Hundreds in Chiang Rai Protest the Pak Beng Dam Project

[misskit]

On Sunday, over 150 people gathered in Chiang Rai’s Chiang Khong District to protest the Pak Beng Dam project, which will be built in Laos.


Villagers, community representatives, and local leaders, including village headmen, kamnans, mayors, and representatives from Chiang Saen District, Chiang Khong District, and Wiang Kaen District, convened to voice their opposition to the Pak Beng Dam project.


The Pak Beng Dam is scheduled to be constructed in the Wiang Kaen District of Laos, approximately 96 kilometres from the Thai frontier. Although the study of the cross-border impacts is still ambiguous, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) has already signed a power purchase agreement with the private company developing the dam project.


Mr. Niwat Roikaew, the president of the Rak Chiang Khong Group, stated that the Mekong River rose and overflowed into the Ing River and Kok River this year due to the absence of a drainage system. The Pak Beng Dam will only exacerbate the issue.


He stated that the construction of the Pak Beng dam must be halted due to the ambiguity of the study results and the uncertainty regarding the extent of the water’s rise upon its completion.


Consequently, individuals from various sectors along the Mekong River have convened to share their perspectives and convey the voices of the impacted to those who are accountable.

MORE Hundreds in Chiang Rai Protest the Pak Beng Dam Project

[harrybarracuda]

I feel sorry for these folk, they are really don't understand how fucking clueless their own government is when it comes to water management.

While the North was flooded to shit, and probably will be next year, the North East still has half empty reservoirs, and is looking at severe droughts over the coming years.

[david44]

I feel sorry for these folk, they are really don't understand how fucking clueless their own government is when it comes to water management

They are fully aware but have little influence my side of the river and zero in Lao.

[harrybarracuda]

They are fully aware but have little influence my side of the river and zero in Lao.

Well they're not fully aware if they're protesting a dam in Laos are they?

Build a fucking aqueduct, it's not rocket science and labour is cheap. It would be a great job creator, too.

[david44]

Riparian basins and backflows, ignoring International frontiers are evident if you look at the issues involved.
Labour may seem cheap to us but still has to be paid.
The broader picture is dams can have drawbacks and the Lao government spending almost a quarter of its revenue on the Chinese debt trap. I know Mr Roikaew a very sensible fellow I will listen to him and the local experts to see how it goes,if you are available for helping with an aqueduct I am sure he'll fill you in.

[harrybarracuda]

Riparian basins and backflows, ignoring International frontiers are evident if you look at the issues involved.
Labour may seem cheap to us but still has to be paid.
The broader picture is dams can have drawbacks and the Lao government spending almost a quarter of its revenue on the Chinese debt trap. I know Mr Roikaew a very sensible fellow I will listen to him and the local experts to see how it goes,if you are available for helping with an aqueduct I am sure he'll fill you in.

Yes, amazing how many people are actually ignorant of the facts. I hate the chinkies as much as the next bloke, but pointing the finger at them for this one is a bit daft.

At the meeting of the National Energy Policy Council (NEPC) chaired by PM Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha on May 6, it resolved at once to assign the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) to proceed with power purchase agreements with the developers of three Mekong dams; Luang Prabang, Pak Lay, and Pak Beng.
It was updated about the developer of the Pak Beng project, which is Pak Beng Power Co., Ltd. (PBPC), a joint venture registered in Lao PDR, with China Datang Overseas Investment Co., Ltd. holding 51% of the shares, and a Thai company, Gulf Energy Development Public Co., Ltd. holding 49% of the shares. The contract will last 29 years.