Economy and industry
Lessons from the $2 billion coal mining lawsuit against Indonesia
Indonesia cannot be held liable for $2 billion in compensation sought by Churchill Mining for the revocation of a coal-mining concession, the World Bank’s International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes ruled in a Dec. 6 verdict. The tribunal determined that Churchill’s claim to the ...
Egco kicks off latest wind farm
SET-listed Electricity Generating Plc (Egco) said its latest 80-megawatt wind farm in Chaiyaphum province has started commercial operation, helping to generate more revenue for the company as well as support renewable energy. President and chief executive Chanin Chaonirattisai said the power plant has total contracted capacity of ...
Uncertain path for Vietnam’s wind power sector
The country needs transparent and credible pricing mechanisms if generating targets are going to be met Although Vietnam has great potential for renewable energy, and the government has put forward many plans advocating it, actual policies to secure investment and develop the sector have been ...
Forest coverage to rise to 47.25 percent in 2017
The forestry sector will protect, develop and sustainably use existing forest areas and land fund for forest development with a view to raising the country’s forest coverage to 47.25 percent in 2017. This is one of the focal tasks of the sector during 2017 put ...
WB helps Laos to upgrade rural roads
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors is providing US$25 million credit for Laos to strengthen its road maintenance systems and improve road connectivity throughout the country. The credit comes from the International Development Association, according to a report published on the World Bank’s Board ...
Villagers wary of M’kiri mine project
An environmental impact assessment released on Friday for a $245 million mining project slated to begin operations in Mondolkiri province next year has raised concerns about its potential effects on the environment and local communities. The project, proposed by the Chinese-owned Alex Corporation, would see ...
Thailand’s move to further censor internet draws wave of hacks
Thailand is bracing for a wave of hacker attacks on December 20 to protest the ruling junta’s recent moves to more closely police the internet. The defense ministry’s website was briefly knocked out of action Monday afternoon before going back online in the afternoon, though it ...
Shut gold mine shows investors risks of Thai junta rule
When Thailand’s junta leader-turned-prime minister used his absolute power to suspend gold mining, causing an Australian miner’s shares to plummet 19% in a single day, he complicated efforts to attract foreign investors already spooked by military rule. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced the order last ...
Myanmar to boost its Thai embassy staffing
Three additional labour attachés will be assigned to Myanmar’s embassy in Thailand next year, the labour minister announced on December 18. More labour officers are being assigned in order to handle the high volume of cases stemming from the large number of Myanmar migrants working there, ...
Authorities will legalise Lao workers in Thailand
Lao authorities expect to begin a new round of verifying nationality and legalising the status of thousands of Lao workers in Thailand in the coming months, Minister of Labour and Social Welfare said last week. Dr Khampheng Saysompheng told local media during his attendance to ...