Thailand to send help to Laos after hydropower dam collapse

[webfact]

Thailand to send help to Laos after hydropower dam collapse

 

 

BANGKOK, 25th July 2018 (NNT) - The Thai Prime Minister has instructed officials to provide assistance to Laos, following the collapse of Xepian-Xe Nam Noy hydropower dam in the southern region. 

According to Kiattikhun Chartprasert, the Thai Ambassador-Designate to the Lao PDR, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha gave the instruction to officials after his return from the recent mobile cabinet meeting in the Northeastern region. He was briefed on the situation and immediately sent help and offered words of condolence to neighboring Laos. 

The Ambassador said the Royal Thai Embassy Vientiane will today give funds of 100,000 baht to Laos’ Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Khamphao Ernthavanh as initial financial support. Those wishing to contribute to the relief efforts can donate through the Royal Thai Embassy-Donation Krung Thai Bank account number 945-1-03-115-4. The Thai Embassy in Vientiane is also accepting dry food, survival kits, drinking water and medicines. For more information about donations, please call 66 2354 6195-6 extension number 111 or 856 21 214 581-3 extension number 111. 

Last night, Laos’ state media reported hundreds of people missing and several feared dead after a hydropower dam under construction in southern Laos collapsed, causing flash flooding which swept away homes. 

The Lao News Agency reports that the disaster has left more than 6,600 people homeless. A video on social media shows villagers wading through muddy flood waters carrying belongings. ABC Laos news reported that officials have brought boats to help evacuate people in San Sai district of Attapeu province, where the Xepian-Xe Nam Noy hydropower dam is located, as water levels rise after the collapse. 

The company building the dam said heavy rain and flooding caused the collapse that released five billion cubic meters of water and it is cooperating with the Laos government to help rescue villagers near the dam. 

According to ABC Laos News, Thai rescuers have arrived at the site to provide assistance, while adding that local residents have taken to social media to express their gratitude toward Thailand for the gesture of help.

 

-- nnt 2018-07-25

[thequietman]

Now, if we could just figure out the origin of the company who are involved in the building of this dam. I know one of them is Korea but the other country slips my mind!

 

Any ideas? Anyone?

[khwaibah]

49 minutes ago, webfact said:

The Ambassador said the Royal Thai Embassy Vientiane will today give funds of 100,000 baht to Laos’ Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

 

About 3,000 USD. This has to be a misprint or a joke.☹️

[happy chappie]

5 minutes ago, khwaibah said:

 

About 3,000 USD. This has to be a misprint or a joke.☹️

I doubt it and why ask for donations to a bank account.this multi national company are responsible for this catastrophe and should be made to pay for their negligence and pronto.not next year.they stood to make vast money from the construction but I suspect they will be ducking and diving their way out of it.

[cmsally]

1 hour ago, thequietman said:

Now, if we could just figure out the origin of the company who are involved in the building of this dam. I know one of them is Korea but the other country slips my mind!

 

Any ideas? Anyone?

According to the BBC it is Lao, Thai and S Korean. Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding being the main Thai stakeholder.

 

Quote

Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding Public Company Limited, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, operates a 3,645 megawatt power plant comprising the thermal generating units and the combined cycle generating Units. Its power output is sold entirely to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) under a 25-year purchase agreement.

 

From news there are 2 Korean companies with a large stake, the Thai company holds 25% and the Laos 24 %. I assume the Koreans have 51 % if there is no other partner.

I will try and dig up the article but just lost the link.

[holy cow cm]

Why so generous? Is the rest of the money funding and fueling the next election buying.

[Darcula]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

heavy rain and flooding caused the collapse

 

If only they had built a dam earlier.

[Vacuum]

31 minutes ago, holy cow cm said:

Why so generous? Is the rest of the money funding and fueling the next election buying.

Didn't know the Royal Thai Embassy Vientian had an election planned.

[warrima]

Vern is free now, we could send him over!

[holy cow cm]

7 minutes ago, Vacuum said:

Didn't know the Royal Thai Embassy Vientian had an election planned.

Everything is cleared and controlled by Pinocchio. 

[sirineou]

1 hour ago, khwaibah said:

 

About 3,000 USD. This has to be a misprint or a joke.☹️

That was my reaction as I read it also. It has to be a misprint.

[from the home of CC]

I contracted to one of these firms on a 14 billion dollar build in Canada last year (oil sand extraction/processing). From what I saw this whole debacle is understandable.

[klauskunkel]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The Thai Prime Minister has instructed officials to provide assistance to Laos, following the collapse of Xepian-Xe Nam Noy hydropower dam in the southern region.

They are bringing the mini-sub

[CanuckThai]

1 hour ago, from the home of CC said:

I contracted to one of these firms on a 14 billion dollar build in Canada last year (oil sand extraction/processing). From what I saw this whole debacle is understandable.

What project in the patch were you on (sounds like Horizon, Kearl or Fort Hills)

Edited July 25, 2018 by CanuckThai

[webfact]

Thai rescue team arrives in Laos to help victims of dam collapse

By Thai PBS

 

 

A forward team of about 30 rescuers and life-saving experts of a private relief organization known as “Hook 31 Foundation” in Nakhon Ratchasima or Korat is waiting to cross the border into Laos to help victims of flooding that resulted from the collapse of a hydropower dam in southeastern Attapeu province’s Sanamxay district.

 

They were equipped with rescue boats, diving gear and medical kits for first-aid treatment.

The team departed from a rallying point in front of the statue of Thao Suranree at 8pm on Tuesday and has reportedly arrived at Chongmex border check-point in Ubon Ratchathani before crossing into Laos.

 

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/thai-rescue-team-arrives-laos-help-victims-dam-collapse/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2018-07-25

[from the home of CC]

2 hours ago, CanuckThai said:

What project in the patch were you on (sounds like Horizon, Kearl or Fort Hills)

Fort Hills

[Stargeezr]

Does the words Rainy Season not mean anything to the Asians building that dam?

  Why did they not have a way to keep the water from getting too deep?

Geezer