Environment and natural resources
MWA: Bangkok will not run out of tap water
The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority has categorically denied reports that Bangkok’s tap water supply would last only 30 more days if there was no rain. MWA governor Thanasak Watanathana said possible tap water disruption in a month was based on the assumption there would be no rainfall. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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, ...
Groups call for halt on construction of major dam in Laos
The environmental group International Rivers has called on Laos to suspend construction of a major dam on the Mekong River and to continue talks with its concerned neighbours downstream. The Don Sahong Dam, which would spread across the river just above the Cambodian border, is a ...
Saving Laos from global warming
The fragile relationship between agriculture and climate in Laos is imperiled. From the riverine paddies to the limestone karst, Laos’ subsistence farmers—about 80 percent of the rural population—depend on getting the right amount of rain at the right time. But in recent years, changes in ...
Community opposition impeding consultations on controversial dam: Australian firm
An Australian company contracted to assess the potential environmental and social impact of the planned Mongton dam has responded to recent criticism of the consultation process, saying that interference with its data collection efforts could lead to “suboptimal outcomes for the affected communities.” The Snowy Mountains ...
Mekong fishing leading to erosion
Intensive shrimp aquaculture and destructive fishing practices have contributed to coastal erosion and reduced biodiversity in Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Ben Tre, Vietnam, according to a community-based project carried out in the region. The project’s community eco-tourism model was implemented in Thanh Phong Commune in ...
Australian-controlled Thai gold mine faces accusations of polluting water supply
An Australian-controlled gold mine in central Thailand is facing fresh accusations of polluting local water supplies with villagers demanding a new investigation into the mine’s operations. The Akara (Chatree) mine is controlled by Sydney-based Kingsgate Consolidated limited and located 280km north of Bangkok. The accusations follow earlier charges ...
Thai customs seize 511 pieces of elephant ivory destined for Laos
More than three tonnes of elephant ivory have been found at a Thai port stashed in a container shipped from Kenya, customs said on Monday, the second huge haul of tusks from Africa in less than a week. The discovery, which would be worth millions of ...
