Thailand

An investigation of the Xayaburi Dam site by International Rivers revealed that Thai company Ch. Karnchang has already undertaken significant resettlement and construction activities, contrary to claims that only preliminary work is underway. Despite Ch. Karnchang’s recent statements that it will comply with the Lao government’s commitment to postpone construction until there is regional agreement, International Rivers found construction activities underway during a visit last week to the dam site and 15 affected villages. Recent activities include dredging to deepen and widen the riverbed at the dam site, the construction of a large concrete retaining wall

Fujitsu of Japan is offering to allow the Thai government to use its innovative environment monitoring system to ease pollution at Map Ta Phut industrial estate through a pilot project.

Regional pressure is building on Laos as its neighbors continue to push for the termination of the controversial Xayaburi hydro dam project in the country’s north.

Researchers in the United States say agricultural waste from coconut and mango farming could generate significant amounts of off-grid electricity for rural communities in South and South-East Asia. Many food crops have tough, inedible parts that cannot be used to feed livestock or fertilise fields. Examples of this material — known as “endocarp” — include coconut, almond and pistachio shells, and the stones of mangoes, olives, plums, apricots and cherries.

According to an environmental green group, the government of Thailand is defying a regional decision-making process by proceeding with the implementation of a controversial USD3.8 billion hydropower dam project in northern Laos. At a December meeting of the Mekong River Commission ministers from Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam agreed to delay a decision on whether construction of the controversial Xayaburi Dam in Laos should proceed, pending further environmental impact studies. As of last month those studies had not even been funded but, according to International Rivers, the Thai Government is pushing ahead with the project.