Economy and industry
Designing river flows to improve food security futures in the Lower Mekong Basin
Hydropower dams radically alter river flow regimes, often with consequences for the functioning and productivity of the waters downstream. Where fisheries in large tropical river systems are affected, there can be knock-on effects on food security. For the Mekong River, Sabo et al. used a data-based time series ...
Science Magazine Reporter
Thailand pushes for high-speed rail link with China to be used for freight
The first phase of a delayed high-speed rail link between China and Thailand is back on track after its environmental impact assessment was approved – but now doubts have been cast over whether it will have enough passengers to warrant its US$5.2 billion price tag.[]It ...
Wendy Wu
Thailand lags in fintech development in Asia
Thailand ranks seventh out of 10 Asian countries in a Taiwanese consulting firm’s FinTech Competitiveness Index. The country, however, outperforms Malaysia and only lags behind Singapore in terms of regulatory advancement. Keep reading ...
SUCHIT LEESA-NGUANSUK
Pollution, Overfishing Threaten Important Cambodian Lake
A rich fishery in Southeast Asia is at risk because of overfishing, pollution and hydroelectric dams. The Tonle Sap is a freshwater lake in the middle of Cambodia. The lake shrinks and expands by thousands of kilometers, depending on the season.[]“There are plans to build ...
Kevin Enochs
Renewable Power in Southeast Asia: Will the Legal Regime Catch Up with the Opportunities?
Southeast Asia offers rich renewable sector opportunities, recently exemplified by Chevron’s multibillion-dollar sale of its Indonesian and Philippines geothermal projects, and the purchase of Equis Energy for $5 billion. However, industry players and their lawyers face several challenges in developing a responsive and bankable legal ...
Sean Prior and Benjamin Thompson
Tourism players warn against overcrowding on Mekong River
It is essential that tourism is sensitively managed if the target of attracting four million visitors to the Mekong River by 2020 is achieved, tourism stakeholders warn. At 4,350km in length, the Mekong River runs from China to Vietnam, slicing through six countries that offer ...
Marissa Carruthers
Emerging Asian economies race to build metros amid choking congestion
The distance between Maye Cristobal’s house and her office in Manila’s Makati business district is just 5km, but the 26-year-old lawyer often has to travel for one and a half hours. Keep reading ...
KEN KOYANAGI
Save the Mekong Coalition raises concerns over hydropower dams on Mekong River
On the occasion of the Mekong River Commission’s 24th Council Meeting, the Save the Mekong Coalition has raised concerns over the ongoing development of hydropower projects on the Mekong mainstream and within the basin, despite evidence that these projects are undermining regional food security and ...
Save the Mekong Coalition
China bets on mega projects in Tibet
China’s well-tested mantra that has powered its economic rise — build quality infrastructure and the rest will follow — is in full play in Tibet. The Qinghai-Tibet railway, the 1,956-km track passing over bridges and through tunnels, has already made history. []Several major rivers — the ...
Atul Aneja
‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative underway, but experts warn of difficulties ahead
China’s “One belt, One Road” railway link with Asean has started to materialise as construction in Laos has progressed to more than 10 per cent of the project linking China’s border to Vientiane.However, one expert has warned that the Chinese government’s financial support for the ...
Atul Aneja