Controversial dam project in Laos

Laos has approved a controversial dam project to dam the Mekong River near Xayaburi - even though the project has been widely criticized by environmentalists, neighboring countries, especially Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam who fear that the dam will negatively affect downstream riverside communities and their livelihoods.

Laos project is the first one to dam the lower Mekong River. China put already 4 dams in place in the upper Mekong River area.

There are 10 more dams planned so far on the lower Mekong River basin. The Mekong River is Southeast Asia's longest river and a rich source of fish, a cultural inspiration, way of transportation and source of life.

My own blog entries on the Mekong River:
Nong Khai's aquarium - a closup look at the Mekong River fish
Going Upriver and Back in Time in Laos
Mekong Sunset... in Pak Khat
Khonephapheng waterfall in Southern Laos Sipandone area
Lush river life... some impressions...
Mekong Sunset... Luang Prabang
Mekong River bank erosion in Vientiane
Sunrise over the Mekong
Naga Fireballs in Laos and Isaan along the Mekong...
Mekong "Mae Nam Khong" - the Mother Khong

Article on Bangkok Post from 06/11/2012

Bueng Kan - 77. and newest province of Thailand - my home province

Bueng Kan (Thai: บึงกาฬ) is the 77th province of the Kingdom of Thailand, established last year 2554 (2011) on and from March 23, 2011. The province of Bueng Kan, consisting of the districts partitioned off from Nong Khai Province, is situated along the Mekong River in the northeastern region of the country, called Isaan. The province is named after its central district, Mueang Bueng Kan.


The province is subdivided into 8 districts (Amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 54 subdistricts (tambon) and 599 villages (muban).

The districts are:

• Mueang Bueng Kan
• Phon Charoen
• So Phisai
• Seka
• Pak Khat
• Bueng Khong Long
• Si Wilai
• Bung Khla

Tourist attractions include:

• Bueng Khong Long Lake - Isaan's little sea...
• Wat Phu Tok - "Isaan's Stairway to Heaven"
• Mekong Sunset... in Pak Khat

Mekong Sunset... in Pak Khat

Pak Khat (Thai: ปากคาด) is a small district (amphoe) bordering the Mekong River in the eastern part of Nong Khai Province, northeastern Thailand, aka Isaan. The king amphoe or minor district was established on October 1 1978, when it was split off from Phon Phisai district.

Neighboring districts are Bueng Kan, So Phisai, and Rattanawapi - all in Nong Khai Province. On the opposite Mekong river banks is the Laotian province of Bolikhamxai.

Pak Khat is a small but vivid town, nestled along the Mekong river. Sunsets can be amazing as you can see from below pictures.