Chiang Rai Times
Farmers in Thailand Welcoming New Law Allowing Cultivation of Marijuana for Medical Use
Farmers in Thailand are welcoming a new law allowing cultivation and use of marijuana for medical purposes Wednesday, in an Asian first that promises an economic bonanza but also fears that foreign companies could reap the rewards. Thailand’s National Assembly passed a bill Tuesday legalizing the use ...
Agence France-Presse
The Fight with China Over the Mekong River Basin
Countries in the Mekong River Basin, notably those located in the lower part of the river – Asia’s seventh longest – are in need of a collective strategy to secure their future, given China’s control of the upstream part and ongoing changes in global geopolitics. ...
Six Mekong Countries to Intensify “Safe Mekong Initiative” as Drug Production Increases
The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) secretary-general Niyom Termsrisuk announced yesterday that a heightened cooperation between six countries as part of the anti-drug Safe Mekong initiative has contributed to the interception of large drug hauls entering Thailand from neighboring Mekong countries. Keep reading ...
China Pushes Free-Trade Zone in Mekong Region with Thailand, Laos
As the trade war with the U.S. intensifies, China is looking to strengthen commercial ties with countries in the Mekong region of Southeast Asia by setting up a free-trade zone on the border between Thailand and Laos. In the planned zone, Beijing will waive tariffs ...
Meteorological Department Warns Northern Thailand to Brace for Heavy Rain and Mekong River Overflows
The tropical storm is expected to blow over Hong Kong and China’s Hainan island during September 13-14 and this will bring more rain to Laos and Thai provinces bordering Mekong river with danger of river overflows. Keep reading ...
Drugs Flooding Over Thailand’s Borders as Safe Mekong Initiative Intensifies
CHIANG RAI – Large quantities of methamphetamine and crystal meth have flooded into Thailand this year as producers have tripled output to keep up with intensified crackdown efforts. The Safe Mekong Coordination Centre in Chiang Mai held meetings over the weekend amongst the six countries in the ...
Eight North Korean Defectors Detained after Crossing Mekong River into Chiang Khong District of Chiang Rai
Police in Chiang Khong district of Chiang Rai have detained eight suspected (DPRK) North Korean defectors were intercepted at the Chiang Rai border, 7 women and one child Thursday while patrolling the banks of the Mekong River. Keep reading ...
China Defends Dam Building on Mekong River as Activists Head to Court
Officials from southwest China’s Yunnan province have defended a plan to build a dam in the region as “fully legally compliant”, after an environment group took developers of the project to court last month for violating laws. Keep reading ...
Editor
Navigation Warning on Mekong River as Water Level Recedes in Chiang Rai
The Marine Office in Chiang Rai province has warned operators of cargo and cruise boats between Chiang Rai and South China in the Mekong River to be extra cautious as the the water level has receded considerably in recent days, stranding several cargo boats in ...
Editor
Rak Chiang Khong Seeks Help from Chinese Environmentalist Group Over Dam Projects on Mekong River
Rak Chiang Khong a local conservation group based in Chiang Rai province is contacting the Beijing-based Friends of Nature (FON) to seek advice on Chinese overseas investments in dam projects, Sor Rattanamanee Polkla, a lawyer for the Mekong Legal Network told the Bangkok Post. The group, ...
Editor