Published on: Monday, February 01, 2021
By: Nikkei Asia, The Star
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The Mekong river bordering Thailand and Laos is seen from the Thai side in Nong Khai. – Photo by Reuters
BANGKOK: Thailand has threatened to sink plans for a Chinese-developed dam planned for the Mekong River in neighbouring Laos, in a rare rebuke that hints at a rising tide of dissension in an area where all three countries share South-East Asia’s largest waterway, reports Nikkei Asia.
Thailand has raised objections to the US$2 billion Sanakham Dam since late last year, when government officials broke diplomatic protocol and made critical statements in the media against the project.
1:31 PM MYT BANGKOK, Jan 31: Thailand has threatened to sink plans for a Chinese-developed dam planned for the Mekong River in neighboring Laos, in a rare rebuke that hints at a rising tide of dissension in an area where all three countries share South-East Asia s largest waterway, reports
NIkkei Asia.
Thailand has raised objections to the US$2 billion Sanakham Dam since late last year, when government officials broke diplomatic protocol and made critical statements in the media against the project.
The dam, which is being developed by China Datang, is due to generate 684 megawatts of electricity when it comes online by 2028 and is considered an integral part of the Laotian government s strategy to become the battery of South-East Asia.
Downtown Pattani is flooded on Monday. ABDULLAH BENJAKAT
A government committee on Thursday approved four flood prevention projects in Bangkok and a water supply project in Pattani.
The projects were approved at a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, said Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) secretary-general Somkiat Prajamwong.
The first project will see a reinforced concrete dam built on Klong Bang Phai and Klong Phraya Ratchamontri in Nonthaburi, which is designed to retain 183,600 cubic metres of water and help drain excess water from the area.
The project, which will take four years to complete, will help prevent flood across a 14-square kilometre area, covering Phasi Charoen, Bang Khae, Nong Khaem and Thawi Watthana districts.
ONWR pushes drought mitigation plan
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BANGKOK (NNT) - ONWR chair DPM Gen Prawit Wongsuwan has ordered related agencies to solve the flooding disaster in the southern region and prepare a mitigation plan for the expected drought disaster this year, minimizing the impact on the general public.
The Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) Secretary General Somkiat Prajamwong has announced the outcome of a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, saying that the ONWR will be working to instigate short-term drought mitigation projects such as the construction of groundwater wells for a March-April completion, while developing a long-term plan to find good sources of ground water.
Thailand eyes seawater desalination to ensure freshwater for Eastern Economic Corridor project - Xinhua xinhuanet.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from xinhuanet.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.