“Bait-and-switch in dam ‘consultation’”, 6 July 2014

There was an aftertaste of bait-and-switch in Laos' presentation to the Mekong River Commission (MRC)…Under pressure from Hanoi and Phnom Penh, and to a much lesser extent Bangkok, Vientiane agreed to consult with its Asean neighbours about the construction of the Don Sahong dam on the Lower Mekong. That was a welcome change from Laos' previous position — the dam…would have sweeping, yet poorly understood, consequences for the river and floodplain ecosystems in all four countries…the Hou Sahong Channel is probably the most important migratory route for hundreds of species of fish native to the Mekong and integral to subsistence economies in all four countries…The offer of consultation — the “bait” — at first glance seemed to satisfy the requirements of the Mekong Agreement…The “switch” only becomes apparent when “consultation” is defined, in the case of the Don Sahong dam and generally for the MRC…Laos’ concession is more symbolism than substance…[T]he MRC’s chief executive made explicit at the June meeting that construction could continue during the consultation process...[refers to Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand]