News
China climate targets prompt fears over surge in dam construction
China’s plan to cut carbon emissions commits Beijing to a surge in construction of ecologically destructive hydropower dams that heralds the end of free-flowing rivers in the country, experts say. Beijing last week formally submitted its 2030 goals for generating energy from non-fossil fuels, garnering international praise as nations ...
Vietnam mulls lowest minimum-wage bump in 3 years
Vietnam looks to raise its minimum monthly salary by just above 10 percent next year, the lowest level since 2013, a move that apparently bows to the growing pressure of the corporate sector. Under a government decree that took effect early this year, Vietnam raised the ...
Vietnam anxiously wants to bring quick end to tourism crisis, but can it?
Vietnam’s leadership have signed off on visa waivers for five more European countries — France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and the UK — and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has continued to press ahead with further visa exemptions. In a directive dated July 2, Dung asked that ...
Thailand: Drought persists in 13 provinces
Drought is persisting in 13 provinces as rain makes an appearance in the upper North and Northeast, Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department chief Chatchai Promlert said on Sunday. Earlier 40 provinces were reported as drought-hit. The situation in 27 provinces has eased because of the rain. Keep ...
Japan boosts aid to ‘Mekong five’ nations
Japan has pledged Y750bn ($6.1bn) in aid to the “Mekong Five” nations over the next three years as Tokyo seeks fresh influence in a region it regards as crucial to domestic economic growth and regional strategic balance. Keep reading ...
Thai PM calls for Japanese firms to invest more in Mekong region
Thailand’s Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has invited Japanese small and medium sized enterprises to invest more in the Mekong Subregion- by taking advantage of its logistic transport links, with the expectation that the region will be able to take a step forward together. Prayut spoke ...
Lack of rain gauges putting weathermen at disadvantage
While some areas of Cambodia are undoubtedly suffering from an extended dry season, a lack of rain gauges means that comprehensive data is hard to find. Oum Ryna, director of the Department of Meteorology at the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology, told Post Weekend that the ...
Thousands forced to evacuate as severe floods hit Rakhine State
Increasing heavy rains have caused severe flooding in the western state of Rakhine, Myanmar, destroying nearly 200 homes and causing serious damage to another hundred across four townships. During the first few days of the flooding, around 1,500 people were evacuated, and about 300 of ...
Migrant deadline passes in Thailand
Cambodian, Burmese and Laotian undocumented workers descended on Thailand’s one-stop service centres for visas and work permits before the closing deadline, as Thai authorities yesterday signalled a crackdown on illegal labour. More than 100,000 Cambodian workers in Thailand could face arrest and deportation after the deadline for ...
Could damming the Mekong destroy south-east Asia's greatest river and food bowl?
Conservationists, politicians and at least one prime minister are warning the quest for hydro power for booming urban centres in China and south-east Asia is threatening the food supply of more than 40 million people, including millions in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s food bowl. Kraisak Choonhavan, ...
