Thailand is close to completing one the world’s biggest floating hydro-solar hybrid projects on the surface of a dam, a step toward boosting renewable energy production after years of criticism for reliance on fossil fuels.
Category: Region
Selected environmental stories from media outlets in the Mekong region and beyond.
Environmental art initiative aims to help paint a better future for Southeast Asia
The arts initiative is intended to complement conservation work in locations like Salween Peace Park in Myanmar and Indonesia’s Leuser Ecosystem.
US Hits Myanmar Pearl, Timber Companies With Sanctions
US Hits Myanmar Pearl, Timber Companies With Sanctions
Against the currents
This final part of the two-episode series explores people affected by dam projects along the Mekong who have joined hands to push for change
Lancang-Mekong Cooperation: After five fruitful years, a new journey awaits
China has formed a community with a shared future with the Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar respectively. In the spirit of upholding our independence, relying on our own strength and pursuing extensive consultation.
Air pollution: Asia’s deadliest public health crisis isn’t COVID
The haze spreads across northern Thailand. For at least the last 15 years, neighboring Chiang Mai Province has endured days with the highest PM2.5 readings in the world. Unlike many parts of Asia, the crisis in northern Thailand is not caused by belching power stations and factories, or cheap fuel and ancient vehicles. The problem comes from fires deliberately lit to burn forests and agricultural byproducts. Lung cancer and respiratory disease rates have soared.
Mekong fishing communities change focus after COVID-19
Fishing communities along the Mekong River who lost their jobs returned to relying on fishing in the hope of securing their livelihoods during the pandemic but face a recent decline in catches.
Trung Nam Group inaugurates wind power plant in Vietnam
Combined with a 204MW solar power plant, the new facility is said to be the largest and only renewable energy solar and wind power complex in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
Victims of southern Lao dam disaster start to rebuild lives
Families have taken occupancy of 153 newly-built houses, while the construction of another 547 houses is underway, local daily Vientiane Times reported on Monday.
Activists urge French engineering firm Razel-Bec to withdraw from military-backed dam project in Shan State
The company has partnered with a military-linked conglomerate to develop the controversial 280-megawatt hydropower dam on the Namtu river near the towns of Hsipaw and Kyaukme.