Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Chinas Railway for Laos: From Boten to Vientiane - The Maps

Update 16.8.2018

Construction work for the railway from Chinas border in Boten (磨丁市) to Vientiane, the capital city of Laos, has advanced. Follow the updates here.


Let's start with the Boten-Vientiane-Railway Google Map by #treasuresoflaos with latest updates:


A list of all planned station has been published by Wisarut. This blogger has matched it with a list published by Bounthone Sanasinh:

0. km Zero at Lao - China Border at Lao - China Friendship Tunnel (友谊隧道)
1. Boten (磨丁个车站, ສະຖານີບໍແຕນ); the Southern end of Friendship tunnels - km 3 + 020
2. Na Teuy (纳堆个车站, ສະຖານີນາເຕີຍ) km 15+400 2
3. Na Mor (纳磨个车站, ສະຖານີນາໝໍ້) km 30+940
4. Na Thong (那通个车站, ສະຖານີນາທອງ); km 40 + 675
5. Muong Xai Station (孟塞个车站, ສະຖານີເມືອງໄຊ) the provincial capital of Oudomsay province - km 69 + 550
6. Ban Na Khok Station (班纳科个车站, ສະຖານີບ້ານນາກອກ)
7. Muong Nga (孟阿火车站, ສະຖານີເມືອງງາ) km 115 + 720
8. Huoi Han Nga Station (会汉河 个车站, ສະຖານີຫ້ວຍຫັນງາ)
9. Luang Prabang (琅勃拉邦个车站, ສະຖານີຫລວງພະບາງ) - km 170 + 200
10. Xieng Ngeun Station (相嫩个车站, ສະຖານີຊຽງເງີນ) - southern suburb of Luang Prabang - km 179 + 150
11. Sala Patu Station (沙拉巴土个车站, ສະຖານີສາລາພາທູ) km 211 + 620
12. Muong Kasi (孟卡西 个车站, ສະຖານີເມືອງກາສີ) - km 240 + 090
13. Ban Phatang Station(班帕当 个车站, ສະຖານີບ້ານພາຕັ້ງ) - km 268 + 250
14. Vang Vieng (万荣 个车站, ສະຖານີວັງວຽງ) - tourist spot - km 285 + 100
15. Wang Khi station (万基个车站, ສະຖານີວັງຂີ) - km 312 + 175
16. Phonh Hong (丰洪个车站, ສະຖານີໂພນໂຮງ) - Provincial Capital of Vieng Chan - km 344 + 575
17. Ban Phonh Sung (班芬送个车站, ສະຖານີບ້ານໂພນສູງ) km 374+650
18. Vientiane Neua - (万象北个车站, ສະຖານີວຽງຈັນເໜືອ) Northern Vieng Chan capital - km 390 + 050
19. Vientiane (象北 个车站, ສະຖານີວຽງຈັນໃຕ້) - km 408 + 240 - Lao National University of Laos at Ban Don Noun, Viengchan Capital
22. Vientiane Tai (万象南 个车站, ສະຖານີວຽງຈັນໃຕ້) - clearly the station near National Stadium at Lak 16 at km 412 + 300 - not in the list of starting yet since this has been terminated at km 409+000
23. Thanaleng East (塔拉能东 ท่านาแล้งตะวันออก) - clearly the station near Tha Nalaeng station at km 425+000 - not in the list of starting yet since this has been terminated at km 409+000


Maps published in an early stage of planning:

Line from border between Laos and China at Boten (Map 1)

Detail of Line at Boten (Map2)


(Map 3)

Line west of Oudomsay airport (Map 4)



Line south of Oudomsay (Map 5)

Line near Luang Prabang (Map 6)

Line south of Luang Prabang< (Map 7)br> The line crosses N13 north of Nam Ngum Lake, south of Vang Vieng (Map 8)

The line follows N13 west of Nam Ngum Lake (Map 9)


North of Vientiane the line follows N13 national road (Map 10)


The line crosses the Mekong and the border to Thailand at Nong Khai, Vientiane and its airport at the left (Map 11)


Source of the maps: 新建铁路磨丁至万象线线路平 Boten Vientiane Railway Line
. See this map also in this video.


