Environment and natural resources
Leaders of Mekong nations urged to consider environment at summit
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will chair the meeting in Sanya on 23 March, which will also involve the leaders of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. They will discuss the formulation of initiatives and measures under the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation. At Wednesday’s meeting the discussion will focus on a ...
Illegal wildlife trade thriving
Despite concerted efforts by officials to prevent the illegal trade in wildlife through regular inspections in markets around the country, the trade is still flourishing unchecked. While the government is working to preserve aquatic animals and wildlife and protected areas, the sight of wild fauna for ...
Hadxaifong water treatment plant set for expansion
The Chinaimo treatment plant in Vientiane will be enlarged to improve water distribution through a loan of about 10.271 billion yen (749 billion kip) from the Japanese government. Keep reading ...
Thai hotels on drought alert
Hoteliers in major tourist destinations are preparing measures to deal with the serious drought this summer. Members of the Thai Hotels Association are running water-saving campaigns after being warned that this year’s drought will be the worst in a decade. Keep reading ...
Water shortage grips half of Thailand - officials
More than half of Thailand is gripped by water shortages from the drought, according to the Department of Water Resources, but the irrigation chief remains positive that supplies can last until the rainy season if everyone steps up conservation efforts. Keep reading ...
Facing Mekong drought, China to release water from Yunnan dam
China has promised to discharge water from a dam along the Lancang River (better known as the Mekong) to help alleviate drought conditions in Southeast Asia. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang announced on 15 March in a regular press conference that China will release water from ...
Fishermen seek probe into large number of dead fish
Fishermen in Rayong’s Muang district are calling on the authorities to find out why a large number of fish were found dead at Ta Kuan Beach-Pradu Bay area on 15 March, though they believe it could be blamed on rising sea temperatures, which usually happens ...
Thai dredging vessels told to retreat from Lao side of the Mekong
The operators of Thai sand dredgers working in the Mekong River close to Khammuan province signed a document last week stating they would not continue to cross the border into Laos. Deputy Head of the Khammuan provincial Administration Office, Mr Vannavong Vongphachan, told Vientiane Times on ...
Kratie farmers petition government over land dispute
Five days after Kratie provincial authorities bulldozed some of the homes of 104 families they accuse of living on state land in Chhlong district, about 60 residents delivered petitions around Phnom Penh on March 15, calling for the release of three men who were allegedly ...
Mystery blaze destroys timber, vehicles at Pursat forestry office
At least 27 vehicles loaded with confiscated timber were destroyed by fire while parked in the Kravanh Forestry Administration compound in Pursat province on 13 March, leaving no evidence for potential prosecution and rights groups doubting the authorities’ version of events. Keep reading ...
