"Dams threaten Mekong river life," 23 March 2018

...[A] statement from the Save the Mekong Coalition calling for a halt to dam projects on the Mekong River... points out there are 11 large hydropower dams planned on the Mekong River’s lower mainstream, along with over a hundred dams planned on the Mekong River’s tributaries.

“These dams pose a major threat to the ecological health and economic vitality of the region,” said the Save the Mekong Coalition statement. “They place, the livelihoods and food security of millions of people at risk.

The group claims governments are failing to consider the knowledge, cultures, and voices of the Mekong Basin Peoples, whose livelihoods and beliefs are deeply connected with river.”

Save the Mekong Coalition... called for reviews of planning and decision-making processes for hydropower and other developments on the Mekong River claiming so far there has been a lack public participation, transparency and accountability.

The coalition challenges the need for destructive hydropower development in the Mekong Basin to meet the region’s energy and development needs.

They have a point as even Thailand has acknowledged it has a surplus of electricity generated by dams in neighbouring countries and has signalled, earlier this month, it will review its commitment to the Pak Beng dam in Laos.

Part of that review, undertaken by the Electric Generating Authority of Thailand, looks at energy needs and focuses on alternative energy sources that are now available such as wind and solar.

“Renewable energy technologies, demand-side management and energy efficiency measures should be fully considered in assessing alternatives to destructive hydropower projects on the Lower Mekong mainstream and within the basin.

“We urge regional governments to prioritize introduction of renewable and decentralized electricity technologies that are increasingly available and cost-competitive, without the harmful social and environmental impacts of large-scale hydropower dams,”...