Mekong Dam Projects Will Cost More In Damages For Thailand

[webfact]

Mekong dam projects will cost more in damages, says MRC report

By Chularat Saengpassa,

Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

A recent report from the Mekong River Commission revealed that 12 dams in Lower Mekong River would cause serious problems for the two million people living downstream in Laos, Thailand and Cambodia.

The report entitled "MRC SEA for Hydropower on mekong Mainstream, Impact Assessment and Discussion Draft" was presented at a regional meeting held to assess the impact of the mekong River dam projects.

The report showed that if the 12dam project went ahead, it would adversely affect poor people living downstream in the three countries. These people live along the river in rural areas and depend heavily on agriculture and other natural resources for income.

According to the report, Laos will have a dam each in Pak Beng, Luang Prabang, Saiyaburi, Pak Lay, Latsua, Don Sahong and Thakho; the ThaiLao border will have three dams, namely Sanakham, Pak Chom and Ban Koum; while Cambodia will have two dams, namely Stung Treng and Sambor.

The report showed that the Pak Chom and Ban Koum dams on the ThaiLao border would affect 588,189 people living in Loei province, and 413,140 people in Ubon Ratchathani. It added that these dams would also change the boundary lines between the two countries.

Dam construction projects in Lower mekong River would also have an adverse effect on the wetlands, ecological system and the economy. Damages to the wetlands would be to the tune of Bt224 million per year, the report said.

The report also showed that the 12 dams would stop 55 per cent of the river from flowing freely. The mekong would become a huge reservoir and the dams will destroy natural islets, sandbanks and hamper the incubation of freshwater tropical fish and other aquatic animals. Plus the dams will affect Mekong's more than 40 tributaries.

Senator Prasarn Marukpitak said yesterday that the Thai delegation had voiced opposition to the project at the mekong River Commission (MRC) meeting.

Prasarn chairs the Senate subcommittee studying the value, development and impacts on the mekong subregion. The meeting was also attended by delegations from Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.

"Though these dams can generate power, there are in fact several other alternative energy sources we can rely on," Prasarn pointed out. "I think we should let the mekong flow naturally. Humans should not interfere with its course."

He said his panel would soon decide whether it should forward its opinion on the project to the government for further action.

According to him, Thailand and Laos had signed a memorandum of understanding for the construction of the Ban Koum Dam during the Samak Sundaravej government. However, the construction could not go ahead on the Thai side due to strong opposition from the public.

"The construction on the Laos side has already started," Prasarn said.

-- The Nation 2010-07-02

[gotlost]

the construction could not go ahead on the Thai side due to strong opposition from the public.

How do you construct half a dam?

[matador007]

Seems like the Laos side doesn't give a dam

Sorry, I couldn't help myself

[OzMick]

"Though these dams can generate power, there are in fact several other alternative energy sources we can rely on," Prasarn pointed out.

I would really like to know what these are!

[pookiki]

With global warming being a major concern, there are very few effective alternatives to power generation other than hydropower. During the 1930's, the US brought electricity to rural areas by building numerous dams and hydropower projects. Maybe building more dams could have averted the tragic environmental tragedy in the Gulf with oil continuing to. Yes, dams change the environment and cause people to be relocated. As long as there is sufficient transparency and people are adequately compensated for the loss of land and relocation, these projects should not be rejected out of hand. Electricity is necessary for development and to alleviate poverty. Thailand should not blame Laos for wanting the same level of development that Thai people enjoy.

[billd766]

Already the Mekong is in trouble with the Chinese building the 3 Gorges dam_n and dynamiting the river for shipping traffic.

Unfortunately still further down the river lies Vietnam and a large number of people down there also rely on the Mekong for a living.

The more dams you put in the less water will arrive at the far end and more people will be affected.

One of the best ways to cut down energy conservation is to have less population because less people means less food, shelter and energy is consumed.

The next major wars in the world will be fought over "clean" water supplies and as always those further upstream will always win unless the countries downstream want to go to war.

What is really needed NOW is far better water management by all countries.

[Rucharee]

Mekong Dam Projects may Cost More In Damages For Thailand, but it will bring water here, otherwise people may die due to water shortage.

[billd766]

Mekong Dam Projects may Cost More In Damages For Thailand, but it will bring water here, otherwise people may die due to water shortage.

And for the people downstream.........?

[Thai at Heart]

Already the Mekong is in trouble with the Chinese building the 3 Gorges dam_n and dynamiting the river for shipping traffic.

Unfortunately still further down the river lies Vietnam and a large number of people down there also rely on the Mekong for a living.

The more dams you put in the less water will arrive at the far end and more people will be affected.

One of the best ways to cut down energy conservation is to have less population because less people means less food, shelter and energy is consumed.

The next major wars in the world will be fought over "clean" water supplies and as always those further upstream will always win unless the countries downstream want to go to war.

What is really needed NOW is far better water management by all countries.

Does the 3 Gorges (on the Yangtze river, not the Mekong) have any effect on the Mekong?

[RickBradford]

The governments are dammed (ha-ha) if they do and damned if they don't.

All of them need more power for industrialization and development, and hydro is an attractive option. But, as pointed out, there are serious potential negative effects of damming on the Mekong and the people and creatures who rely on it.

Much better to set aside 50sq km of land somewhere near where Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia meet, and build a bunch of nuclear reactors. Finance it out of the billions of dollars being wasted on the 'global warming' hysteria, and build and run it with western expertise and personnel, if necessary.

Result: a better life for the poor people of the region, and a more natural and sustainable Mekong. And who opposes the nuclear solution? The environmentalists. It's hard to know what they want, sometimes; that's if they know themselves, of course.........

[Thai at Heart]

The governments are dammed (ha-ha) if they do and damned if they don't.

All of them need more power for industrialization and development, and hydro is an attractive option. But, as pointed out, there are serious potential negative effects of damming on the Mekong and the people and creatures who rely on it.

Much better to set aside 50sq km of land somewhere near where Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia meet, and build a bunch of nuclear reactors. Finance it out of the billions of dollars being wasted on the 'global warming' hysteria, and build and run it with western expertise and personnel, if necessary.

Result: a better life for the poor people of the region, and a more natural and sustainable Mekong. And who opposes the nuclear solution? The environmentalists. It's hard to know what they want, sometimes; that's if they know themselves, of course.........

Oh stop talking sense. They can't even decide about Phrae Viharn.

[apetley]

"Though these dams can generate power, there are in fact several other alternative energy sources we can rely on," Prasarn pointed out.

I would really like to know what these are!

Hot air for one!