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Construction
Satellite photos show expansion of Chinese-funded naval base in Cambodia
Recent satellite images taken of the coastal area around Sihanoukville, Cambodia, show a significant development of a China-funded naval base that would help Beijing boost its power projection not only in Southeast Asia but also the Taiwan Strait. The Wall Street Journal reported in 2019 that Phnom ...
RFA Staff / Edited by Malcolm Foster
Mekong Countries Pin Development Hopes on Airport Progress
Following three years of pandemic restrictions, Thailand’s eastern seaboard gateway—U-Tapao airport—has returned to the spotlight after deputy government spokesperson Tipanan Sirichana recently said expansion plans would commence in early 2023. Earmarked as an “Aviation City” in 2017, the $8.8 billion mega airport project will occur ...
Jennifer Meszaros
Laos, Thailand Meet to Discuss Railway Project Connecting Vientiane and Nong Khai
The Minister of Public Works and Transport of Laos, Mr. Viengsavath Siphandone, met with Thailand’s Minister of Transport, Mr. Saksayam Chidchob, and his team last week to discuss the project’s development. This was after Thailand’s Department of Rail Transport provided an update on the progress ...
Phontham Visapra
Pristine bay in Phuket under threat from marina developers
A marina developer has plans to turn one of Phuket’s few remaining mangrove forests into a new gateway for luxury yachts and cruises post the Covid-19 pandemic period. In Ao Kung, a quiet bay in the northern part of bustling Phuket island, Sujirtra Thothip stood in ...
Wanpen Pajai
Mekong Delta could get two new bridges
Construction of two bridges across a Mekong tributary are proposed at a cost of VND9 trillion ($386 million) to replace ferry services currently in use. The Ministry of Transport’s My Thuan Project Management Board has called for building the Tan Chau – Hong Ngu and Vam ...
Ngoc Tai
Khun Sea Development Fills In Mekong River Near Arey Ksat Ferry Stop
A representative for prominent tycoon Khun Sea’s company confirmed the firm was responsible for in-filling in the Mekong River very near to the ferry stop at Kandal’s Arey Ksat – after social media users and ferry passengers posted photos of large stony embankments. Photos emerged on ...
Sun Narin, Lors Liblib, VOA Khmer
In Cambodia, this village shows even the wealthy are vulnerable to land grabbing
The river view behind the house was broad and serene, a wide expanse of the Mekong flowing just past the newly occupied villa. A pretty sight, and prime real estate too. So when the sand pumping crews showed up just after the housewarming party late last ...
ANDREW HAFFNER
New highways, bridges set to ease gridlock in Mekong Delta
Several major transport projects that have been completed will ease traffic overload on many of the Mekong Delta’s roads and bridges during the Lunar New Year. Ferry station The Rach Mieu Ferry Station is all set to be completed. Situated 10 kilometers (6.21 miles) from the Rach ...
Hoang Nam
Despite COVID-19 Crunch, China-Mekong Integration Continues
Earlier this week, Myanmar and China formally agreed to begin work on an important section of a long-delayed railway project running from Yunnan province to the Indian Ocean. On January 10, the state-run Myanmar Railways and the China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group (CREEG) signed an agreement to conduct ...
Sebastian Strangio
Construction begins on fifth bridge linking Laos, Thailand
Work on a fifth bridge linking Laos and Thailand across the Mekong River has begun after a construction agreement was signed in December. The bridge, which will take 36 months to build, will connect Bolikhamxay province in Laos to Thailand’s north-eastern province of Bueng Kan. Local daily ...