Thai firm opposed from buying hydropower from Laos

Thai villagers are blocking the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand from buying electricity to be generated by a hydropower dam being built in Laos.

The 37 villagers are seeking the cancellation of an agreement for EGAT to buy almost all the power from the 1,285-megawatt Xayaburi dam.

This is part of efforts to halt a US$3.6 billion project on the Mekong River that is opposed by downstream countries.

"EGAT signed a contract without the process of consulting or giving information to stakeholders," said Teerapong Pomun, a member of Living River Siam, one of the groups that assisted the villagers. "The dam's construction in Laos will cause an impact in Thailand, and Thai authorities have not taken any action required by the constitution to study the impact."

Thailand's constitution prohibits projects or activities that may harm the environment without public consultation, impact studies and opinions from independent organisations. It also gives people the right to sue state enterprises.

The villagers filed the lawsuit against five Thai government entities including Egat, according to documents distributed to reporters at the court by an activitist group called the Thai People's Network of Eight Mekong Provinces.

Laos plans to expand its generating capacity and sell electricity to its neighbours.

"I don't think Vietnam or China want to buy power from Xayaburi dam because it's too far and it would cost a lot to build a power line," Teerapong said. "Thailand is the only country that would be a buyer."

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