"Two Years Later, 60 Families in Laos Still Waiting for Compensation for Dam Collapse", 27 June 2019

Sixty families in Laos who were affected by the collapse of a small hydroelectric dam two years ago may finally learn when they can expect cash compensation now that a central-government-backed investigation into the damages is complete.

The villagers, from Xaysomboun province’s Thathom district, have been made to wait because even after a lengthy first investigation into the extent of damage, the Nam Ao dam’s developer, Bothong Inter Group, claimed that the villagers’ compensation claims were exaggerated and could not come to an agreement with them.

...The Nam Ao dam, located in Xieng Khouang province’s Phaxay district, burst on September 11, 2017 after heavy rains. The flood had serious consequences for the Thathom district villagers; farmers in eight villages found their rice fields covered in mud, with the newly planted crop destroyed.

...Immediately after the dam collapse, Bothong Inter said that the company would be responsible for all damages. Bothong Inter’s president, Chanthong Xanavanh, told local media that the company planned to inspect the damage and pay out compensation to the affected families.

...“It has been one year and three months since the incident and we’re still waiting for compensation; many of us are not happy,” a villager told RFA that same month.

“Most of us need cash compensation,” said another villager....