Activists and villagers protested against the Sanakham hydropower project in Laos.
The project is about 25 kilometers upstream from Sanakham district, 155 km from Vientiane, and 84 km downstream from the Pak Lay project. It’s also about 2 km from the Thai-Lao border in Loei. Since the project will limit the river’s flow downstream, Laos must ensure it follows the Mekong River Commission’s Procedures for Notification, Prior Consultation, and Agreement (PNPCA). A public hearing on the project was held today at the Sunee Grand Hotel & Convention Center in Ubon Ratchathani, where the protest took place. Protesters argued that the dam will harm the Mekong River Basin’s ecosystem and threaten the livelihoods of those living along the river. They also pointed out that while the dam is in Laos, it’s funded by Thai investors to sell electricity to Thailand, which could raise electricity prices—something they strongly oppose. Photos via Sirisak Saduak
Source: Thai Enquirer on twitter