See also this map by designforconservation.org
. And see the line on this Youtube-Visualisation.


Planned is an electrified single track (standard track gauge) with a distance of 427,7 km. There will be 162 bridges with a total distance of 68.093 km, 72 tunnels with the distance of 183.978 km. Maximum speed for cargo will be 120 kph, maximum speed for passenger trains from Boten to Vang Vieng will be 160 kph, from Vang Vieng to Vientiane capital 200 kph. 33 stations are planned, but first only 21 stations will be built. These will allow trains passing each other. 11 stations will offer passenger services.

7 major tunnels are planned:
Lao - China Friendship tunnel (友谊隧道 and 玉磨铁路友谊隧道): 9,68 km, 2,51 km on Lao side of border while 7,17 km on Chinese side. Start of construction in June 2016 by China Railway Second Bureau.
Kong Lang tunnel (空琅村隧道, 8150 meter)
Wa Nu Mountain (努瓦山隧道, 8185 meter)
Phu Kluea (福格村隧道, 8880 meter)
Ka (卡村隧道, 8005 meter)
Sen tunnel (森村隧道, 9405 meter)
La Meng tunnel (拉孟山隧道, 8055 meter)

According to the plan, there will be 11 stations for passenger use. 3 will be built in Oudomxay's Namor, Xay and Nga districts. 2 more stations will be built in Luang Prabang and Xieng-ngeun districts in Luang Prabang province. 3 will be constructed in Kasy, Vangvieng and Phonhong districts in Vientiane province and the main station will be in Vientiane. A goods transport depot will also be built in Vientiane.

More details here.

The total project cost is estimated at 38.7 billion yuan (over USD 6 billion), which is about 90.6 million yuan (approx. USD 14 million) per kilometre. The Lao government has obtained a loan of about USD 480 million from China to pay its share of the investment cost. Somsavat Lengsavad, Laotian deputy prime minister, said the Chinese government has earlier offered Laos a loan with a three-percent interest rate, adding that Laotian government also asked the Chinese government to reduce the rate. He did not mention what the agreed-upon interest rate was. Laos will back the loan with five of its potash mines. Somsavat said after calculation, Laos has determined that it will be able to pay it back to China within five years instead of 30 years as Laos has five mines.


Construction contracts were awarded as follows:

1. Boten - Meuang Xay (Oudomxay, 88.65 km): China Railway No.5 Engineering Group (owned by China Railway Group Limited)
2. Meuang Xay (Oudomxay) - Nam Seu Bridge (68.8 km, including Mueang Xai station yard): China Railway International Group (owned by China Railway Group Limited)
3. Nam Seu Bridge - Phou Sanen Hill (65.6 km, including Bridge across Sue river): China Railway Baju Group Company (owned by China Railway Group Limited)
4. Phou Sanen Hill - Ban Pa Village (61.49 km): Sinohydro Group
5. Ban Pa Village - Phonhong (79.5 km): Power Construction Corporation of China
6. Phonhong - Vientiane (65.7 km, (including Phone Hong station yard): China Railway Erju Co., Ltd (owned by China Railway Group Limited)


See also Map China Laos Railway


See video of the line


Wednesday, August 8, 2018

After Xepian-Xe Nam Noy dam in Laos collapsed: Laos reviews its Hydropower Strategy

In a twodays-meeting after the collaps of Xepian-XeNamnoy dam the government of Laos has decided to inspect all Hydropower dams in the country and to suspend any new investment in its hydroelectricity projects so it has time to review a longer-term development strategy and plans. This is reported by Vientiane Times.

