick off a second round of talks about water security.
Cambodia starts to flex its muscles
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 09/07/2024
» The Funan Techo Canal -- a US$1.7 billion (62 billion baht) waterway -- reflects Cambodia's growing confidence and assertiveness in pursuing national interests. This water infrastructure projects Cambodia as a viable and dynamic little tiger, no longer a war-torn nation. Under Prime Minister Hun Manet's leadership, Cambodia is taking a more proactive stance overall despite facing objections from neighbours like Vietnam that stand to bear the direct impact of this naval logistics scheme.
Missed energy transition opportunity
Oped, Rapeepat Ingkasit, Published on 22/06/2024
» I recently reviewed the draft Power Development Plan (PDP2024), outlining Thailand's power development roadmap from 2024 to 2037. This draft, which was put for a public hearing process during June 12–19, left me disappointed. The lower-than-expected economic growth, high energy surplus, fluctuating electricity costs due to gas price volatility and a more ambitious net-zero target all signal a need to recalibrate our plans towards low carbon emissions.
How green is the energy from our hydro dams?
Oped, Kongpob Areerat, Published on 29/05/2024
» Thailand’s National Energy Plan (NEP), a blueprint for the country’s energy strategy from 2023 to 2037, has earned praise for its noble goal of increasing the use of clean, renewable energy. The plan states that by 2050, half of the electricity consumed locally must be clean and renewable energy — solar cells, wind, biomass, small nuclear and hydro dams.
Cambodian canal tests Mekong unity
Oped, Brian Eyler & Jake Brunner, Published on 10/05/2024
» Cambodia has every right to develop infrastructure to promote economic development in its part of the Mekong Basin, but the way Cambodia's government is conducting diplomacy around the 180-km Funan Techo Canal threatens to undo three decades of Mekong collaboration.