Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Confirms China Will Halt Mekong Rapids Blasting
Mr. Niwat Roykaew, founder of the Rak Chiang Khong Group in northern Thailand, has shared a letter he received on behalf of the Network of Thai People in Eight Mekong Provinces from Mr. Don Pramudwinai, the Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs, that confirms media reports in March of China’s agreement to halt the Mekong ‘rapids blasting’ project.
The letter from the Minister states that he has emphasized the concerns of Thai communities and environmental groups towards the ‘International Navigation on the Lancang-Mekong River Project’ in meetings with China’s State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Wang Yi, since 2017. The letter confirms that in February 2019, Mr. Wang Yi expressed the Chinese government’s willingness to end the project, in accordance with proposals from Thai groups.
Pianporn Deetes
