Without the MRC and PNPCA procedures, Laos would continue with dam projects without consultation with affected countries, he said. He added that there had been evictions in some villages already in preparation for construction, which has already begun.Pak Beng Dam is a hydropower dam project owned by the Chinese firm Datang International Power Generation Co in cooperation with the Lao government. "Maha Sarakham University lecturer Chainarong Sretthachau said authorities were often not interested in protecting the Mekong River and marginalised people who depend on the river. "However, people from Chiang Rai have protested limiting action to only the PNPCA procedure and urged for strict new rules to regulate projects on the mainstream Mekong River. We cannot express our concern about their project now, because they still have not notified their intention to start the project to the MRC.

Source: The Nation Bangkok July 24, 2016 16:18 UTC