Northern Thailand
Xayaburi Dam Developers Submit Multi-Million Dollar Redesign Proposal
An investigation of the Xayaburi Dam site by International Rivers revealed that Thai company Ch. Karnchang has already undertaken significant resettlement and construction activities, contrary to claims that only preliminary work is underway.
LAOS– Amid a lawsuit and a chorus of dissent, developers of the first lower Mekong mainstream hydro-power project, the massive Xayaburi dam, have quietly submitted a long-anticipated, multimillion-dollar redesign plan, the Press has learned.
What exactly has been changed about the 1,260-megawatt dam, which environmentalists contend will decimate migratory fish populations, remains a mystery, however, as the plan isn’t being shared.
“Laos has sent the redesign documents to the Mekong River Commission’s Secretariat only and not to the MRC member countries. Development partners have requested the redesign documents, but they never received them,” said Te Navuth, secretary general of the Cambodian National Mekong Committee.
Navuth added that he has not seen the submitted plans, which, since the dam is already full swing into construction and 40 per cent completed, represent little more than a token gesture.
According to the MRC, an intergovernmental advisory committee, the revised dam plans were submitted in February for an internal assessment.
“The information and our analyses can be shared with the other Member Countries once our analyzing work is done,” said Surasak Glahan, MRC secretariat communications officer. “The Lao government made it clear however, that the sharing of information on the modifications is not to seek approval for the redesign, but rather for them to receive input and expert advice on ways to avoid, minimize and mitigate impacts from the project in a practical way.”
Two years ago, the Lao government announced that the $3.8-billion dam project would see an additional $100 million spent to revamp fish passages and sediment flows in line with recommendations from two enlisted foreign consulting firms: Poyry of Finland and the French Compagnie Nationale du Rhone. But by the time the official groundbreaking ceremony rolled around in November 2012, no one had seen the reworked plans.
Though they haven’t seen the new plan, critics contended that any redesign would be invalid, as there isn’t enough data on hydro-power’s impact to the shared waterways.
“Without comprehensive assessment and disclosure of all project documents and studies that are underway, no one can say or be confident that the mitigation measures will work, as they have never been tested in this region,” said Pianporn Deetes, a coordinator at International Rivers.
The Governor of Mae Hong Son province in northern Thailand has sought stricter rules for tourist tubing on the Pai River, following allegations of tourists sneaking into resort areas to engage in sexual activities, which prompted police reports and considerable criticism online.
After a resort owner in Pai protested about the existing situation of tubing activities along the Pai River, the Governor became aware of the matter. According to the accusations, wine and beer are discreetly offered to tourists while disguised in plastic water bottles to prevent detection.
After their tubing adventures, these tourists, both men and women, would walk around Pai town in their swimsuits. Men often wear one pair of swim briefs, but most women wear two-piece swimsuits or bikinis.
This behavior was considered derogatory to local culture. Recently, there were instances of tourists slipping into resort areas to engage in sexual activities, which prompted police investigations and considerable online criticism.
Following the complaint, provincial governor Chuchip Pongchai requested a meeting of the police and allied authorities on July 16 to explore further tourism restrictions.
The province already restricts the selling of alcohol to tourists who go tubing, which involves floating down a river on inner tubes made of rubber tires. Most people observe the guidelines, but others, including some store owners, break them by concealing the alcohol by pouring it in water bottles.
According to TNA, Pai is one of Northern Thailand’s most popular tourist spots, attracting 40,000 visitors each year and strengthening Thailand’s economy.
Tubing in the Pai River has become a favorite activity among foreigners. However, the governor stated that the attitude of some tourists has jeopardised the province’s image.
Tourists Tubing on Pai River
People Also Reading:
Girl 16 Arrested in Thailand for Defaming Royalty on Facebook
Girl 16 Arrested in Thailand for Defaming Royalty on Facebook
Police in northern Thailand’s Phayao province have arrested a 40-year-old pregnant mother for attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to create bodily harm.
Phayao Police report they were called after a woman and her daughter had been stabbed and beaten by a family member to a house number 206, Soi 7, Village No. 3, Ban San Nong Niao Subdistrict. Tom, Mueang District.
When officers arrived they found Ms. Chayada Chaiyawan, age 45, and her daughter Ms. Patida Chaiyawan, age 19, with injuries to their bodies and heads. Blood was spread all over the bedroom, and they found Mrs. Sakulkarn, aged 40 years, who was a relative living next door, tied up.
The police then transported all of them to Phayao Hospital for treatment. Ms. Chayada was stabbed thirteen times and her daughter twice. Both also sustained head injuries, according to Phayao police.
Ms. Chayada told police the incident occurred around 4:00 a.m. She was sleeping in the room with her young son, when she heard someone opened the bedroom door. She said at that time it was still dark and all she saw a shadow of a person lifting what she though was a hammer.
She said the got up and fought until she fell after being hit in the head and stabbed with a knife, in fear for her life she screamed for her daughter to come and help. When the daughter entered the room the assailant proceeded to hit her in the head and stabbed her also.
The assailant ran out of the room and was immediately restrained by a neighbour who heard the screaming and ran into the house to help. Mrs. Sakulkarn who was 7 months pregnant was tied up and police and rescue workers were called to the scene. The neighbour told police that all the time they were waiting for the police.
Police said Mrs. Sakulkarn is being held in Hospital and is under psychiatric care. Ms. Chayada and her daughter were treated for their injuries and sent home.
According to Thai Media, Police said charges of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to create bodily harm will be filed against Mrs. Sakulkarn after she is released from Hospital.
People also reading:
Phayao Gets City-Class Air Purification Tower for Air Pollution
Phayao Gets City-Class Air Purification Tower for Air Pollution
Five people were killed and two others badly injured when a pickup truck was hit by a north-bound train at an unguarded railway crossing in Phitchit province on Monday evening.
Phitchit police reported the horrific crash occurred around 6 pm at Moo 1 village in tambon Pak Thang of Muang district of Phitchit.
Police said the 201 passenger train from Bangkok to Phitsanulok approached the crossing, which was unguarded and had no safety barriers.
A four-door pickup truck plates drove across the tracks and into the path of oncoming the train which was was unable to stop or slowdown in time to avoid hitting the pickup truck.
The force of the crash drove the pickup about 30 metres down the railway crossing and off to the side. All passengers on the pickup were thrown from the vehicle.
Three women passengers died immediately and two more passengers died later at Phichit Hospital. Two others including the driver of the pickup were seriously injured.
Police investigators said truck driver Pratya Khongthat, 40, was taking relatives, including a 14-yea-old girl, to a funeral at Wat Ratchangkhwan in tambon Pak Thang, approximately one kilometer from the accident scene.
People Also Reading:
Bangkok-Vientiane Inaugural Train Service Launches July 19
-
News3 years agoLet’s Know About Ultra High Net Worth Individual
-
Entertainment2 years ago
Mabelle Prior: The Voice of Hope, Resilience, and Diversity Inspiring Generations
-
Health3 years agoHow Much Ivermectin Should You Take?
-
Tech2 years agoTop Forex Brokers of 2023: Reviews and Analysis for Successful Trading
-
Lifestyles2 years agoAries Soulmate Signs
-
Movies2 years agoWhat Should I Do If Disney Plus Keeps Logging Me Out of TV?
-
Health3 years agoCan I Buy Ivermectin Without A Prescription in the USA?
-
Learning2 years agoVirtual Numbers: What Are They For?