Environment and natural resources
Water resources
Mekong sandbanks obstruct cross-border boat services
The lowest level of water in the Mekong river in several decades has caused sandbanks to emerge, obstructing boat services across the border between Thailand and Laos, according to a local report.The low level of water has been caused by many factors including drought and ...
Pattanapong Sripiachai
Dam testing in China to affect eight Mekong River provinces
Eight provinces along the Mekong River have been told to brace themselves for a dip in water levels between Jan 1-4 as tests at Jinghong hydroelectric power station in China’s Yunnan province are expected decrease of water outflows.According to the Office of National Water Resources ...
Bangkok Post Reporter
Govt set to address sea water intrusion
The government is bracing for salt water intrusion into four major rivers, including the Chao Phraya, as low fresh water levels may have affected tap water production. Authorities fear that a lack of fresh water will cause sea water to flow into inland rivers.Keep reading ...
Bangkok Post Reporter
Thailand warns of water shortage in North East region
The Thai Royal Irrigation Department (RID) on Monday warned of low reserved water at major dams in the North East region and advised residents that the water left-over will only be sufficient for consumption.The RID, which is administered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, ...
China closes Mekong River stretch
China has declared a 60-kilometre section of Mekong River off-limits to all types of boats indefinitely while rock blasting is undertaken to widen the channel for commercial shipping operations.China announced on Friday that operators of all types of boats should avoid entering the river from ...
Bangkok Post Reporter
Deteriorating Mekong ecosystem alarms activists
Environment advocates are voicing concerns over the Mekong River’s deteriorating ecosystem, especially with more projects set to affect the waterway in the pipeline.“If these so-called development projects continue, especially the construction of more dams, the Mekong will face a crisis,” said Niwat Roi-kaeo, president of ...
Wassayos Ngamkham
Alarm over drastic drop in dam levels
The low level of useable water in the country’s four major dams have raised concerns over the likelihood of serious, widespread droughts during the dry season next year.The volume of water currently stored in the country’s four key dams accounts for just 47% of their ...
Bangkok Post Reporter
Mekong water turns greenish-blue in Nakhon Phanom
Water in the Mekong river in this northeastern border province has turned from yellowish-brown to greenish-blue — a strange phenomenon that makes the river look beautiful but could be a sign of danger, according to a local media report.The water in the Mekong river is ...
Pattanapong Sripiachai
MRC ministerial council approves a drought management strategy, other policies, boosting Mekong countries’ ability to prepare for future disaster
Ministerial delegates from the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Council today at their annual gathering in Phnom Penh approved a drought management strategy for 2020-2025, allowing Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam to prepare for and manage drought collectively. The approved strategy came as the region ...
Drought continues to hit Mekong countries, risking stress on crop production, water shortages
Severe to extreme drought is expected to hit countries in the lower Mekong basin from now until January 2020, warns the Mekong River Commission. Thailand and Cambodia would be hardest hit compared to Lao PDR and Viet Nam. Preliminary analysis of MRC’s data has shown that ...
