People and government
Analyst: The Mekong is a Chance for China to Improve Its Soft Power Footprint
The Mekong River Commission met in Siem Reap province last week to discuss alternative energy solutions, large-scale Chinese investment, and governance issues. Keep reading ...
Aun Chhengpor
Mekong River leaders grow hushed on hydropower fears at summit
The prime ministers of the four countries in the downstream Mekong River basin agreed this week to boost collaboration for sustainable development, but turned noticeably quiet about the environmental impact from hydropower dam projects that have increased thanks to Chinese help. Keep reading ...
YUKAKO ONO
Migrant workers must return to Thailand in set timeframe
Myanmar migrant workers need to return to Thailand before the date set by the Thai government in relation to the Thingyan holiday period, sources said. The Thai government gave free entry permits to migrant workers, including those from Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, during the Thingyan ...
Ko Shwe Thein
EU to unveil new strategy on working with CSOs
The European Union will introduce a new strategy to achieve an enabling environment for Myanmar civil society organisations (CSOs) participating in public reforms by June 2018, said officials of EU and CSOs. Pedro Campo Llopis, deputy head of operations of EU in Myanmar, noted that CSOs ...
HTIKE NANDA WIN
Mekong Leaders Mostly Mum on Risks Tied to Intense Damming
Presented with “frightening” possibilities due to intense damming, the leaders of the Mekong River Commission member countries gave little sign Thursday they had heeded calls to fundamentally rethink water policy for the shared waterway, with the exception of Vietnam. Keep reading ...
David Boyle/Sun Narin
Belt and Road Initiative reshaping Asia's int'l relations: report
The Belt and Road Initiative has injected fresh vitality to Asia’s economic cooperation and helped the continent to reshape its international relations, according to a report released on Sunday at the Boao Forum for Asia 2018 annual conference. The Belt and Road Initiative has provided ...
Two Thai companies face flak over practices in Cambodia and Myanmar
Thai overseas investments in Cambodia and Myanmar have come under criticism for irresponsible business operations and human rights violation, which has also led to the first-ever class-action lawsuit against a Thai company in its home country. Keep reading ...
PRATCH RUJIVANAROM
Mekong River dams ‘will harm food security’
Hydropower development on the Mekong River will aggravate food insecurity and poverty in the region and reverse the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a study says. Environmental and social specialists of Mekong River Commission (MRC) warned during the third MRC International Conference in Siem Reap, Cambodia, that ...
Pratch Rujivanarom
Thousands of Myanmar workers miss Thai deadline
An estimated 100,000 migrant workers who failed to meet the Thai government’s Saturday deadline to secure legal documents to live and work in the kingdom must return home soon or face legal action, the Myanmar embassy in Thailand said. Keep reading ...
ZAW ZAW HTWE
Myanmar Hopes UN Security Council Visit Can Help Repair Frayed Ties With International Community
Myanmar’s agreement to receive a delegation from the United Nations Security Council is a positive step towards improving relations with the international community, which has been highly critical of the Southeast Asian nation for months over its handling of the Rohingya crisis, former politicians and ...