Laignee Barron

Cambodia finalised yesterday its position on Laos’ proposed Don Sahong hydropower dam: unanimous dissent.

“Everybody strongly opposes the project,” said Fisheries Administration director Nao Thuok.

Lying less than 2 kilometres north of the Laos-Cambodian border, the 260-megawatt project could have deleterious effects on shared waterways and fisheries resources. Conservation groups also maintain the dam will jeopardise Cambodia’s Irrawaddy Dolphin population.

Amid growing opposition, the Malaysian developers Mega First Berhad agreed in June to submit the project to a prior consultation process so the four lower Mekong countries could discuss the dam.

As the consultation process comes to a close, all four countries are asked to submit conclusions on the project ahead of a joint committee decision.

Cambodia did not waver from its earlier stance that the dam should be postponed until further studies are conducted.

A technical review of the dam by experts also concluded last month that it largely fails to take into account impacts on downstream Cambodia, where millions rely on the migrating fish for income and nutrients.

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/cambodias-stance-laos-dam-not-shock

That's good to hear. Viva Cambodia!

Thailand probably supports the dam, because it only cares about the electricity it can get from it.

China doesn't care much, because it's an environmental issue, and for Chinese: Money far outweighs environmental concerns. Plus, China is not a signatory to the Mekong River Commission. China just builds as many giant dams as it wants, and screw everyone else.

I assume, other than Laos itself (which of course supports the dam project), there's Vietnam's opinion. Where does VN stand on the issue?

That's good to hear. Viva Cambodia!

Thailand probably supports the dam, because it only cares about the electricity it can get from it.

China doesn't care much, because it's an environmental issue, and for Chinese: Money far outweighs environmental concerns. Plus, China is not a signatory to the Mekong River Commission. China just builds as many giant dams as it wants, and screw everyone else.

I assume, other than Laos itself (which of course supports the dam project), there's Vietnam's opinion. Where does VN stand on the issue?

I would think that China is irrelevant since it's not part of the 4-member country list that is implied. Without even mentioning the countries, logically the four countries would be Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand as they are all located in close proximity to this dam project. In fact, aside from Laos, and Cambodia being located just 2km south of the project, even Thailand and Vietnam are both within less than 200km away.

China may not be among the 4 countries focused upon, but it has the biggest impact on the Mekong (8 big dams planned or built already, and surely others on the drawing board). China wants to control SE Asia, and the Mekong is just one part of that overall plan. Another part of that plan just jelled for China, with Thailand's military gov't quickly allowing China to take over the large train projects - from China to Bkk and the Gulf of Thailand.