News
RCEP trade deal: Will Myanmar really benefit?
Existing free trade agreements and longstanding non-trade barriers could limit the RCEP’s impact on Myanmar, but the country may benefit from increased investment due to improved access to global value chains. The signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership on November 15 made headlines across the ...
MYAT MYAT MON and BERNARD MINN
Preah Vihear park dwellers receive land to relocate
The Preah Vihear Provincial Authority has decided to provide 10ha to 31 families in exchange for relocating from the Techo Sen Russey Treb Park – which is currently under the management of the Royal Academy of Cambodia – to prevent them from continuing to clear ...
Nov Sivutha
Thai protests slow transition to renewables
Mass protests against Thailand’s government and monarchy are creating political uncertainty that is likely to last for an extended period—and make the country’s renewable energy targets harder to meet. Protesters have three main aims: the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, reform of the monarchy and ...
Covid Infections, and Blame, Rise Along Southeast Asian Borders
The border between Thailand and Myanmar is more than 1,500 miles long, much of it thickly forested. Myanmar has suffered runaway transmission of the coronavirus. Thailand, so far, has not. But over the past couple of weeks, at least 19 Covid-19 cases in Thailand have been ...
Hannah Beech
Covid exposing weakness, inequality of Thai education: World Bank
A new World Bank report links declining student performances in reading and stagnation in maths and science scores to inequality and inefficiency of investment across Thai schools. School closures due to the Covid-19 pandemic may accelerate these trends, warns the report released on Wednesday (December 9). ...
Wichit Chaitrong
CDC approves Royal Group’s 700MW coal-fired power plant
The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) on December 8 approved Botum Sakor Energy Co Ltd’s (BSE’s) more-than-$1 billion 700MW coal-fired power station in Koh Kong province’s southwestern Botum Sakor district. Based in Thma Sar commune’s Chamlang Ko village, the CDC noted that the facility ...
Thou Vireak
National Assembly passes 36 laws this year
The National Assembly (NA) has approved 36 laws this year which serve the interests and needs of the Kingdom and its people. Last year it approved only 32 laws, said secretary-general Leng Peng Long. However, while welcoming the approvals, political analyst Em Sovannara said some of ...
Nov Sivutha
Newly thought out strategy for the Mekong
Ministerial delegates from the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Council have now approved a list of strategic documents, charting a new course for it and strengthening its efforts to balance environmental protection and economic development in the Mekong Basin. The MRC Council represents the highest level of ...
Jason Boken
Vietnam to purchase more power from Laos
National utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN) has signed three memoranda to purchase power from Laotian companies amid expected energy shortages. EVN will buy power from two hydropower plants and one coal-fired power plant in neighboring country Laos starting 2024, according to the memorandums of understanding signed Sunday. The ...
Dat Nguyen
Construction of highway connecting Dawei SEZ, Htikhee to commence next year
The construction of a 140-kilometer two-lane highway connecting the Dawei Special Economic Zone (SEZ), in Tanintharyi Region to the Htikhee at the Thai border will commence in mid-2021, according to the Dawei SEZ Management Committee. When complete, it will take travellers from the SEZ about 2.5 ...
Chan Mya Htwe
