News

In Search of Forest: How Cambodia's Protected "Flooded Forests" All but Disappeared

Long Sokha was technically farming in a flooded forest, but there was no hint of that on a recent, sun-soaked afternoon. The fields of the plot in Kampong Leng district of Kampong Chhnang province looked neat and orderly, planted with rows of rice plants soaking in ...

Andrew Haffner and Mao Sreypich

Prey Lang, Prey Preah Roka Monitors Suppressed While Tree Cover Vanishes: Report

Forest watchers in 2020 filed 90 percent fewer reports of illegal logging amid officials’ threats against community patrols, according to an international research report, as one advocate said young people were refraining from joining patrols out of fear of repercussions. Using a combination of satellite data ...

Danielle Keeton-Olsen

Ghostly monkey, succulent bamboo among new species in Mekong

A monkey with ghostly white circles around its eyes is among 224 new species listed in the World Wildlife Fund’s latest update on the greater Mekong region. The conservation group’s report, released Wednesday, highlights the need to protect the rich biodiversity and habitats in the region, which ...

ELAINE KURTENBACH

Hongsa Power provides 100 houses for families displaced by construction

Hongsa Power Co., Ltd. has built 136 houses and other essential infrastructure to accommodate people who had to move from their homes in Kiewngiew village, Ngeun district, Xayaboury province, when the company extended its mining operations. The 136 new houses have electricity and water connections, while ...

Phomphong Laoin

Authorities in Laos Draft Law on Hydropower Safety

The law will cover dams and hydropower installations and set standards or quality control procedures for each phase of construction, Lao National Radio reports. Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines, Mr. Sinava Souphanouvong, spoke during a conference held to discuss the draft law on hydropower safety that ...

Phayboune Thanabouasy

Cambodian whistleblowers are exposing corruption and exposed to persecution

When Cambodian university student Kong Bunrith claimed on Facebook that dozens of his classmates paid bribes to pass their exams and named the government officials allegedly involved, authorities promptly began an investigation.   But the Ministry of Justice chose to focus its investigation on Bunrith, who found ...

JACK BROOK

Rhino horns pierce a wall between crime and affluence in Vietnam

A suspicious package listed as textiles arrived at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport in July 2019. For fabric, the parcel was heavy, weighing in at 126.5 kilograms (278.8 pounds). Customs officials flagged the goods. On inspection, police found 55 rhino horns encased in plaster. An investigation ...

GOVI SNELL

UN seeks Thailand’s help to halt Myanmar crisis deterioration

A United Nations envoy has called for Thailand’s support to prevent an escalation of the crisis in neighbouring Myanmar and welcomed assurances that refugees fleeing Myanmar military operations would be protected by the Thai government. Noeleen Heyzer, the UN secretary-general’s special envoy on Myanmar, made the ...

AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES

Mekong Countries Urged to Take Action as River Experiences Three Years of Low Flows

The Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat has renewed its call for the six Mekong countries to urgently address regional low flows, water fluctuations and drought as the Lower Mekong River experiences record low flows for the third consecutive year. During the last three years, flows in ...

Latsamy Phonevilay

Asean needs a Middle Path

Despite the economic downturn during the Covid-19 pandemic, China-sponsored infrastructure, trade and cooperation initiatives with Southeast Asian nations have been moving forward consistently — amplifying the presence of Beijing in one of the world’s fastest growing regions. One recent landmark event was the inauguration of the ...

PARITTA WANGKIAT

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