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Selected environmental stories from media outlets in the Mekong region and beyond.

Toyo-Thai Pursues Myanmar Coal Plant

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In April, Thailand-based Toyo-Thai Corporation PCL signed a memorandum of agreement with the Myanmar’s Ministry of Electricity to construct a 1,280 megawatt coal-fired power plant near the coastal village of Inn Din in Mon State. One month later 5,000 people staged a protest near the seaside Inn Din project site in Ye Township. Public opposition has been mounting since the project was first announced last year.

EGAT to solve power plant resistance

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Lieutenant General Anantaporn Kanjanarat, Minister of Energy visited and delivered energy policy to Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), has ordered EGAT to provide clear information on electric power generation, back up plan and the fuel proportion used to produce electricity. EGAT is also requested to provide electricity purchase plan from abroad to present to public and investors to have better understanding on current country electricity situation. This measure happened after anti-coal fired power plants movement in many areas. Thailand’s electricity backup still remains high, the government does not urgently need to invest in new power plants, said the anti-coal fired power plant group.

People affected by Thailand National Power Development Plan (PDP2015) call for scrapping of new plan

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The approval of Thailand National Power Development Plan (PDP2015) 2015-2035 will lead to the construction of up to 57,459 megawatts of power plants in next 20 years by referring to country energy security. The examination of the plan has found several irregularities, especially the PDP2015 will lead to excessive and unnecessary construction of power plants and create long term burden for all Thai consumers, at 6.7 hundred billion Baht. Energy is a key factor for social development however energy security should be for the well-being of people, to improve quality of life, local economy. At the same time, it must also take into account the sustainability of the environment and resources for next generations.

Global forest loss reached 46 million acres in 2014

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Global forest loss amounted to 18.7 million hectares (46 million acres) in 2014, a decline of about 9 percent relative to 2013 and 20 percent compared to 2012, according to data released today by a team of researchers from the University of Maryland and Google. Researchers pointed out some notable hotspots, including spikes in forest loss in the Mekong region, especially Cambodia, for rubber plantations.

Multilateral Development Banks and Safeguards

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Independent evaluations at multilateral development banks (MDBs) have called for a reform of the system of safeguards that they use to deflect potential damages to communities and the environment associated with the investments they finance. Without such mitigation, roads can harm habitats, dams displace communities and slum rebuilding hurt livelihoods.