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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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


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

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.