Before flowing to Loei province – a province located on the Thailand-Laos border, the Mekong River’s water had to flow through dozens of other hydroelectric dams, including 11 of China and one of Laos. South China Morning Post On May 25, citing local people and experts, the hydroelectric dams of China and Laos have affected fish habitats, changing the natural flow with the seasons and even the color of the water. . The impact is becoming more and more obvious Rodjana Thepwong, a 64-year-old woman with a lovely smile, said gold panders in Thailand often wade into the middle of the river during the dry season. “The sediment at the bottom of the river is full of gold. I’ve even found pieces of gold as small as tamarind seeds,” she said, plunging into the river with a pickaxe, brushing away the mud and rocks. “Because of hydroelectric dams, river water rises and falls randomly, making the ecosystem out of balance. We were forced to move to the river’s edge, where there was only a very small amount of gold.” Ms. Rodjana is just one of 60 million people who depend on the Mekong River – the river that flows from China, through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia before emptying into the delta region of Vietnam. Environmental activists say the diets, livelihoods and environment of these millions have been put in jeopardy since Chinese companies harnessed hydroelectricity. One fine day, these two women were able to find $15 worth of gold. Photo: South China Morning Post. “I realized things were changing, many fish died and the water rose suddenly,” said Chantarasee Hieng, another gold pander. Downstream, experts say, in February, the river suddenly turned blue – a seasonal phenomenon for the first time, indicating that nutrients from silt are gradually disappearing from waterways this. Climate change also plays a role in causing this phenomenon, with heavier rains and prolonged droughts. But both Ms. Rodjana and Hieng insist hydroelectric dams are the main cause of the decline in the quality of the river that was once a source of food and income for many families. “So sad. But what can we do?” Ms. Rodjana said. Hope is forgotten A new dam is scheduled to be built about 2 km from the Chiang Kan district of Loei, the mountainous northeastern province of Thailand. The Sanakham Dam is a $2 billion program with electricity generated for export mainly to Thailand. The dam, built by Chinese company Datang, is expected to generate 684 megawatts of electricity when it comes into operation from 2028. The project is seen as an integral part of its strategy to become “the power source of Southeast Asia. ” of Laos. Gold panders in the Mekong River, Loei province, Thailand. Photo: South China Morning Post. The Mekong River Commission – the commission set up to manage water resources in the Mekong basin, with members Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam – says it has only about $28 million (1.4%) total budget) is devoted to measures to reduce harm to the environment and society. Thailand openly opposes the Lao plan. Residents living in this river area are lobbying the government to stop building the dam, along with public debate about the need for electricity generated by hydropower among officials in the country. Tosapol Wongwan, assistant secretary-general, National Water Resources Office of Thailand, said: “What is happening in the Mekong River has reached a point where it cannot be repaired. What we can do right now is focus on how to reduce the impact (human activities on the river).” Not easy to solve Upstream countries – China and Laos – have begun to share data on water flows and herald the closure and release of dams to their downstream neighbors. However, it is difficult to achieve complete transparency among countries with competing strategic, economic and national security needs. Laos owns two dams – the Thai-developed Xayaburi dam in the north and the Don Sahong dam near the Cambodian border. There are also seven other projects being planned. Mekong River near the Thai-Lao border. Photo: Reuters. Critics say it’s difficult to make a transparent assessment of the uses and impacts of dams on the environment. China, which is speeding up dam construction, insists hydroelectricity is an eco-friendly resource to boost the Mekong’s economy. However, according to Songrit Kirk Pongern, an academic researcher on the Mekong River at Thailand’s Kasetsart University, as dam construction continues, the forecast of a negative impact on the river is ominous. “In the next five years, the consequences will become more and more obvious. The number of fish will continue to decline, the downstream will lack alluvium, riverside and local fishing will disappear, food security for 60 million people will be exhausted,” he said.

The Exhibition of Ornamental Creatures Festival has just taken place in Nam Tu Liem district, Hanoi. The most unique here is a set of tables and chairs “Cuu Lan gathers” made of Nu Khoai wood by Mr. Long Nhat in Nghe An with the price of up to 2.8 billion. Each arm of the 4 single chairs is chiseled by artisans with many elaborate and meticulous motifs. “Nu wood is born from the ‘injuries’ of ancient trees. The types of trees with tumors or rough exteriors are very rare”, Mr. Nhat shared. According to him, “Cuu Lan gathers” means there are 9 unicorns on the table and chairs, of which 8 are in 4 chairs and one at the head of the table. To make this set of tables and chairs takes about 2 years, especially the stage of finding embryos is the most difficult and difficult. The main table is about 3 meters long. On the table is a statue of Maitreya Buddha sitting under a pine tree with his back leaning against a stone. At the foot of the statue are decorative details gilded. After 11 days of display at the exhibition, although many giants were interested and asked for the price, the furniture set worth 2.8 billion still has no owner. Currently, the set of tables and chairs “Cuu Lan gathers” continues to be displayed at an exhibition in Bac Giang. The second highest price in the exhibition is a set of tables and chairs made of Hoang Long jade originating from Myanmar for sale for 1.6 billion VND. It is known that the table and chairs are crafted by artisans both by hand and by machine and put together with iron tenons and bearing glue. The front and back of the chair have many delicate patterns. In addition, a set of furniture made from Lao ebony owned by Mr. Nguyen Van Tieu in Dong Ky, Bac Ninh is also one of the most expensive decorative items in the exhibition. According to the owner of this set of tables and chairs, it takes half a year to make a product with meticulous and sophisticated carvings. “The drying stage of Lao ebony wood is the most time consuming stage,” said Mr. Tieu. Standing and admiring each piece of furniture for a long time, Mr. Nguyen Van Thuan (Hoai Duc, Hanoi) shared: “I am an antiques player and often go to exhibitions. However, this is It’s the first time I’ve seen such a beautiful and marvelously carved table and chair set. I think this ebony furniture set costing a billion dong is totally worth it.”