Environment and natural resources

Environmental watchdogs expressed hope on Wednesday that the Thai government’s announcement that it will delay a decision to purchase power from the controversial planned Pak Beng Dam could signal a shift in the country – and possibly the region – towards renewable energy. Keep reading ...

In mid February, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) issued a letter to the Rak Chiang Khong Group, a Thai Mekong community network. The letter stated that a decision on signing the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the Pak Beng Dam in Laos has ...

Small freight vessels and passenger cruises have resumed services after the water level rose above two metres on a stretch of the Mekong River in Chiang Saen district yesterday, according to the provincial office. Keep reading   ...

The Marine Office in Chiang Rai province has warned operators of cargo and cruise boats between Chiang Rai and South China in the Mekong River to be extra cautious as the the water level has receded considerably in recent days, stranding several cargo boats in ...

Local authorities in the Mekong Delta have stepped up efforts to prevent forest fires even as the region enters the highly risky dry season. ...

On Thursday, International Women’s Day, a recent trip to the Mekong Basin served as a reminder that women’s voices must be central to decision-making on hydropower, and in broader energy planning for Thailand and the region. ...

Authorities and people living in the coastal areas of the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta have taken several measures to prevent saltwater intrusion, including building of dams. Keep reading ...

Rak Chiang Khong a local conservation group based in Chiang Rai province is contacting the Beijing-based Friends of Nature (FON) to seek advice on Chinese overseas investments in dam projects, Sor Rattanamanee Polkla, a lawyer for the Mekong Legal Network told the Bangkok Post. The group, ...

Hydropower in Mekong river might not be climate friendly, says study, seen as significant for India which is considering classifying large hydropower projects as renewable energy projects. Keep reading ...

Hydropower is commonly considered as a clean energy source to fuel Southeast Asian economic growth. However, a recent study published in Environmental Research Letters finds that hydropower in the Mekong River Basin, largest river in Southeast Asia, might not always be climate friendly. Keep reading ...