Chiang Rai News
A Shared Commitment to the Future of the Mekong River
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CHIANG RAI – No one knows the Mekong River better than the communities that live along it. For generations, their way of life has been intertwined with the river: fishermen and women, farmers, boat drivers and villagers.
But in recent years the river has changed, becoming more unpredictable and less reliable for the communities that depend on it. The water level close to Chiang Khong in Chiang Rai, Thailand, where the International Day of Action for Rivers activities were held, fluctuates without warning and can change overnight.
Catching fish – enough to eat and sell – is no longer guaranteed. Villagers from Huai Leuk – the last village along the Mekong River in Thailand before it passes into Laos – noted that fishing has dropped by more than 70% in recent years.
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Fishermen in the area previously earned 3,000 Thai Baht, the equivalent of roughly $90 USD, each day from fish catch. This has changed. Fishermen have had to adapt, not only to the limited fish stocks, but to different fishing methods. Now they are only able to fish during a few months of the year and must spend money on different equipment, such as fishing rods, which were never used in the past.
Communities in Cambodia share many of the same concerns. On the Tonle Sap Lake, known as the heart of Cambodia, communities live on floating villages; their main income is generated from fish. Compared to previous years, villagers shared that the number of fish is now much lower. In Kratie, along the mainstream of the Mekong River, locals have noticed a visible change in water quality and similiar unpredictability in fluctuation of water levels: “Some seasons we have a lot of water and sometimes there is no water,” commented one villager.
The changes to the Mekong River will be compounded by plans to build further dams along the lower Mekong mainstream, following in the wake of the Xayaburi and Don Sahong dams, which are already under construction. The Pak Beng Dam, the third dam planned on the Mekong River mainstream, began the regional consultation process in December.
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However, communities in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam have received little information regarding the project, which will be built roughly 90 kilometers downstream from Huai Leuk Village. “We are very concerned about the Pak Beng Dam,” said the village chief. “We are the last village along the Mekong River in northern Thailand, but will be the first affected by the dam.”
Community members from Thailand and Cambodia also voiced concerns about the limited information shared by their governments about projects on the Mekong River and the apparent disregard for the impacts on their people. The current process for review and decision-making on proposed projects on the Mekong mainstream provides limited space for community participation.
To date, it has failed to take into consideration the concerns of local people, or those of neighboring governments formally raised through the Prior Consultation Process. Developers have continued to ignore the transboundary implications of hydropower development on the Mekong River, along with the cumulative impacts as each new project has moved forward.
The Save the Mekong Coalition has addressed concerns to the Mekong River Commission, Mekong governments and international donors regarding the rush to build more dams on the Mekong River despite unresolved questions over the transboundary and cumulative impacts of projects already under construction and the breakdown in shared regional decision-making.
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The Coalition has called for a halt to further decision-making over Mekong mainstream dams until decisions can be informed by and based upon meaningful consultation, particularly with local project-affected communities, and sound basin-wide studies.
Communities in Thailand and Cambodia have experienced similar issues, and their shared concerns regarding dam construction on the river underlines the interconnection of the river and her people. The fight to protect and preserve the Mekong River is not the fight of one community or even one country – it is a struggle shared by people throughout Mekong River basin.
The Mekong River faces increased vulnerability from the construction of dams, rapids blasting, water diversions and climate change. However, in coming together for the International Day of Action for Rivers, local communities – along with Save the Mekong Coalition members and allies from Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and elsewhere – demonstrated the solidarity and resilience of Mekong people fighting for their rivers, their livelihoods and their natural heritage.
Source: International Rivers
Police in Wiang Kaen District of Chiang Rai Province have arrested a 50 year old man after the threatened to rape a 20 year-old woman and the proceeded to murder her 2 and half month old baby.
Police with doctors from Wiang Kaen Hospital and the Chao Luang Wiang Kaen Welfare Association were summoned to the scene of the incident to a 2-story cement house, Village No. 2, Tha Kham Subdistrict, Wiang Kaen District of Chiang Rai
On arrival they found Ms. Chanikarn, age 20, in a state of distress crying uncontrollably beside her 2 and a half month baby girl (Linlada) that was dead on the floor.
After calming Ms. Chanikarn, the child’s mother, said that at approximately 2:30 p.m she was out to collect diapers that had been dried in front of the house, while her 2 and a half month old daughter was sleep on the ground floor of the house.
She said she was suddenly approached by a Mr. Lee, about 40 years old, who lived on the opposite side of the road. He came towards her and grabbed her arm and threatened her saying if she didn’t sleeping with him he will go and kill his daughter.
Miss Chanikan refused and ran away, then Mr. Lee then walked into the house and grabbed Ms. Linlada’s leg, smashing the child’s head against the cement floor of the house. The infant died immediately.
Mr. Lee then just walked away and returned to his own home, leaving Miss Chanikan and her dead baby.
When police went to Mr. Lee’s home he immediately confessed killing the infant and was taken to Wiang Kaen Police Station for further questioning. Under caution he told police that he was sexually attracted to Miss Chanikan‘s and when her husband leave for work he took the opportunity to approach her.
