Laos pushes ahead with sixth Mekong River dam project
BANGKOK, May 11 (Reuters) – Laos has submitted plans to build a new hydropower dam on the Mekong River, with construction expected to start later this year, the Mekong River Commission (MRC) said on Monday. The Sanakham hydropower plant, with an estimated cost of $2.073 billion, will be developed by Datang Sanakham Hydropower company, a subsidiary […]
Cambodia Announces Ten Year Moratorium On New Mekong Dams
The government of Cambodia has announced that the country will not develop new hydropower dams on the Mekong River for the next 10 years, putting two planned dams at Sambor and Stung Treng on pause. The decision means that Laos, which has opened two new dams in the past six months, is now the only country on the Lower Mekong Basin […]
Thai Activists Protest New Xayaburi Dam on the Mekong
NONG KHAI, THAILAND – It’s been more than 40 years since Bula Tawan first cast his fishing net out across the Mekong River when the waterway was rich in marine life. But the days of big catches have disappeared for most fishermen like Tawan, who once relied on the big hauls to earn a living and […]
New Dam Planned in Same District as Xe Pian Xe Namnoi Collapse in Southern Laos
A new dam is set to go up in southern Laos, in the district where two years ago a major dam collapse caused a flood that was described as the country’s worst in decades. On July 23, 2018, water poured over a saddle dam in Attapeu province’s Sanamxay district at the Xe Pian Xe Namnoy (PNPC) […]
Lao government considers tax to protect environment
PHNOM PENH (Vientiane Times/ANN): Industries that produce pollution may have to pay more taxes now that the Lao government has embraced the National Green Growth Strategy. Under the strategy, which Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith endorsed on Jan 30, the Ministry of Finance will impose taxes to discourage industries from producing pollution and harmful waste.
Development partners need to promote Laos’ agro-biodiversity; FAO’s D.G.,
Director General of Food and Agriculture Organisation Qu Dongyu has said that it is important to encourage all partners to promote and invest in the Lao PDR’s agro-biodiversity, and continue to focus on balancing commercial development and national food security. Giving an interview to local media in Vientiane yesterday, Mr Qu said that the promotion […]
Thai Villagers Turn to Court in Protest Over Mekong Dam in Laos
BANGKOK — Villagers along the Mekong River have asked a court in Bangkok on Friday to slow down Thai purchases of electricity from a hydropower dam in Laos, which they say has harmed their livelihoods since it began operation last year. The 1,285-megawatt Xayaburi Dam, financed by Thai companies and banks, is the first hydropower […]
MRC proves Xayaburi Hydroelectric Power Plant is not causing drought in the Mekong
Dr Anoulak Kittikhoun, Chief Strategy and Partership Officer of the Mekong River Commission (MRC), recentlybrought a group of 50 people including representatives of MRC member countries officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mines of Lao PDR, environmental experts and international journalists to observe the Xayaburi Hydroelectric Power Plant (Xayaburi HPP) in operation. During the […]
