The United States says it is concerned at Laos’ plan to start building a controversial dam that has raised environmental concerns from neighboring countries. The State Department said in a statement Monday that the impact of the $3.5 billion Xayaburi hydroelectric dam on the Mekong River area is “still unknown.” Laos, one of Asia’s poorest […]
Laos Gives Go-Ahead to Build Controversial Dam
Posted November 6th, 2012 at 12:10 am (UTC-5)
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Laos Gives Go Ahead To Build Controversial Dam
Posted November 5th, 2012 at 5:40 pm (UTC-5)
Laos says it will start construction of a controversial dam, despite opposition from neighboring countries. Deputy Energy Minister Viraphonh Viravong says the groundbreaking ceremony will take place on Wednesday. The Xayaburi hydroelectric dam project on the Mekong River is expected to cost at least $3.5 billion. It is backed by a Thai company, with Thailand […]
River Management Conference Meeting in Thailand
Posted April 30th, 2012 at 6:55 am (UTC-5)
Hundreds of river managers from around the world are gathering in Thailand to discuss how best to meet growing food, water and energy needs while doing as little harm to the environment as possible. The “Mekong2Rio” three-day, international conference opens Tuesday in the Thai resort of Phuket. Hans Guttman, the leader of the Mekong River […]
Thai Company Says Work on Disputed Dam Has Started
Posted April 19th, 2012 at 4:30 am (UTC-5)
A Thai company may have already begun construction on a controversial hydroelectric dam on the Lower Mekong River, despite regional calls for further research into its impact on the environment. On its website Tuesday, the CH. Karnchang development group says it has notified the Thai Stock Exchange that construction on the $3.5 billion Xayaburi Dam […]
China: Joint Efforts With Neighbors Check Mekong River Pirates
Posted March 13th, 2012 at 5:35 am (UTC-5)
A Chinese official says security on the Mekong River has substantially improved as a result of cooperation with three of its Southeast Asian neighbors. The China Daily newspaper on Tuesday quotes Meng Sutie, director of the public security department in Yunnan province, as saying river pirates have been able to mount only occasional and isolated […]
Thai Continues Work on Disputed Dam, Ignoring Regional Pact
Posted February 29th, 2012 at 4:55 am (UTC-5)
An environmental group says a Thai company is going ahead with work on a controversial hydroelectric dam on the Lower Mekong River, despite an agreement to postpone a final decision on the project. U.S.-based International Rivers says it has discovered that preliminary construction has continued on the $3.5 billion Xayaburi Dam in Laos, including an […]
Mekong Leaders Set Plan For Next Decade
Posted December 20th, 2011 at 6:40 am (UTC-5)
Leaders of the six nations of the Mekong River region have agreed on a new decade-long development plan to boost growth and development, and to reduce poverty. In a joint declaration issued at the conclusion of the fourth meeting of the Greater Mekong Subregion summit, the leaders endorsed a range of new measures to strengthen […]
China Resumes Shipping on Mekong River
Posted December 10th, 2011 at 10:40 pm (UTC-5)
China says it has restored international shipping on the Mekong River, which was suspended after a deadly attack on Chinese sailors two months ago. Chinese police Saturday started joint patrols with counterparts from Laos, Burma and Thailand to maintain security along the major transportation waterway in the region. Ten cargo vessels escorted by five joint […]
China Joins Joint Patrols of Mekong River
Posted December 10th, 2011 at 12:45 am (UTC-5)
Chinese officials say more than 200 armed police began joint Mekong River security patrols Saturday, with forces from Burma, Laos and Thailand. The patrols are a response to the deaths of 13 Chinese sailors who were attacked on two cargo ships in early October along the Thai section of the river near the border with […]
Southeast Asia Commission Postpones Decision on Mekong Dam
Posted December 8th, 2011 at 7:35 am (UTC-5)
Government ministers from four Southeast Asian countries on Thursday decided to postpone a decision on whether to endorse the construction of a controversial hydroelectric dam on the Lower Mekong River in Laos. The Mekong River Commission said after meeting Thursday in Cambodia that further study was needed to assess the “sustainable development and management” of […]
