The Nation

Mekong blasting to be probed

Published on Dec 5, 2002

Representatives of three Senate committees will visit four other countries
bordering the Mekong River to investigate a project to clear the river
channel for commercial shipping by blasting rapids.

Chermsak Pinthong, chairman of the Senate Public Participation Committee,
said after visiting the Kon Phi Luang rapids in Chiang Rai's Chiang Khong
district - which would be blasted under the project - that the blasting
would not only have a negative impact on the river's ecosystem but also
infringe on the country's sovereignty. He said the project would give
China, which is located upstream, absolute control over the river.

China has already blasted two rapids in its territorial waters.

"I'm not sure whether the Thai government was foolish or wise to sign the
agreement on the project," he said.

The government signed an agreement in June to allow one stretch of rapids
in Thai waters to be blasted under the project.

The project was initiated by China in 1992 with the aim of improving
international trade between the countries along the Mekong. About 51 rapids
along the river in the five countries must be blasted to widen and deepen
the river so that large cargo and passenger vessels can navigate it. China
has already blasted two rapids.

Chirmsak said his committee, together with representatives of the Foreign
Affairs and Environment committees, would go to collect information in
Laos, Burma, Vietnam and China. He said there are many unanswered questions
that must be cleared before blasting can begin.

He added that the committees would first collect information from the
Office of National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB). He said
the NESDB should at least provide clear information about the need for,
benefits and environmental impact of the project.

Kraisak Chonhavan, chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, said
he expected the trip to the four Mekong-bordering states would allow the
senators to collect enough information to stop the project. He emphasised
that he could not accept the environmental impact assessment done on the
project since it took only two months to complete and did not meet
international standards.

During the two-day field trip to Kon Phi Luang rapids, Chermsak and other
senators, including Kraisak, Nirand Pitakwatchara and Tuenjai Deetes,
acknowledged that the blasting in China has effected fishing communities in
Thai territory. One villager reported that his two fishing boats were
recently swept away by the river's higher-than-usual current.

Tanad Chaichofaa, headman of Baan Don in Rim Khong District, said the
strong current had also caused soil erosion. He said that a two-to-three
kilometre stretch of riverbank near his village has been eroded since China
started blasting two years ago. More than 116 households needed to be
relocated away from the riverbank, he said. Chermsak added that he would
invite Thai ambassadors abroad, who will be meeting on December 7-8 in
Bangkok, to talk to the villagers who are effected by the project.

The Nation

CHIANG RAI