Mekong River dispute: China wants to blast Thai rapids

[CEOCambodiaNews]

A rapid decline of the Mekong
November 10, 2017
The battle over the Mekong River has resumed, and it will end badly for one side. Despite continuous Thai government efforts to delay, a decision will have to be made shortly.

There are no shortage of supporters for both views, but the battle lines are clear. On one side, the Chinese government wants to blast a Mekong River channel for the largest riverboats of its comprador businesses. On the other, Thai environmentalists and conservationists oppose this.

The dispute over development of the river actually centres on a very short stretch of the Mekong in Thai territory. A collection of shoals, reefs and islets off Chiang Rai province is the only serious block for 500-tonne Chinese riverboats past Thailand and all the way down to Luang Prabang in Laos.

Beijing is once again applying economic and diplomatic pressure on Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his government. General Prayut doesn’t want to make any decision, but probably will have to in the coming weeks.

China wants to blast the 1.5-kilometre Khon Pi Luang to clear the “rapids” off Chiang Khong district in Chiang Rai province, Thailand. Conservationists and civil rights activists, who have formed a coalition of sorts, want it left strictly alone.

It is one of the most scenic stretches of the entire Mekong. Hundreds of villagers make their living there. And the number one concern of the government is that taking out the islets of Khon Pi Luang will change the river’s geography and actually reduce Thai territory...
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/5090003/rap ... ne-mekong/

[vladimir]

It is one of the most scenic stretches of the entire Mekong.

Which is enough reason for the Chinese to want to destroy anything.

[AndyKK]

Chiang Rai province is the only serious block for 500-tonne Chinese riverboats past Thailand and all the way down to Luang Prabang in Laos.

Casino tours.

[Username Taken]

Doesn't China have enough rivers of its own to blow up?

[frank lee bent]

they did have, but now they are called "lakes"

[AndyKK]

Destination Luang Prabang this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the former capital of Laos, not to mention natural wonders of the Mekong, and all this of other countries. For what trade and tourism. The Chinese don't seem to care about the destruction of landscapes or the livelihoods of people. The Problem of the displaced communities would be left for the countries leaders to sort, not them. Damaging such natural landscapes the destroyers in their name of progress can be replaced by concrete. If the Chinese wanted to go the other way! Now they can't due to the hydro dams they have built here.

[Arget]

I guess it is the Asian thing to have the wealthy dictate to the poor what is best for their pockets is the only important matter. Is the selling out of Cambodia to China in the interest of the Cambodian people? Rubber, Cassava plantations, real estate, Snookyville, garment factories?
Do they all pay tax?
I understand they all pay but who benefits?
Not Cambodia

[vladimir]

I guess it is the Asian thing to have the wealthy dictate to the poor what is best for their pockets is the only important matter.

Asian? What do you think the US or UK govts. do?

It's almost universal.

[soup]

Fuck Thailand!

[frank lee bent]

Rubber, Cassava plantations

ag is tax exempt according to a pepper farmer i know.