Inspections are carried out into all dams, those that are complete and those whose construction is underway, reports The Nation. The investigation committee is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Government Inspection Authority, Dr Bounthong Chitmany. The meeting also agreed to establish a high-level committee, supervised by Dr Bounthong, to investigate the responsibility of state authorities for the dam failure, as well as those in charge of issuing warnings ahead of the disaster. Laos will invite international experts for this investigation.


Read more:
After Xepian-Xe Nam Noy dam in Laos collapsed: More than thousand People missing

Laos - the Battery of Asia: Hydropower Dams and Consequences


Saturday, August 4, 2018

After Xepian-Xe Nam Noy dam in Laos collapsed: More than thousand People missing

See Xepian-Xe Nam Noy dam Google Map

How to donate for dam flood victims in Laos - suggestions by Laotian Times



Read the latest situation update by United Nations in Laos

PRAY FOR LAO PEOPLE!

4.8.2018

Search for missing people still onging. The deputy secretary of Attapeu’s provincial committee, Meenaporn Chaichompoo, has admitted that “we can’t find 1,126 people”, notes The Diplomat. Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith admitted it was the worst disaster faced by the small Southeast Asian country in decades. The latest report about the situation in Sanamxay district by UNO.

The eight villages most affected by the flood are all contaminated by Unexploded Ordnance (UXO). At least 94% of the villages in Attapeu province are contaminated by UXO, says Unicef.



31.7.2018

European commission has published a remodelling of the flood wave here


28.7.2018

Lao Government has issued a warning for people living along Nam Ou river near Luang Prabang, reports @PichayadaCNA. It says the water level of Nam Ou 2 dam has reached crisis point and urges local residents to prepare for evacuation. The dam is part of a seven-dam cascade developed by China’s Sinohydro Corp. Warning notice has been issued on Friday (Jul 27) by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment as well as the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology. See Nam Ou Hydropower Google Map



Here information by Nam Ou River Basin Hydropower Co LTD.


'It sounded like the sea': Lao villagers, now in a shelter in Sanamxai secondary school recount frightening moment of dam collapse on channelnewsasia.



Latest situation in Sanamxai, Attapeu province:
-11,034 people affected
-3,060 registered in shelters
-at least 131 missing
-at least 19 killed
-6,400 displaced
-Immediate food needs of 96 tonnes a month
According to UN report, read Laos dam collapse affects more than 10,000 people: UN report


27.7.2018

The Laotian prime minister Thonglun Sisoulit said on Wednesday (Jul 25) 131 people are still missing, as channelnewsasia reports. He attributed the collapse of the dam to “heavy rainfall” and “possibly faulty construction” according to rfa.org. Ian Baird, a professor of geography at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an expert on Laos, told RFA’s Lao Service Wednesday that the project partners should be held responsible for the collapse of the dam, noting that heavy rains should not have been enough to cause the tragedy. “It was caused due to poor management of the reservoir water of the Xe Pian Xe Namnoy Dam. It is the middle of the monsoon rainy season, so heavy rains should be expected during this time of year.” Minister of Energy and Mines, Dr Khammany Inthirath, told the media that the collapse of the Saddle Dam was likely due to substandard construction, as Laotian Times reports.

Dam operator Korea Western Power Co. said one of the auxiliary dams - "Saddle D" - broke under heavy rain. But according to a timeline the firm provided in a report to a South Korean lawmaker and obtained by AFP, it said "11 centimetres of subsidence was found at the centre of the dam" as early as Friday.

At least three thousand people in Laos are still in need of rescue, clinging to trees and sitting on rooftops, after Xe Pian Xe Namnoy dam burst, flooding villages and killing at least 19, reports theguardian.com.

