Blessed with sunshine, Thailand’s embrace of solar energy seems a no-brainer. But the entrance of the country’s powerful military into the sector may be doing the cause more harm than good. Critics fear that once the army gets a slice of the pie, it could use its stake to gain political influence – an idea that does not sit well in a land rocked by pro-democracy protests.
Category: Region
Selected environmental stories from media outlets in the Mekong region and beyond.
Thailand introduces ‘Burn Check’ mobile app to reduce smoke haze in the north
Those who want to dispose of plant matter by burning may make a request via the app and wait for approval from the district-level coordination center. The application provides information on the amount of airborne dust as well as air quality, which are used by officials to consider whether or not to approve burn requests.
The Mekong River’s Dam Problem
Environmentalists believe huge hydropower dams, many built by China, are to blame. Bloomberg speaks with Thai activist and educator Niwat Roykaew who has made it his mission to protect the river.
Cambodia ‘to achieve 20 percent of energy supplies from solar’
By 2023, seven additional solar power plants with a total capacity of 495 mW are expected to be put into operation, representing 20 percent of the total energy supply.
PM to present net-zero goal at COP26
This is effectively a roadmap for how Thailand plans to go net zero within 44 years.
Lights off in Myanmar
The energy sector has been a site of international investment in Myanmar, but, with foreign investors jittery and blackouts escalating, it is also a site of resistance against the military coup.
Lao workers quit Chinese banana plantation in droves over restrictions and hazards
More than 500 workers have quit their jobs at a Chinese-run banana plantation in central Laos over onerous coronavirus restrictions, late pay, and exposure to hazardous chemicals.
Mekong Institute receives ASEAN Prize 2021
At the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits, ASEAN announced the awarding of ASEAN Prize 2021 to Mekong Institute for its contributions in promoting ASEAN awareness and strengthening regional cooperation towards sustainable development.
Executives offer clean options to wood burning
The garment industry is Cambodia’s biggest employer but it is also responsible for 70 percent of the wood burned in the country.
Cambodia can secure reliable electricity without new coal
With the China–Cambodia free trade agreement ratified by the Cambodian National Assembly last month, and an updated investment law prioritising incentives for green energy, it looks like the future of Cambodia’s electricity system could be getting brighter – and greener.