Environment and land
Mekong's steady flow of tourism
Pongpet Mekloy argues that Thailand and Laos need to work closer together in order to capitalise on their joint attractions that line the mighty river. Research by Si Sa Ket Rajabhat University is highlighted, which investigated the potential for tourism along the international river, focusing on the ...
DMR hosts the 3rd Thai - Lao technical conference on geology and mineral resources
Thailand is hosting the 3rd Thai – Lao Technical conference on Geology and Mineral Resources, which is being held at the Golden Tulip Sovereign Hotel, Bangkok, 7-11 July. Thailand and Lao PDR have been working together on geology and mineral resources study for over 12 years. ...
Thailand's vital rice belt drying up
Thailand’s vital rice belt is being battered by one of the worst droughts in living memory with the prospect of a dismal main harvest. Water levels in some of the major reservoirs are at their lowest levels in 20 years, prompting the ruling junta to call ...
Farmers welcome long-overdue rain
Long-awaited rain fell over four drought-struck provinces overnight and during the day, reviving withering rice crops but only slightly raising hopes of the upcountry regions coming out of the crisis. While rice farmers in Surin, Maha Sarakham and Phayao were grateful for rain replenishing their crops, ...
MWA: Bangkok will not run out of tap water
The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority has categorically denied reports that Bangkok’s tap water supply would last only 30 more days if there was no rain. MWA governor Thanasak Watanathana said possible tap water disruption in a month was based on the assumption there would be no rainfall. ...
Expert calls for improved mining practices in Mekong, beyond
The mineral resources of Southeast Asia’s emerging economies are plentiful, but mine management practices may make all the difference in maximizing returns for operators, host nations and local communities alike. That is the message taken to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos this week by mining engineer and ...
Heavy rain expected to boost rice growing
As Thailand braces for a drop in rice production owing to rainfall shortage because of the El Niño effect, officials say that Cambodia is less likely to be affected by the weather pattern as they expect rainfall to cover the Kingdom this week, encouraging the ...
China climate targets prompt fears over surge in dam construction
China’s plan to cut carbon emissions commits Beijing to a surge in construction of ecologically destructive hydropower dams that heralds the end of free-flowing rivers in the country, experts say. Beijing last week formally submitted its 2030 goals for generating energy from non-fossil fuels, garnering international praise as nations ...
Lack of rain gauges putting weathermen at disadvantage
While some areas of Cambodia are undoubtedly suffering from an extended dry season, a lack of rain gauges means that comprehensive data is hard to find. Oum Ryna, director of the Department of Meteorology at the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology, told Post Weekend that the ...
Could damming the Mekong destroy south-east Asia's greatest river and food bowl?
Conservationists, politicians and at least one prime minister are warning the quest for hydro power for booming urban centres in China and south-east Asia is threatening the food supply of more than 40 million people, including millions in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s food bowl. Kraisak Choonhavan, ...