26.7.2018
Situation overview bei Unitar

25.7.2018
Situation overview by Unitar.

24.7.2018
Hundreds of people are missing and an unknown number dead after the Xepian-Xe Nam Noy dam collapsed in south-east Laos, media are reporting. The collapse at the hydroelectric dam in Attapeu province late on Monday sent flash floods through six villages. Lives have been lost, thousands of homes are destroyed and several hundres of people are missing, as jclao.com reports. Sanamxay district governor Bounhome Phommasone told RFA’s Lao Service on July 24 that around 4,000 residents of seven villages in Sanamxay have now been moved to higher ground, with approximately 2,000 taken to the area of district offices and the rest moved to safety in other places.

According to Pichayada P. the following villages were hit by the flashflood: Yai Thae, Hinlad, Mai, Thasengchan, Tha Hin and Samong.

See this video on Facebook of people living along Xe Pian River

The US$1.2 billion dam is part of a project by Vientiane-based Xe Pian Xe Namnoy Power Company, or PNPC, a joint venture formed in 2012 between a Laotian, a Thai and two South Korean companies, according to the project's website.

The main Thai stakeholder in the project, Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding, said it had received a report from the dam's operator that a "saddle dam", measuring 770m long and 16m high, had collapsed, reports BBC. A spokesman for SK Engineering & Construction, a South Korean company with a stake in the project, told the BBC a small supply dam - not the main dam - had been partly lost due to "unexpected heavy rainfall".

The dam is a key component of the country’s controversial ambition to become the “battery of Asia” by selling power to its neighbours, reports theguardian.com. Eleven large hydropower dams on the main Mekong River, and 120 tributary dams, are planned over the next 20 years.

According to jclao.com a signed letter from Mr Lee Kang Yeol, Head of the Resettlement Office of Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy Power Company, has been spread around social media in Laos, warning that part of its dam is likely to break. Reuters reports that an official of SK Engineering & Construction said the company ordered the evacuation of 12 villages as soon as it became clear that the dam would collapse.


Warning dated from Sunday 23th of July

See Instagram pictures of Attapue Xe Pian Xe Namnoy Hydroelectric Power
See Instagram Pictures about Power Intake Xepian Xenamnoy Hydropower Project

Read background about Xepian-Xe Nam Noy dam project: Lao Power for Thailand: New dams on Bolaven Plateau affect the Dong Hua Sao National Biodiversity Conservation Area.
Read about other dam projects: Xayaburi Dam and Don Sahong Dam in Mekong River divide Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam


Maps of Xepian-Xe Nam Noy dam project, published by Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy Power Co., Ltd.:






Xe Pian Xe Namnoy dam illustration on conpaper.tistory.com


Analysis of XePian-XeNamnoy dam break - what we know so far
The following analysis has been published in Chinese here by author 徐泽平 郑璀莹, translated an rewrited:

Around 20 o'clock on July 23, 2018, the dam break occurred. The Xe-Namnoy reservoir (total storage capacity of 1.043 billion m3) was broken by the D dam with a height of 16 m. The dam flood flooded the Sanamxay area of Attapeu province in southern Laos. Villages. According to the emergency letter issued by the owner PNPC, the media reported that the flood discharge reached 5 billion m3.
The project consists of three dams, Xe-Namnoy (see Youtube), Xe-Pian and Houay Makchanh, five auxiliary dams, water delivery systems and powerhouses with a total installed capacity of 410 MW. The Houay Makchanh reservoir has a controlled drainage area of 81km2. The dam is a concrete overflow dam with a maximum dam height of 8.5m, a dam axis length of 1789.0m and a dam crest elevation of 814.5m. The water is led to the Xe-Pian reservoir through the diversion channel. The Xe-Pian reservoir has a controlled drainage area of 271km2. The dam is a composite dam of concrete gravity dam and clay core wall rockfill dam. The maximum dam height is 48m, the dam axis is 1307.0m long, the dam crest elevation is 799.5m, and the total reservoir capacity is 2000. The Xe-Pian Reservoir is connected to the Xe-Namnoy Reservoir through a 7.96km diversion canal. Xe-Namnoy is a large reservoir with a controlled drainage area of 522km2. The dam is a clay core wall rockfill dam (Fig. 5). The maximum dam height is 73.7m, the dam axis is 1600m long, the dam crest elevation is 792.5m, and the total reservoir capacity is 1.043 billion m3.

