Thailand – Mekong River Dams cause floods and damages to farmers

Studies and research show that Chinese dams on the Mekong River, which feeds more than sixty million people in six Southeast Asian countries and has a close relationship with food security are causing floods in the northern region of Thailand, especially in Chiang Rai Province, and environmental problems in the surrounding villages. Yanyong Srijaroen, WWF-Thailand Wetlands Project Manager stated that the operation of Chinese dams often involves the untimely and unexpected release of large amounts of water destroying the nests and eggs of young birds of the endangered species. Moreover, dams located at the source lead to salinization and the decline of fisheries, which affects the surrounding villages that depend on the river, as well as to its negative effects on crops because of the sediment that usually fertilizes crops at the top of the source.