Infrastructure
Transport problems slow down resettlement in Chin capital
The state government says it has identified a new site for their damaged homes, but the remote location and lack of roads has so far prevented them from bringing in the necessary building materials. U Tin Maung Soe, a director in the Chin State government, told ...
NGOs push for postponement of Don Sahong dam on Mekong
The lower three Mekong Countries, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam as well as environmental groups, have expressed concern about the Don Sahong dam’s impact on the environment, movement of fish and water quality and flow. The project has yet to be approved by the Mekong River Commission, ...
Lao officials to inform neighboring countries about dam construction schedule
A delegation of Lao officials will visit two neighboring countries to inform them about the commencement of construction work on a controversial 260-megawatt hydropower dam on the Mekong River, a Lao official with knowledge of the issue said on 14 October. Three lower Mekong countries – ...
Thailand scraps unpopular Internet 'Great Firewall' plan
Thailand’s military government has scrapped a plan to create a single Internet gateway, a deputy prime minister said on 15 October, putting paid to a system aimed at allowing authorities to monitor content. Keep reading ...
Myanmar arrests two for their mocking Facebook posts
Myanmar authorities have arrested a peace activist and a young woman for mocking the country’s powerful military in the latest crackdown on free speech ahead of landmark elections on 8 November. Human rights groups have condemned the military-dominated government for moving their repression into social media, ...
Cambodian official facing trial over Facebook post
A Cambodian Information Ministry official has been charged with defamation over a Facebook post accusing a CPP senator of being the mistress of a military general, and has been summoned to trial on 19 October. According to the 5 October summons, Prum San, deputy director of ...
Bangkok motorists face new oil, gas charge
Bangkok-based petrol stations will be hit with a new local tax collected from their oil and gas sales at five satang a litre, starting on 15 October, as City Hall steps up efforts to pull in revenue for city development. It is the first time such a tax has ...
Port gets green light to list on Cambodian stock exchange
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Cambodia has given the Phnom Penh Autonomous Port preliminary approval to make an initial public offering on the country’s fledgling bourse, which the state-run firm expects to join in early December. Should it succeed, the port will be only the ...
Vientiane airport to be expanded
Expansion of Vientiane’s Wattay International Airport will begin this year to meet growing passenger demand and accommodate VIP aircraft and delegations during the ASEAN Summit in November 2016. In 2011, the total number of passengers passing through the airport was 520,000 people but by 2014 this had ...
Villagers displaced by Xayaboury dam enjoy higher incomes
Villagers who had to leave their homes to make way for the Xayaboury hydropower plant project are now earning more money, thanks to income-generating activities and employment opportunities offered by the project. For instance, one indicator shows that the annual average income per family in Nator ...