The dam that breaked was the D dam (Saddle Dam D) on the southwest side of the Xe-Namnoy Reservoir. The D dam is an earth dam with a dam height of 16m, a dam axis of 770m and a dam roof width of 8m. According to a report received by AFP on the 25th, a South Korean congressman reported that on July 20th, the D dam had "11 cm subsidence in the middle" A spokesperson for the Western Electric Power Company said: "It is unclear why some of the dams have sunken and cracked. But all of this happened in heavy rain." On July 23, the PNPC issued an emergency letter to the government authorities, pointing out that due to the severe heavy rain in the area, the reservoir water overflowed the dam crest of D dam. At 12 noon, the local government ordered the downstream villagers to evacuate. At about 8 o'clock that night, the D dam collapsed, and the reservoir water poured down and flowed westward into the Xe Pian River. Due to the limited capacity of the Xe Pian channel, the floods flow out of the river. Many villages in the Sanamxay area are flooded, including Mai Village, HinLath Village, ThaSengchan Village, Thahintai Village, Sanong Village, Thae Village, Phonsa-ath Village and Nongkhae Village. Among them, Hinlath Village and Mai Village are the most seriously affected.br>
In general, the continuous heavy rainfall caused by the monsoon season and the tropical storm Son-Tinh is the direct cause of flooding and dam failure. The Global Disaster Alerting Coordination System (GDACS) issued the Orange Warning for the Tropical Storm in Son-Tinh on July 15, 2018. The affected areas include the Philippines, China, Vietnam and Laos. The Ban Veunkhen hydrological site data, which is not far from the disaster area, shows strong rainfall due to the transit of the Son-Tinh tropical storm on July 20-21. The water level in the rivers increased rapidly and reached its peak on July 24.

As early as July 20, PNPC discovered the structural defects of the D dam dam crest. According to the description in this report, the defects of the dam crest structure are mainly cracks and subsidence. The cracks are mainly longitudinal cracks along the axis of the dam and transverse cracks partially perpendicular to the dam axis. The causes of the crack at the top of the dam may include:

1) The dam body is not densely packed, and the wet deformation of the dam body after the reservoir is stored causes uneven subsidence in the upstream and downstream directions of the dam body, thus showing cracks in the direction of the dam line at the dam crest.
2) Due to the problem of the material or construction quality of the dam, the central part of the dam (the bottom of the saddle mouth) and the bank slope are unevenly deformed, so that the crack perpendicular to the axis of the dam is formed. Usually, the crack is mainly distributed in the abutment part.
3) There are defects in the seepage control measures of the dam body. Under the condition of high water level, there is osmotic damage inside the dam body, and the dam top collapses after the fine particles in the dam body are lost.

From the management perspective, Laos has a tropical and subtropical monsoon climate, and the rainy season is from May to October. A clear flood control plan should be formulated to timely dispatch operations according to changes in water and rain conditions to avoid flooding and dams. These specific operational schedules are still unknown. However, according to the emergency letter and the scene photos issued by the PNPC on July 23, the reservoir was full and the water flow over the D dam, eventually this was leading to the collapse of the D dam.

For earth-rock dam projects, one of the most important causes of collapse is external erosion damage caused by the diffuse roof, and the other is the internal erosion damage caused by seepage. For earth-rock dam projects, in addition to ensuring the reliability of the dam structure design and construction quality, the capacity and reliability of the flood discharge facilities should be highly valued.

