WEEKLY NEWS DIGEST
Curating news, commentary and resources on development, its environmental and social impacts, and the context affecting the Mekong Region
MEKONG DEVELOPMENT
China-backed SEZs linked to Southeast Asia’s illegal wildlife trade
Most interestingly, a significant part of this trade activity was observed in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) established to encourage increased trade and investment from China.
CAMBODIA
Cambodia gold mine news prompts pollution concerns
Rong Cheng, a Chinese-owned company located in Mondulkiri’s Keo Seima district and still in operation, was among the companies blamed for the pollution, sources told RFA in earlier reports.
LAOS
Fifth Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge four percent complete
The brides across the Mekong will link Beung Kan Province in northeastern Thailand to Paksan, Bolikhamxay Province in Laos, Construction of the project began in August 2019 funded by a loan from Thailand’s Economic Cooperation Program and the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation.
Myanmar
Myanmar Junta sells resources to neighbors in exchange for ‘legitimacy’
The junta’s State Administration Council (SAC) is trying to stabilize this situation by selling the country’s resources to friendly neighbors China and Thailand, specifically concessions for large hydro dam projects and Special Economic Zones.
Thailand
Violence hampers Unesco park quest
Thailand’s effort to turn the Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex into a Unesco World Heritage Site has been made in vain for the past six years. Will it have succeeded by the time the annual World Heritage Convention convenes in July?
Vietnam
Goldman Prize for Vietnamese pangolin activist
In 2014, Nguyen founded NGO Save Vietnam’s Wildlife, headquartered in the Cuc Phuong National Park in Vietnam’s North Central Coast region. He has since established two pangolin rehabilitation centers, in Cuc Phuong and Pu Mat National Parks, and an anti-poaching unit, where he trains government rangers in wildlife conservation, animal identification, GPS skills, and drone technology.