Rethink 'Asia battery' planTwo years ago this month, the villagers of Attapeu in southern Laos encountered their worst nightmare when the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy hydropower dam, which was under construction, failed. The dam project is a joint-venture among investors from South Korea, Thailand and Laos. Considering the significant Thai involvement in the dam project, Thais should feel some moral responsibility and show solidarity with their troubled neighbours whose livelihoods have been sacrificed to help the Lao government realise its ambitious plan to make the landlocked country "the battery of Asia". This plan will see many villagers relocated, and even without another catastrophe like the Xe-Pian collapse, many will face hardship. Such a massive surplus is a result of bad economic planning, yet agencies concerned seem reluctant to address the problem, and more energy projects are being proposed.

Source: Bangkok Post July 29, 2020 21:00 UTC