News
Pak Mun Dam: 25 years after World Bank’s loan, problems remains

The Pak Mun Dam was constructed on the Mun River, a tributary of the Mekong River, in Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand. Preliminary construction of the dam began in mid-1990. The dam was met by intense opposition not only by the local communities but also international ...
Deal to develop QSNCC reached

The Treasury Department has come to an agreement with liquor tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, the owner of N.C.C. Management & Development Co, for the second phase of the upgrade of Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. All issues including investment size, the concession period and the overall trajectory ...
Second phase of Nam Ou hydropower project kicks off
The Nam Ou River Basin Hydropower Project located in Phongsaly and Luang Prabang provinces has launched its second phase of construction in Vientiane on April 28, after completing the Nam Ou 2, 5 and 6 hydropower plants during the first phase. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister ...
Energy and electricity merger complete

A merger between the ministries of electric power and energy, ordered by the new government in March, is now complete and the new structure will be submitted to the cabinet for approval, officials said. U Pe Zin Tun will head up the new ministry. The ...
Mekong Delta loses half of silt to upstream dams: scientists

Scientists said the Mekong Delta is suffering from the cumulative impacts of saltwater intrusion, erosion and declining groundwater levels as a result of El Nino and the upstream dams. Tran Cong Lap is among many farmers who are well aware of the impacts said “Saltwater has been ...
Government cancels offshore oil field deal
Mirach Energy, the Singapore firm with a 48-percent stake in one of Cambodia’s offshore oil fields, announced last week that the government had canceled its deal with the firm and invited it to reapply with new investors. “MME noted in the letter to CPHL Cambodia that ...
World Bank helps Vietnam improve transport, flood control

The World Bank on 29 April approved more than US$500 million in support for improvements to road and bridge connections as well as flood control and sanitation conditions in Vietnam. The project aims to protect more than 255,000 residents and about 5,720 hectares out of 8,390 frequently ...
Billions planned to stem water shortages

Mandalay Region government is to spend billions bringing drinking water to more than 100 villages that they fear could run dry over the next few weeks. U Myo, deputy director of the region’s Urban Development Department, said on 22 April that K172.45 billion provided by the ...
Vietnamese tycoons compete with big foreign companies

In many ‘duels’, it is not the foreign giants with powerful financial capability and experience, but rather the Vietnamese conglomerates who are the winners. With a deal worth VND1.4 trillion, Anco has become the strategic shareholder of Vissan, the move that allows it to officially join the ...
Scenes from a drought

Across the country of Cambodia, water scarcity is threatening health and livelihoods. In what may be the worst regional drought in more than 50 years, brought on by an El Niño cycle exacerbated by climate change, water shortages have been declared in 18 of the ...