Showing 1 - 10 of 11
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.
In Laos, price of free speech a heavy one
News, Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal & Adam Bemma, Published on 20/02/2020
» The imprisonment of Houayheuang "Muay" Xayabouly, a young, female Lao environmentalist turned internet activist who simply asked for help for flood victims, should be a matter of deep concern to the international community.
Region's businesses lag on rights issues
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 24/06/2019
» Even though economic development was one the key agenda items at the 34th Asean Summit held in Bangkok last week, human rights protection in the context of business operations seemed to not get sufficient attention from Asean leaders.
Humanitarian aid fails to reach millions in need
News, Xavier Castellanos, Published on 24/01/2019
» In 2015, the world pledged to "leave no one behind" as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. But millions of people are still being left behind in humanitarian crises.
Lao dam burst lessons for Thai firms
News, Emilie Pradichit & Debbie Stothard, Published on 28/08/2018
» While the world reacted with shock at the recent dam collapse in Laos, attention was mainly focused on the victims and the patchy response of the Lao government. More than a month later, serious questions arise concerning the role and responsibilities of international companies involved in the fatal project, including those from Thailand.
Dam collapse: Was it human error?
News, Kasemsan Manomaiphiboon, Published on 23/08/2018
» The July 23 collapse of one of the saddle dams of the 410-megawatt Xe-Pian-Xe-Namnoy hydropower complex, situated on the mountaintop in the southeast section of Bolaven Plateau in southern Laos, demands a full clear answer as to what actually happened.
Awareness is key for global sustainability
News, Jeffrey Williamson, Published on 21/08/2018
» In a recent opinion piece, the writer raised a universal point when discussing the use of farm chemicals.
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 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.