Fascinating insight into the politics of this huge, populous and resource rich region. They could learn a few lessons from the Murray in Australia and some rivers in the NW of the US, where water rights are being bought back and dams removed. We all know that it was wealthy lobbyists that profited for a short while at huge cost to the environment. The people did not have a say when governments sold off the rivers, or gave away cheap power for decades to big resource interests. You point out high level 'white collar' corruption in Laos but it happens here in Australia too.

SE Rural SE Asia is rich in sunlight; you don't need heating or hot water and most can do without air conditioning. So energy means lighting and a few small appliances - mobile phone, laptop, fans, small fridge. You are right - small scale local PV can provide that at village level.

The main thing you have to fear is floods and these will be more and more severe with global warming.

Maybe legal action by nations downstream who will be affected is the only way to stop this dam?

Do you have a link showing where the dam will be located and what land will be flooded?

The Murray, Murrumbidgee and Goulburn have been in flood or flowing at high levels since La Nina arrived two years ago. If it were not for dams on these rivers most towns and industries in the region would have been without water in the recent ten year drought. If you can alleviate flooding, store water for dry periods and generate electricity dams is surely the way to go. In view of the recent high river flows more dams should be planned now.
There was a lot of criticism of Chinas three gorges dam but it has been realised that the benefits will be much greater than the costs. The construction of the Snowy Mountains Scheme and the dams on many of our rivers was a progressive era for Australia, it inspired confidence and we enjoy the benefits today.
ROSES1 : I do not think the people of SE Asia will be content with village life and a small fridge. They will look at China, Korea and Japan and yearn for industrialisation and higher wages. We are lucky in Australia in that new dams do not require the relocation of large numbers of people; another reason to build more dams now.

another reason to build more dams now.
Siller,
I think you're spot-on with that. In addition to dams & rather than simply submit to the irregularity of water to interior Australia we must enhance Nature by diverting river water from running into the Gulf or the Barrier Reef & turn it westward into Lake Eyre to make it permanent. Apparently, the interior was green before & so it should be again. It certainly would solve many economic & environmental problems. The challenge is to make the environmentalists see the win, win of doing that. It would take quite a lot of pressure off the east coast & Barrier Reef.

To: All Laotian people who are supporting the Mekong River Dams in Laos

The Mekong River dams have an impact on the environment too much, and you will lose your river, fishes, forest, or the environment forever. I heard a lot people in America said “why don’t you go to tell Chinese to stop Mekong River dam”. Think twice before you say that because China is not member of Mekong River Commission (MRC). Do you not need to save your house from a fire first or you support a fire to burning your house?

Before you go out to tell the Chinese to stop dams in the Mekong River, look first at how it will affect the people living around the dams. Is the Mekong River is important to you and your family, please think about future of the Mekong River and what you will be gain or will be lost,

If you do not wake up, please look back more than 30 years ago and why you left Laos and came to United States of America or any other country. Make sure you look back and look long term and not short term; you need to respect yourself and not follow someone. How many dams in Laos are they planning to build? If you do not know, I would like you to know. There will be more than 70 dams planned to be built and there is no need to build on Mekong River.

Please, I ask you to save our land from outsiders who are planning to destroy our land; they are not coming to benefit the people. They are coming to make millions and leave the country in rubbish.

Are you still proud to be Laotian inside? If you are, then the Laos land needs to be saved.

I Respect you!

Khampoua Naovarangsy

May 5, 2012
Save Our Mekong River From Dams

http://khampoua.wordpress.com