Surface water
Rivers and lakes
Dramatic Photos Show How Sand Mining Threatens a Way of Life in Southeast Asia
Sand is a key ingredient in concrete, the essential building material of Vietnam’s fast-growing cities. Demand for it is surging—and that is wreaking havoc not only on Vietnam’s rivers, but also on the all-important Mekong Delta. Keep reading ...
Vince Beiser
China is taking action to better protect its rivers
The International Day of Action for Rivers has been celebrated across the world since 1997. Every year, on March 14, ordinary people raise awareness about the importance of healthy watersheds and the equitable and sustainable management of rivers. Keep reading ...
Feng Shuang
River Barges Stranded as Mekong River Becomes to Low to Navigate
More than 10 cargo boats have been grounded in the Mekong River near Chiang Rai after the river receded considerably in recent days, according to the provincial marine office and the Mekong Delta Travel Agency. Keep reading ...
Editor
What Can Fix the Disjointed Management of the Mekong River?
For the group of Tibetan youngsters, it was a rare opportunity to see what life is like on the lower reaches of the river known as the Lancang in China and the Mekong elsewhere. Hailing from Qinghai Province, near the source of the Lancang, the ...
Wang Yan
China Defends Dam Building on Mekong River as Activists Head to Court
Officials from southwest China’s Yunnan province have defended a plan to build a dam in the region as “fully legally compliant”, after an environment group took developers of the project to court last month for violating laws. Keep reading ...
Editor
Mekong researchers seek ways to improve dams
Researchers backed by multi-million-dollar grants from Nasa are heading to Southeast Asia’s Mekong River region to find ways to improve dams so they are less harmful to people and the environment. Keep reading ...
THOMSON REUTERS FOUNDATION
Thais weigh merit of Mekong dam
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 ...
Andrew Nachemson
Thailand Delays Decision on Power Purchase from Pak Beng Dam
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 ...
International Rivers
Mekong returning to normal as water level rises
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 ...
CHINPAT CHAIMON
Navigation Warning on Mekong River as Water Level Recedes in Chiang Rai
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 ...
Editor