He said when he saw her husband leave he crossed that road and found Miss Chanikan in the yard alone, he then threatened her to sleep with him, saying he would kill her child if she didn’t have sex with him. However when she refused he flew into a fit of rage walked into her home and murdered he baby. He said he was out of control with rage.
After killing the infant he walk across the street to his home and waited for the police to arrive. The police have charged him with premeditated murder and attempted rape. He is being held without bail at the local remand center.
Meanwhile, Miss Chanikan and her family were preparing a religious burial ceremony for the child.
Other Chiang Rai News:
Machete Wielding Man Shot an Killed by Police in Chiang Rai
https://www.chiangraitimes.com/chiangrai-news/machete-wielding-man-shot-an-killed-by-police-in-chiang-rai/
CHIANG RAI: Prime Minister Settha Thavisin has authorized the establishment of an emergency cyber center operated by the Royal Thai Police to combat transnational crimes committed by call center gangs along the Thai border in Chiang Rai province.
On July 19, Prime Minister Settha Thavisin directed the Center to combat information technology crimes. The Royal Thai Police (Royal Thai Police) will crack down on call center gangs in Myanmar, Laos, and along the border.
His directive comes as call center gangs ratchet up their scams to defraud people of their money, causing concern among Thais and jeopardizing the country’s economic and social stability.
Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panphet, Deputy Commander and Director of the Police Crime Suppression Division, Assigned Pol. Lt. Gen. Thatchai Pitanilabut, Assistant Commander-in-Chief of the Police/Deputy Director of the Police Crime Suppression Division, has launched the operation ‘Bombing the Thieves’ Bridge’ in collaboration with the CAT Office, G., mobile phone network operators AIS DTAC TRUE NT, and local security agencies to cut the mobile phone signal and WiFi internet that criminals illegally use to deceive Thai citizens.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Thatchai stated that they will begin pressing the first action of the ‘Explosion of Thieves’ Bridge’ in Chiang Rai Province toward the thieves’ base of operations in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone.
The territory surrounding King Roman in Laos. King Roman is now a full-service entertainment destination with an airport that welcomes travelers from Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, he explained.
According to Pol. Lt. Gen. Thatchai, this operation will have no influence on honest people along the Thai border, and it will only target cyber criminals.
They will also increase the arrest and prosecution of unlawful service towers, such as SIM booths, which allow gangs register SIM cards to swindle the people. Dealing with criminal organizations of foreigners and Thais who band together to deceive and damage Thais.
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) suspended more than three million SIM cards on July 16 because the holders had not verified their identities with their mobile phone operators by the deadline, in accordance with the NBTC’s measures to combat alleged fraudsters’ mule accounts.
The names of the holders of 80 million mobile phone numbers used for mobile banking transactions did not match the names associated with the mobile banking accounts.
The NBTC would require mobile phone companies to authenticate SIM card holders and the names of their mobile banking accounts. The verification procedure is expected to be completed by the end of September this year.
In addition, the NBTC and Royal Thai Police have collaborated to combat illegal telecom towers throughout the country’s borders, disconnecting signals at 465 places, altering antenna direction at 470 towers, and dismantling antennas at 179 locations.
They are certain that the move will disrupt contact center gangs and other types of technology-based crime.
Other Chiang Rai News:
Machete Wielding Man Shot an Killed by Police in Chiang Rai
https://www.chiangraitimes.com/chiangrai-news/machete-wielding-man-shot-an-killed-by-police-in-chiang-rai/
Police in Mae Chan, Chiang Rai, shot and killed a 28-year-old man who allegedly attacked a police officer with a machete. The officer was slashed in the right leg with the machete.
According to police, the culprit, known only as Mr. Toon, had been harassing local villagers in Mae Chan district, Chiang Rai, threatening them with a knife and using violet insults.
The village headman arrived on the scene to try to calm Mr. Toon, but he was shouting hysterically and taking swipes at him with the machete, so he contacted the police.
When the responding officer arrived at the site about 9 p.m., he attempted to calm the man, but he instead assaulted the officer, slashing his right leg with the machete. In self-defense, the cop had to fire his gun at Mr. Toon, striking him in the chest.
Mr. Toon and the policeman were taken to Mae Chan Hospital, where Mr. Toon died of a gunshot wound. Pol Sgt. Sutthikiat Phanomphraisakul was released from the hospital after receiving numerous stitches for his injuries.
Local police received a tip around 9.30 p.m. yesterday that a guy was causing mayhem in the village. When authorities arrived, they discovered 28-year-old Toon strolling along a public road, holding a large knife and threatening people. Mae Chan district officials attempted to contain the incident.
During a search of Mr. Toon’s home, authorities discovered methamphetamine consumption equipment. Locals told authorities that the man was addicted to Yaba (Methamphetamine) and an alcoholic.
The authorities are conducting an inquiry to determine Toon’s motivations and whether any underlying issues contributed to his violent outburst.
Other related news:
Chiang Mai Police Offer Cash Reward After Officer Killed
https://www.chiangraitimes.com/crime/chiang-mai-police-offer-reward/
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