By Chularat Saengpassa and Pongphon Sarnsamak for The Nation
A recent report from the Mekong River Commission revealed that 12 dams in Lower Mekong River would cause serious problems for the two million people living downstream in Laos, Thailand and Cambodia.
The report entitled “MRC SEA for Hydropower on Mekong Mainstream, Impact Assessment and Discussion Draft” was presented at a regional meeting held to assess the impact of the Mekong River dam projects.
The report showed that if the 12 dam projects went ahead, it would adversely affect poor people living downstream in the three countries. These people live along the river in rural areas and depend heavily on agriculture and other natural resources for income.
According to the report, Laos will have a dam each in Pak Beng, Luang Prabang, Saiyaburi, Pak Lay, Latsua, Don Sahong and Thakho; the Thai/Lao border will have three dams, namely Sanakham, Pak Chom and Ban Koum; while Cambodia will have two dams, namely Stung Treng and Sambor.
The report showed that the Pak Chom and Ban Koum dams on the Thai/Lao border would affect 588,189 people living in Loei province, and 413,140 people in Ubon Ratchathani. It added that these dams would also change the boundary lines between the two countries.
Dam construction projects in Lower Mekong River would also have an adverse effect on the wetlands, ecological system and the economy. Damages to the wetlands would be to the tune of Bt224 million per year, the report said.
The report also showed that the 12 dams would stop 55 per cent of the river from flowing freely. The Mekong would become a huge reservoir and the dams will destroy natural islets, sandbanks and hamper the incubation of freshwater tropical fish and other aquatic animals. Plus the dams will affect Mekong’s more than 40 tributaries.