Author Archives: Mai Lan

The data commons: What lies ahead for the Mekong region?

The data commons: What lies ahead for the Mekong region?

More kinds of data are now available and accessible especially in developing countries. However, open accessibility and ease of sharing is not always possible in the countries of the Mekong region, where governments take care to guard data and information from reaching the public. Lan Nguyen explores the future of open data sharing in the Mekong region and the obstacles that remain in place.

Diverting the Mekong River into Thailand: The Khong-Loei-Chi-Mun project

The Khong-Loei-Chi-Mun project is the latest version of a long history of plans for large-scale irrigation in Northeastern Thailand. Visiting the area, Mai Lan hears how Thailand’s Royal Irrigation Department is pushing ahead with studies, as communities, NGOs, and downstream countries worry about the environmental and social impacts.

As Dawei “initial phase” 65% complete, locals left in the dark

The Dawei Special Economic Zone is a controversial industrial area proposed in Taninthayri Region, Myanmar. Visiting Dawei, Mai Lan finds that despite “initial construction” activities now claimed by the developer as 65% complete, many local people remain in the dark about the project, and the impact it could have.

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