Regional indecision on dams for the Mekong

[Spitfire]

Looks like none of the lower Mekong countries can agree on this and they all have huge plans for more and more dams, even if controversial.

Thailand needs more and more electricity, Laos wants to be the big provider and through that develop themselves into the 21st century. Cambodia has plans of it's own too but all seem to be worried about things like fishing stocks etc as so many of their populations rely on the river but it probably won't stand in the way in the end. Vietnam want in on the decision/action too but agreement seems a long way off.

At least they are making a vague effort to co-operate with each other......for now, anyhow.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/13125556

Somehow though, I can't see them coming to a satisfactory decision for all parties for a long while, if at all, even if they have good intentions/words for now. Laos has got a taste of the cash that flows from Thailand for the electricity it already sells them from that big hydro dam that has recently been completed in the last few years and, as mentioned in the article, are wanting to blaze away at building another in Xayaburi as fast as possible. The Lao's are probably not happy with the result of the meetings they are hosting in Vientiane.

[PeteC]

Access construction started about 6 months ago. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/2 ... ins-on-sly

Will be some very distraught power people in line to lose a fortune. To me, that means construction will continue.

Kudos to the BKK Post and others bringing this all into the forefront of the news. BKK Post has latched onto it now so doubt they'll let it go, unless some prick minister threatens them. Pete