Quiet on the damsite

Quiet on the damsite

Environment

Despite considerable headlines provided by the media, nothing much appears to be happening at Tang Palao, the site of the projected Tasang dam on the Salween, which upon its completion will become the biggest megadam in southeast Asia. 

"We villagers are only allowed to observe," said a native of Hsala crossing, south of Tang Palao, "not to ask questions." 

Villagers said the only notable accomplishment they witnessed was the completion of the road that branches off the Mongton-Mongpan highway to the damsite. (Related report: Salween dam survey goes on, S.H.A.N., 1 June 2003)

Road repair by Thai Sawad, a subcontractor of MDX Group, the Thai firm that had won a contract from Burma on 20 December 2002 to build the dam, is still going on. 

A reliable source on the border added: "On 16 December, a 5-man team led by Mr Phanphong Wiwatananon, Project Engineer of GMS Power (a company in the MDX Group), went to Tasang. Three returned to Thailand on 23 December, but two including Mr Phanphong stayed on." 

A company from Light Infantry Battalion 519 is currently responsible for security there.