Chiang Rai News
Mekong River Dams Threaten Traditional “Gai Harvesting” in Northern Thailand
Hydroelectric dams along the Mekong River have interrupted the river’s flow, causing serious damage to the complex ecosystems and rich biodiversity on which millions of people in the Mekong basin rely for a living.
According to experts and people, this has threatened peoples ability to mitigate and adapt to the changing climate.
The last monsoon rains gave way to a cool north wind, signalling the start of the Mekong Region’s dry season. This is the season for villagers along the Mekong River’s border between Chiang Rai and Bokeo province in Laos to start harvesting “Gai,” or Mekong River algae.
Gai, a local delicacy and key source of nourishment, can only be gathered from December to April when the water is low and clear enough for the freshwater algae to thrive.
Local women on both sides of the Mekong assemble on sandy islets in the middle of the river as Gai begins to bloom in early December to pick the season’s first harvest.
Traditionally, women harvest gai while males fish. Women have been gathering gai in the Mekong River since childhood. Gai and river fish have been important to local people’s lives and livelihoods since prehistoric times.
Most residents are farmers who face an increasing danger of crop damage and revenue loss due to variable weather patterns.
The river’s abundant resources are critical in boosting local populations’ resistance to climate change, as they may rely on Mekong fish and gai for additional food and money.
Because dams have negatively influenced fish and other food sources, gai is currently the only natural resource that locals can reliably take from the river. River flow disruptions are now threatening the gai harvest.
During the dry season, the hydro dams cause the river’s water level to increase and fall fast. This slows the growth of gai and raises the risk of drowning for those who collect the algae from the rocks in the sandy riverbed where it flourishes.
Niwat Roykaew, founder of the Chiang Khong Conservation Group, told ThaiPBS, hydropower development has been advocated as a clean energy source that will assist Mekong countries in reducing their reliance on fossil fuels and improving energy stability.
However, he added that development comes at a high cost to the ecosystem and the livelihoods of the Mekong’s people.
“People living along the Mekong are now facing serious threats to their lives and livelihoods, as a river that used to provide them with essential resources is now being killed by hydropower dams.”
Hydropower projects, according to Niwat, are inflicting such significant changes to the Mekong River that it may soon lose its significance as the lifeblood of ecosystems and livelihoods throughout Southeast Asia.
“The fluctuating water level is the first major issue.” Dams do more than only raise water levels during the dry season, affecting the gai harvest.
They also cause water levels to drop during the rainy season, disrupting the breeding cycles of aquatic creatures in the river, typically travelling to the nearby wetlands to spawn in the floodwater,” he explained.
“Without this seasonal flood pulse, the Mekong River is dying, and a lot of fish species are quickly disappearing.”
He stressed that the dams’ ecological degradation directly impacts the daily lives of local people, who rely heavily on the resources given by the river ecology. These people are now facing food and financial insecurity, as well as a loss of ability to adapt to climate change.
Thai authorities, he claims, are worsening the situation.
“The impacts of hydropower dams can be vividly seen, but the Thai government is still going ahead with agreements to purchase energy from three hydropower dam projects – Pak Lay, Luang Prabang, and Pak Beng,” added the official.
“Hydropower is branded as cheap and clean energy, but its cheapness comes at a high cost to the Mekong River and environment and this cost is being paid by local people who are losing their livelihoods forever.”
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Thailand’s Mysterious Naga Fireballs Rise From the Mekong River
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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