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http://www.laopride.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.cgi General Category >> General Lao Board >> Laos begins work on $3.5 billion Mekong dam, http://www.laopride.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.cgi?num=1303098657 Message started by Lao Democratic on 18^th Apr, 2011 at 3:50am

Title: Laos begins work on $3.5 billion Mekong dam,
Post by Lao Democratic on 18^th Apr, 2011 at 3:50am

Laos has quietly begun work on the first dam across the lower Mekong River even before a four-nation meeting to decide on the project that has roused critics ranging from a U.S. senator to the country's closest ally, Vietnam, an environmental group said Sunday.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/42630641

The governments of Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand are scheduled to meet Tuesday to officially decide whether to construct the $3.5 billion, 1,260 megawatt Xayaburi dam in northern Laos.

But reports say Laos is already moving ahead on the project.

"We have been informed by local people that a road is being built as preparation for work on the Xayaburi dam. We have heard about this for some time," said Pianporn Deetes, of the U.S.-based International Rivers.

The English-language Bangkok Post Sunday said more than 20 miles (30 kilometers) of roadway leading to the dam site were under construction and that some villagers were already told they would be provided with new homes and compensation as low as $15 for being evicted.

Photographs showed road work in progress and trucks bearing logos of Ch Karnchang, the Thai company that won the bid to build the proposed dam that would generate electricity for sale to Thailand.

Lao officials could not be reached for comment and an email requesting explanation was not answered.

The Mekong River Commission, an intergovernmental agency that includes the four decision-making countries, said it would contact the Lao government Monday. The commission is based in the Lao capital of Vientiane.

"We have never been informed by the Lao government about the possible construction around the Xayaburi dam. This has never been raised in any of the MRC meetings," said a commission spokesman, Surasak Glahan.

Title: Re: Laos begins work on $3.5 billion Mekong dam,
Post by Lao Democratic on 18^th Apr, 2011 at 3:54am

I'm with Laos government on this one. Laos want to be battery of ASEAN, and off of the UN list of least developing nation by 2020. Laos don't want to be poor anymore and want to catch up with the neighboring country. I say more casino, dams, manufacturing in Laos.
;) :) :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxtnTHSQwfc

Title: Re: Laos begins work on $3.5 billion Mekong dam,
Post by Lao Democratic on 18^th Apr, 2011 at 4:02am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8XWQsvwYpU&feature=related

Title: Re: Laos begins work on $3.5 billion Mekong dam,
Post by MrLao4ever on 18^th Apr, 2011 at 8:58pm

Agree. It's about damn time that we try upgrade ourselves. More dam pictures please ;D.

Title: Re: Laos begins work on $3.5 billion Mekong dam,
Post by Lao Democratic on 18^th Apr, 2011 at 9:27pm

I think dams is a good long term investment. I see more benefits. Right now after Japanese nuclear leak many country are thinking twice about building more nuclear power as a source of energy.
8-)

Title: Re: Laos begins work on $3.5 billion Mekong dam,
Post by MrLao4ever on 19^th Apr, 2011 at 3:23am

Hopefully there is no big impact on the ecosystem :(.

Title: Re: Laos begins work on $3.5 billion Mekong dam,
Post by Lao Democratic on 19^th Apr, 2011 at 5:52am

There'll be some impact. In the long run it'll provide cheap electric for the locals and revenue for the government.

They should compensate the villager more then just $15 = 120,000 Kip.
:o :P

Title: Re: Laos begins work on $3.5 billion Mekong dam,
Post by Larb Dip on 19^th Apr, 2011 at 9:33am

$15 IS A JOKE! THIS IS AKIN TO THAT GOLF COURSE - OFF ALL THINGS - THEY ARE BUILDING IN HADXAIFONG, WHERE THEY ARE JUST 'EVICTING' RESIDENTS AT WILL! WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO BUY WITH $15? HOW LONG WOULD THE 'COMPENSATION' LAST 'TILL? LOOK HOW THEY TREAT THEIR OWN CITIZENS. WHY WOULD ANY FOREIGNER - WHETHER THEY BE LAO OR WHOEVER - WANT TO RETIRE IN LAOS? I'M THROWING IN MY TOWEL!

I LOVE LAOS; BUT FUKKKKKKKKKK THE 'COMMIES!'.

Title: Re: Laos begins work on $3.5 billion Mekong dam,
Post by William Kelley on 19^th Apr, 2011 at 10:33am

Throw in the towel - give up in the face of defeat of lacking hope; admit defeat.

Could this be it for our Super (sexual deviant) Hero? Has he reached the end of his posting on this forum? Has he twisted his brain muscle one too many clicks? Tune in next time to find out. Same Larb time, same Larb channel.

;D

Title: Re: Laos begins work on $3.5 billion Mekong dam,
Post by Larb Dip on 19^th Apr, 2011 at 11:01am

You bet! ;D

Title: Re: Laos begins work on $3.5 billion Mekong dam,
Post by MrLao4ever on 19^th Apr, 2011 at 1:52pm

Come guys take it easy. How do we know that the numbers are true? There are several sides to the same story. Larp Dip you cannot give up yet.

