Environment and land
Myanmar fishermen protest Thai hires
The hiring of Thai helmsmen on Myanmar fishing boats has been criticised by the local fishing industry. Two Myanmar companies last year hired Thai captains on the grounds that they were familiar with the use of sonar to find fish. Faced with opposition by local fishermen, the ...
Water crisis looms as short monsoon, El Nino hit southern reservoir
A large reservoir that supplies water for Ho Chi Minh City and nearby provinces has seen its water level falling rapidly, signalling a possible severe shortage for the whole region, experts said. “Low rainfall as an impact of El Nino has significantly lowered the water level ...
Plant maintenance to put Ho Chi Minh City out of water this weekend
Ho Chi Minh City utility Saigon Water Corporation has announced a suspension of supply to 15 districts as a major plant undergoes maintenance. Keep reading ...
Migrant workers fear impact of Mae Sot economic zone
The development by the Thai government of a special economic zone at Mae Sot, which is intended to improve trade and communications between Thailand and Myanmar, could have devastating consequences for local inhabitants. Keep reading ...
Cambodian Government pledges to step up land titling pace
The government 19 October vowed to finish distributing all land titles currently under consideration by 2020. In a speech, Im Chhun Lim said the government was committed to improving land security in Cambodia in its bid to address issues ranging from poverty to deforestation. Keep reading ...
China eyes $31bn of investments in Laos border economic zone
China is eyeing total investment of more than 200 billion yuan ($31.45 billion) in 240 projects in a pilot economic zone on the border with Laos, the government of the southwestern province of Yunnan said late on 19 October. Poor and remote, Laos has traditionally been ...
Sa Kaeo SEZ welcome, with reservations
Once the government has earmarked a province for a special economic zone (SEZ), theoretically it means more jobs, higher incomes and a better quality of life. But while residents of Sa Kaeo province are looking forward to their SEZ, they also have questions. Villagers want the new ...
Carbon credit schemes, concessions slashed
The Ministry of Environment has cancelled seven carbon credit schemes and reduced the leases of six economic land concessions as part of an ongoing reform effort, according to a 16 October announcement. Keep reading ...
Mandalay farmers battle municipal committee
Angry farmers in Mandalay have hit back at local officials by launching a court action against those they say destroyed huts and signboards on their land. A private company, Phwit Phyo Thit, has signed an agreement with Mandalay City Development Committee to build a golf resort ...
NGOs push for postponement of Don Sahong dam on Mekong
The lower three Mekong Countries, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam as well as environmental groups, have expressed concern about the Don Sahong dam’s impact on the environment, movement of fish and water quality and flow. The project has yet to be approved by the Mekong River Commission, ...