The project investor was PNPC (Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy Power Company) and construction began in February 2013. It was planned to start production in 2019. PNPCs shareholders are Korea SK Construction Co., Ltd. (SKEC, holding 26%), Thailand Ratchaburi Power Generation Company (RATCH, holding 25%), Korea West Power (KOWEPO, holding 25%) and Laos Holding State-owned Enterprise (LHSE, 24%).This joint venture has been formed in March 2012. PNPC invested about US$1.02 billion. PNPC has signed a franchise agreement with the Lao government. After the beginning of the commercial operation of the power station, it will be franchised for 27 years. 370MW of electricity will be sold to the Thai Electric Power Company (EGAT), and 40MW of electricity will be sold to Laos Power Company (EDL).


Background about Hydropower dams in Laos:

Laos - the Battery of Asia: Hydropower Dams and Consequences


See also Google Map Mekong River Hydropower and Dams


Sunday, July 29, 2018

Laos - the Battery of Asia: Hydropower Dams and Consequences

See the locations on Mekong Hydropower Google Map

The government of Laos has already completed 51 hydro-electric dams, another 46 are under construction. Most of these projects began in the last 10 years, with the government arguing hydropower could lift landlocked Laos out of poverty, notes The Diplomat .


Chinas and Laos' flags at Xayaburi construction site, 25.1.2015

China is involved in roughly half of Laos’ hydropower projects, whether on the main channel of the Mekong River or its tributaries. According to data from International Rivers, Chinese dam projects in Laos include the $2.4 billion Pak Beng dam (to be constructed by China Datang Overseas Investment), a $2 billion seven-dam cascade on the Nam Ou River (under development by Sinohydro Corporation), the Nam Khan 3 hydropower project (also by Sinohydro), and the Nam Beng dam (China Electrical Equipment Corporation).(Source: The Diplomat)

In pictures: Damming Laos' Mekong River (25.4.2013)

After the collapse of XePian-XeNamnoy dam the government of Laos has decided to inspect all Hydropower dams in the country and to suspend any new investment in its hydroelectricity projects so it has time to review a longer-term development strategy and plans. This could be an opportunity to push for other forms of renewable energy – solar and wind – that Laos is well-placed to use, argues Brian Eyler, Director of the Southeast Asia program at the Stimson Center in Washington, DC. Read here.


XePian-XeNamnoy dam break: After saddle dam D broke in July 2018 the flood devastated Sanamxay district in Attapeu province. More than 11 000 people affected, more than 1000 were missing. Laos was confronted with the worst disaster in decades. Analysis, why the dam broke http://treasuresoflaos.blogspot.com/2018/07/xepian-xe-nam-noy-dam-in-laos-collapsed.html.



Lao Power for Thailand: New dams on Bolaven Plateau affect the Dong Hua Sao National Biodiversity Conservation Area. (15.2.2013)



The Pak Beng Hydropower Project: The Pak Beng hydropower project is proposed on the Mekong mainstream in the northern territory of Lao PDR. The run-of-river project with capacity of 912 MW and the average annual generation of 4,775 GWh is expected to produce power for domestic supply and export. The dam is located between the Jinghong hydropower project in China and the Xayaburi hydropower project in Laos. See theesse videos by Mekong River Commission (MRC):





Environmental Impact Assessement, Sep 2015, Download

See presentation of Lancang-Mekong Development Plan - Environmental Study by Jeremy Carew-Reid at MRC International Conference in Siem Reap (2-3 April 2018)

In 2018 Thailand’s EGAT (The Thai Electricity Commission) deferred a decision on signing the power purchase agreement for the Pak Beng dam until the country’s energy development plan was completed. EGAT had originally agreed to buy 90 percent of the electricity from the dam. The Chinese dam-builder Datang Overseas Investment "appears likely to lose its Thai partner EGAT", writes thethirdpole.net (14.6.2018).



