Showing 1 - 10 of 31
Floods 'a recurring nightmare'
Oped, George G van der Meulen & Chamniern Vorratnchaiphan, Published on 16/09/2025
» Thailand has faced floods for more than a century. Some years are worse than others, but the pattern is consistent. The catastrophic 2011 floods remain the most painful reminder: according to the World Bank, they caused US$46.5 billion (1.5 trillion baht) in economic losses, displaced 13 million people, and claimed approximately 800 lives. Much of the country's industrial heartland was submerged for months, severely impacting global supply chains.
'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.
Old dam, new debate
Oped, Editorial, Published on 04/09/2024
» It has become a pattern for almost every government to revive the controversial Kaeng Sua Ten Dam project when there is a big flood in provinces located in the Mae Yom River's basin, such as Phrae, Sukhothai, Phichit, and Phitsanulok provinces. The Pheu Thai-led-government is no exception.
China's hydro generators wait for the rains to come
News, John Kemp, Published on 27/03/2024
» China's hydro generation has been essentially flat for the last three years, despite commissioning several large new power plants, as a prolonged drought has sharply reduced river flows in the southwestern part of the country.
Future of rivers in PM's hands
News, Pianporn Deetes, Published on 25/09/2023
» In a speech to parliament on Sept 11, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin outlined policies, action plans and commitments that his government will take over the next four years for the "benefit and happiness of all Thai people".
China's drought sparks coal fears
News, John Kemp, Published on 09/09/2022
» China's drought has sent coal prices surging as traders anticipate the lack of hydroelectric generation will force it to burn more coal to meet electricity demand this winter.
A win for Kru Ti and the Mekong River
Oped, Paskorn Jumlongrach, Published on 28/05/2022
» Over the past 20 years, Niwat Roykaew, a teacher, activist and founder of the Chiang Khong Conservation Group in Chiang Rai province has been campaigning to bolster the grassroots movement he initiated to protect the Mekong River, a crucial lifeline for countries in the Mekong Region.
Time to tackle plastic
Oped, Editorial, Published on 02/03/2022
» As the world's attention remains focused on the war between Russia and Ukraine, more than 100 nations are convening in Kenya this week to wage their own war -- against plastic waste. Delegates -- including those from Thailand are expected to take the first steps toward establishing a historic global framework for a legally binding plastic treaty -- touted to be the most ambitious environmental pact since the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change. The move is vital if it's not already too late as plastic continues to snarl up the worlds waterways and contaminate the food chain.
Chinese dams cloud Mekong River relations
News, Montree Chantawong, Published on 23/08/2021
» The new Chinese Ambassador to Thailand, Han Zhiqiang compares relations between the two countries and their collective effort to combat Covid-19 pandemic as being "one family".
The Mekong's calling you, Sue Perkins
News, Vasana Chinvarakorn, Published on 08/04/2021
» When my award-winning investigative journalist friend Supara Janchitfah first suggested Sue Perkins' name during our conversation on the Mekong, I thought she was making a joke. Or perhaps being satirical. What could a British comedian hosting a baking contest show contribute to helping locals in Southeast Asia thousands of miles away?