In Thailand, communities still suffer impacts of the World Bank’s Pak Mun Dam over 25 years after construction started. Whilst fisheries are decimated, and the communities’ fishing culture largely lost, compensation is inadequate. Yuka Kiguchi asks what are the responsibilities of the World Bank and Government for restitution and redress?
Cambodia’s women fishers concerned about Don Sahong Dam
Women fishers in Kratie Province, Cambodia are concerned about plans for the Don Sahong Dam upstream in Laos. They worry that the river’s fisheries and the endangered Irrawaddy Dolphin will be affected. Working with civil society groups, they have raised their voice through a campaign that has involved both protest and radio shows.
Forced evictions cause misery for Phu Phan mountain farmers, Thailand
Thailand’s military government has undertaken forced evictions of both businesses and villagers found using state lands such as national reserve forests and protected areas without legal land titles. This article looks at ongoing evictions in northeastern Thailand’s Phu Phan mountains, to present farmers’ perspectives on their struggles.
The aspirations of a Shan lady for sustainable peace, justice and development
A personal reflection of the aspirations of a Shan lady, Ms. Nang Shining, who is seeking sustainable peace, justice and development in her hometown of Mong Pan, Southern Shan State, Myanmar. She discusses the impacts of recent logging and plans for the Mong Ton (Tasang) dam, and her work building new civil society organizations.
First Salween studies conference: Listen to the people
At the first-ever International Conference on Salween-Thanlwin-Nu Studies, highlights include calls for an end to extractive development, progress towards cooperative river basin management, recognition of local knowledge, and participation of local people from within the river basin, including youth.
Fighting for the forests of Cambodia’s Areng Valley
The Areng dam in Cambodia’s Cardamom Mountains threatens the area’s rich biodiversity. The livelihoods of the indigenous Chong community are at risk, with at least 1,500 people to be relocated. A powerful campaign by nature conservation activists, local communities, youth and others is trying to stop the dam being built.
Environmental protection begins with protecting human rights
From ensuring access to natural resources to protection against exposure to health-damaging pollution, a clean and healthy environment and the fulfillment of human rights cannot be separated. In this Commons Comment, Carl Middleton and Aadi Samarkand argue that while there is a long way to go to in recognizing the right to a healthy environment in Southeast Asia, some windows of opportunity exist.
Young people and social activism in Thailand
In today’s times, youth in the Mekong region face many pressures and challenges. Thai Volunteer Service (TVS) recognises the importance of youth activism, bringing young people together to enable ideas and skill sharing opportunities and also foster friendship and respect between themselves and their communities.
Lawyers defending the public interest
Sor.Rattanamanee Polkla is a public interest lawyer, and co-founder of the Community Resources Centre based in Bangkok. In this article, she talks with Carl Middleton about how public interest lawyers in Thailand work to enforce and reform the law in the interest of the public, case by case.
The politics of place naming reaches the Salween River
The debate about the power of naming is long-running and contentious, engaging citizens and colonizers, academics and activists. “South” of China, “East” of India, Southeast Asia is a name that came primarily from people not native to these regions who instead imagined the region through acts of war and nation building.
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