WEEKLY NEWS DIGEST
Curating news, commentary and resources on development, its environmental and social impacts, and the context affecting the Mekong Region
MEKONG DEVELOPMENT
‘Nothing about the Mekong is normal now’
“It’s either that the water isn’t enough or water comes too much and floods. Nothing about the Mekong is normal now,” said local village head and river watch volunteer Attapon Nakhon.
CAMBODIA
High resistance to antibiotics still a problem in the Kingdom
The study area was conducted in 12 small villages along the Mekong River in Kampong Cham province’s Stung Trang district.
LAOS
Laos Opens More Land to Chinese Investment, Raising Local Concerns
A Chinese company has signed an agreement with Lao authorities to study the prospects for development of 5,000 hectares of land in southern Laos’ Attapeu province, raising concerns among residents that investors will take more land over time, destroying local livelihoods.
Myanmar
Activists urge French engineering firm Razel-Bec to withdraw from military-backed dam project in Shan State
The company has partnered with a military-linked conglomerate to develop the controversial 280-megawatt hydropower dam on the Namtu river near the towns of Hsipaw and Kyaukme.
Thailand
Experts explore ways to protect Thailand’s ‘James Bond islet’ from erosion
Khao Ta Pu, or Ko Ta Pu (nail island), is a 20-meter tall limestone islet and is a part of Ao Phang Nga National Park. Since 1974, when it was featured in the James Bond movie “The Man with the Golden Gun”, Ko Ta Pu has been popularly called “James Bond islet”.
Read more: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1420611/experts-explore-ways-to-protect-thailands-james-bond-islet-from-erosion#ixzz6sYBaHsDA
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Vietnam
Red-crowned cranes reappear in Mekong Delta
After a year of absence, over 30 red-crowned cranes have returned to Phu My Biosphere Reserve and Tram Chim National Park in the Mekong Delta.