In a letter to the Prime Minister, villagers expressed concern about the acceleration of the signing of power purchase agreements (PPAs) with large private sectors, without the participation of the people and without considering the country’s energy situation. The reserve of electricity in the system is high, more than 50%, and this is one of the main reasons why Thailand’s electricity bill is always higher.
The letter of complaint to the Prime Minister also states that the transboundary impacts of the current dam projects are still not being addressed. There is no mitigation for both the ecosystem and the way of life of the people living along the Mekong River in 8 provinces of Thailand, both because of the unseasonal fluctuations in the water levels of the Mekong due to the use of the dams and because of the reduction in the volume of sediments to the extent that it cannot be measured. This is especially true after the Xayaburi Dam has been used since 2019. Therefore, the push to build two more dams on the Mekong River is imperative. The study of environmental impacts across borders and people living in the Mekong communities must participate fully in the educational process. to make a decision based on factual data It is not for the benefit of only certain groups.
The construction area of the Luang Prabang Dam Project, located on the Mekong River only 24 kilometers from Luang Prabang, has been declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization or UNESCO (UNESCO) since 1995, when the Luang Prabang Dam Project was proposed. On July 22, 2021, the World Heritage Committee adopted a resolution to postpone construction and to request the Lao government to prepare a heritage impact assessment (HIA) report and related risk assessment reports. This study was to be completed by February 1, 2022, but at this time it is not clear whether or not the study has been completed.
In addition to sending a letter of complaint to the Prime Minister, the Thai People’s Network of the Mekong River Basin in 8 provinces has also sent a letter to the Political Development Commission. journalism and public participation House of Representatives to have such an investigation conducted as well.