The Pak Lay Dam Project: On 13 June, the Government of Laos formally notified the Mekong River Commission (MRC) of its intention to construct the Pak Lay dam on the mainstream of the Mekong River. The notification triggers the Prior Consultation procedure under the Procedures for Notification, Prior Consultation and Agreement (PNPCA) of the 1995 Mekong Agreement. Pak Lay is the fourth Mekong mainstream dam to be submitted for the procedure.
At least 1,000 families from 20-some villages in northwestern Laos’ Xayaburi province will be forced to relocate if the Pak Lay Dam project will be realized, reports rfa.org. The villages that will be affected the most by the dam building are Bane Tha Liev, Bane Pak Tung, Bane Nong Kay, and Bane Hune Ngam.
Sinohydro and CEIEC agreed to construct the Pak Lay hydropower project at Xayaboury and signed a memorandum of understanding in 2007. The project is to be funded by China's Export-Import Bank, through a $1.7 billion loan, this according to china.aiddata.org.



Nam Theun 2 dam: U.S. $1.3 billion Nam Theun 2 (NT2) hydropower dam, constructed in central Laos’ Khammouane province to generate foreign currency through electricity exports to Thailand. The dam is a trans-basin diversion power plant that uses water from the Nam Theun River, a tributary of the Mekong, and releases it into the Xe Bang Fai River, wrires rfa.org. Roughly 6,200 people, mostly ethnic minorities and indigenous people, have been forced to relocate to make way for the project’s reservoir.


The Xayaburi dam: The $3.8 billlion Xayaburi dam with 1,285 MW generation, is scheduled to be completed in 2019. According to geologist Dr. Punya Charusiri of Chulalungkorn University in Bangkok, “The Xayaburi dam poses a potential danger because there are active faults close to the dam site.” He added that construction “should never have started at such a site without further research into its seismic risk.” (Source: The Diplomat)

Ein Beitrag geteilt von KAM_ (@cheekkam_) am

See more pictures of Xayaburi dam.
Xayaburi Dam and Don Sahong Dam in Mekong River divide Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam
Aerial view of Xayaburi Hydropower Project, 15.7.2017



Nam Ou Hydropower Project: The Nam Ou 7 dam is 10% complete and expected to be fully completed by 2020.(19.4.2017)
Rich past, uncertain futures: Khmu community’s memories of living with the Ou River. The Nam Ou 2 Dam is now complete, and nearby communities have been relocated. (19.4.17)
Second phase of 1,156-MW Nam Ou hydro project kicks off in Laos (5.4.2016)

The Impacts of Hydropower Development on Livelihoods of Downstream Communities: Case Studies in Laos. Amphone Sivongxay, Charles Darwin University Darwin, NT Australia. About Nam Ngum dam (June 2015)

Cumulative Impact Assessment of the Nam Ou hydropower cascade (2.3.2016)
Nam Ou 2 launches first energy generator. Nam Ou 2 hydropower plant will have three generators (3.12.2015)
An Eyewitness Report on Involuntary Resettlement Associated with Nam Ou 2 (Hat Kip) (April 2012)



The Nam Ao Dam Collapse: A Preview Of Things To Come? Flash floods after Nam Ao Dam burst in Phasai District. (11.9.2017)



Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Lao Power for Thailand: New dams on Bolaven Plateau affect the Dong Hua Sao National Biodiversity Conservation Area

First publicated on 15.02.13

See the locations on Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy Hydroelectric Project Google Map

Picture by Piboon Boonsong
Houay Makchan River: Plans for a dam

Laos has signed a 32-year land lease with investors to develop the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy hydroelectric project according to emergingfrontiersblog.com. Lao Deputy Natural Resources and the Environment Minister Akhom Tounalom signed the agreement with the chief executive officer of the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy Power Co, Young-Ju Choi, in Vientiane. Construction of the project in Attapeu and Champasak provinces is expected to start in July, with commercial operation planned for February 2019, project officials told The Vientiane Times. The initial investment cost of the project was about 2,100 billion kip (7.8 billion baht). The firm is a joint venture between the Lao government, which has a 24% stake, SK Engineering and Construction Co (26%), and the Korea Western Power Co and Thailand-based Ratchaburi Electric Generating Holding Plc with 25% each. The hydro dam is designed to produce 390 megawatts. Around 90% of the energy will be sold to Thailand with the rest for domestic consumption.

