[Tlc] TLC-Dam of Mekhong

[justinm at ucr.edu]

2007-1104 - The Nation - Plan for massive dam on Mekong

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/11/04/headlines/headlines_30054816.php

Headlines
HYDRO POWER
Plan for massive dam on Mekong

Published on November 4, 2007

Project likely to draw protests from neighbours, academic warns

The Energy Ministry is conducting a feasibility study on the
construction of a massive hydroelectric dam on the Mekong
River which could be opposed by countries downstream.

The proposed dam in the northeastern province of Ubon
Ratchathani would power a 1,800-megawatt generator for an
estimated investment of Bt90 billion.

Prof Prakob Virojkut, president of Ubon Ratchathani
University, said the project would be likely to face several
major obstacles, especially opposition from Laos, Cambodia and
Vietnam.

Building the massive structure on the Mekong, an international
river, would affect the flow of water and hinder river
transport as well as the ecosystem, according to Prakob.

"However, we should wait for the study's findings to see if
there are more pros than cons. It won't be easy to implement
such a massive scheme since there would be a wide range of
impacts domestically and internationally," he said, adding
that Laos might be the first nation to oppose the idea because
the project would affect its sales of electricity to Thailand.

Panya Consultant and Mako Consultant have been commissioned to
carry out the feasibility study on the dam project and
complete it by April.

Pinyo Boonyong, president of the Phonaklang Sub-district
Administrative Organisation, Khong Jiam, Ubon Ratchatani
province, said little information on the scheme had been given
to local residents so far.

He said other sub-districts on the banks of the Mekong had
only recently been told of the project by the ministry's
Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency
(DEDE).

They are Huay Phai in Khong Jiam district and Samrong, Phosai
and Nhamtang in Sri Moung Mai district.

"Most villagers who live on the Mekong would be negative about
such a project, as was the case 17 years ago with the
construction of the Pak Moon Dam. If the government went ahead
with this project, there would be local residents opposing it
due to their previous negative experience.

"In the past couple of years, China has started building dams
upstream on the Mekong. Many people have since complained that
there is now less water for agriculture, because lots of water
is diverted for electricity generation by the Chinese," he said.

Pinyo said the government would also have to thoroughly
consider compensation and resettlement programmes for affected
villagers if it went ahead with the scheme.

The Nation
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November 5, 2007 12:25 am (Thai local time)
www.nationmultimedia.com

______________
Dr. Justin McDaniel
Dept. of Religious Studies
2617 Humanities Building
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA 92521
951-827-4530
justinm at ucr.edu