Title: Re: Laos begins work on $3.5 billion Mekong dam,
Post by Lao Democratic on 19^th Apr, 2011 at 2:48pm

I think the villager get a new house, land and free electricity for relocating. But I still think villager should be compensated way way more. At least $1500 or more. Government should negotiate a better deal for the villager, they has no say and government has full authority of power.
:)

Larb Dip wrote on 19^th Apr, 2011 at 9:33am:

Title: Re: Laos begins work on $3.5 billion Mekong dam,
Post by Larb Dip on 19^th Apr, 2011 at 8:02pm

PEACE wrote on 19^th Apr, 2011 at 1:52pm:

Come guys take it easy. How do we know that the numbers are true? There are several sides to the same story. Larp Dip you cannot give up yet.

You may be right. Since the source is a Thai newspaper, you can't take them at face value. Especially where Laos is concerned!

Title: Re: Laos begins work on $3.5 billion Mekong dam,
Post by Larb Dip on 19^th Apr, 2011 at 8:03pm

llX wrote on 19^th Apr, 2011 at 2:48pm:

I think the villager get a new house, land and free electricity for relocating. But I still think villager should be compensated way way more. At least $1500 or more. Government should negotiate a better deal for the villager, they has no say and government full authority of power.
:)

Larb Dip wrote on 19^th Apr, 2011 at 9:33am:

The government/'commies' ARE the deal makers!

Title: Re: Laos begins work on $3.5 billion Mekong dam,
Post by Lao Democratic on 20^th Apr, 2011 at 2:24am

Laos to delay Mekong dam after failing to convince neighbors
http://www.thanhniennews.com/2010/Pages/20110419215142.aspx

China has already build a dams in upper Mekong and plan four more. They didn't ask anybody for permission. If Laos build one what different does it make. How come nobody protest against China? If they can build one so can Laos. Laos government still has the right to build the dams even if the neighboring country object. Laos is battery of ASEAN so we need more dams.
;) :o

Title: Re: Laos begins work on $3.5 billion Mekong dam,
Post by Larb Dip on 21^st Apr, 2011 at 8:48am

Are these dams not being built on Lao soil?

Why do they need to 'convince' outsiders about internal affairs?

Title: Re: Laos begins work on $3.5 billion Mekong dam,
Post by Laos LXE on 22^nd Apr, 2011 at 7:54am

Its in Laos soil. Laos government has the final say and will go ahead with the $3.8 billion Sayaburi hydropower.

Laos defies neighbours to start dam work
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10720676&ref=rss
;) :o

Larb Dip wrote on 21^st Apr, 2011 at 8:48am:

Are these dams not being built on Lao soil?

Why do they need to 'convince' outsiders about internal affairs?

Title: Re: Laos begins work on $3.5 billion Mekong dam,
Post by Laos LXE on 22^nd Apr, 2011 at 7:59am

Laos hydropower not Mekong dam.

Title: Re: Laos begins work on $3.5 billion Mekong dam,
Post by MrLao4ever on 22^nd Apr, 2011 at 10:11am

Where is this dam if not Mekong?

llX wrote on 22^nd Apr, 2011 at 7:59am:

Laos hydropower not Mekong dam.

Title: Re: Laos begins work on $3.5 billion Mekong dam,
Post by Old Man on 22^nd Apr, 2011 at 6:03pm

The hydropower dam in the picture is the Nam Ngum dam, upriver from our farm. The Nam Ngum river is a major tributary of the Mekong river and the dam provides the electricity to Vientiane capital as well as for sale to Thailand.

Old Man

Title: Re: Laos begins work on $3.5 billion Mekong dam,
Post by koree44 on 22^nd Apr, 2011 at 8:37pm

http://s02.flagcounter.com/count/XOH/bg=FFFFFF/txt=FFFFFF/border=CCCCCC/columns=1/maxflags=1/viewers=1/labels=0/

Title: Re: Laos begins work on $3.5 billion Mekong dam,
Post by MrLao4ever on 23^rd Apr, 2011 at 2:21am

I gues the dam is fairly recent. Have you feel or see any impact on the ecosystem and human on the downriver of Nam Ngum at your farm after the dam went up?

wrote on 22^nd Apr, 2011 at 6:03pm:

Title: Re: Laos begins work on $3.5 billion Mekong dam,
Post by Laos LXE on 23^rd Apr, 2011 at 3:52am

Thank Old Man. I wasn't sure about the name of the dams.
;) :)

wrote on 22^nd Apr, 2011 at 6:03pm:

Title: Re: Laos begins work on $3.5 billion Mekong dam,
Post by Old Man on 23^rd Apr, 2011 at 6:50pm

That dam is over 40 years old.

Old Man

Title: Re: Laos begins work on $3.5 billion Mekong dam,
Post by MrLao4ever on 23^rd Apr, 2011 at 10:36pm

Very surprised that the dam is that old. I would assume Vientiane gets some of the water from the Nam Ngum reservoir.