Picture by Piboon Boonsong
Xe Pian River: Plans for a dam

In this project, 1,000 MCM of water, which is received from Houay Makchan Dike and Xe Pian Dam, will be stored in Xe Namnoy Dam. The dams are located on the Bolaven Plateau while the power plants are installed at the base. The flow of water from the height of 630 meters by a 13.5-kilometer headrace tunnel to the powerhouse at the bottom of the Xe Kong Valley enables the generating of electricity. The water will then be discharged into Xe Kong River, notes teamgroup.co.th. Xe Kong River flows into Mekong River.

Picture by Piboon Boonsong
Xe Namnoy River: Plans for a dam

Thousands of people have been forcefully moved from their old villages between 1996 and 2001 along the Xe Pian and Xe Namnoy rivers to make way for two dams that were being planned at that time, the Houay Ho and Xe Pian-Xe Namnoy hydropower projects, as International Rivers reports. The dams then were not built because the Korean developer’s original plans ran aground during the Asian financial crisis. Two villages, Ban Houay Chot and Ban Nong Pha Nouan rejected the resettlement packages and stayed behind. Now this villagers are confronted with the beginning work. Unclear is, which consequences the project has for ethnic minority people in Cambodia living downstream along the Xe Kong River.

The dam projects are situated in Dong Hua Sao National Biodiversity Conservation Area, Read more about this Area on visitlaos.org and see photostream and comments by Ben. 1996 there was conducted a wildlife and habitat survey.

Picture by 杨德寿/Yang Deshou
Xe Namnoy River


Nearby is Xe Pian National Biodiversity Conservation Area. The Xe Pian National Protected Area (NPA) stretches out over 240,000 hectares in the Provinces of Champasak and Attapeu and touches the National border of Cambodia. It is one of the most important nature reserves in Laos. It has extensive wetlands and is home to rare wildlife such as elephants, gaur, sun bear, Asiatic black bear and the yellow-cheeked gibbon.

Read more:
Trekking around Kiet Ngong and Phapho wetlands - in Xe Pian National Protected Area


Saturday, June 2, 2018

Si Phan Don ສີ່​ພັນ​ດອນ - 4000 islands in the Mekong

See the locations on Si Phan Don Google Map
See the Pakse Weather Forecast


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Boats in the evening sun


"Si Phan Don" in Lao means "4000 islands". Around 110 to 60 kilometres down from Pakse the Mekong River forms different streams and these form hunders of islands. More than 60 000 people are living here, mainly from fishing. And here you find also the Irrawaddy Dolphins. See a picture by peterjones79. The best time to see the Irrawaddy dolphins is in the morning or in the late afternoon. But: Be aware: The Mekong Dolphin is endangered. Read: Is there a future for the Mekong Dolphin?


The best time to visit Si Phan Don is between November and January when the weather is cool and dry.


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Mekong River at Si Phan Don

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How to arrive

By bus:

Pakse-Don Khong: From Southern Bus Terminal in Pakse buses or Songthaews leave several times between 10 am and 3 pm. After 120 km (three hours) you arrive by ferry in Muang Khong.

Pakse-Don Khon/Don Det: From Southern Bus Terminal in Pakse buses or Songthaews for Ban Nakasang leave several times between 7.30 am and 3 pm (three to four hours), then you take the longtailboat to Don Khon or Don Det.

Ubon Ratchathani-Pakse-Khon Phapeng Waterfalls: Air-conditioned buses operate on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. The bus leaves Ubon Ratchathani at 0730 and arrives at the waterfall in southern Laos around noon. From Khon Phapeng it departs at 1400 and arrives in Ubon Ratchathani around 1830. The bus stops in Pakse for people who want to overnight there. For more information call Ubon Ratchathani’s bus station (045 314 299) or the Transport Company at 1490.

By car: There is a car ferry from Ban Hat to Ban Na on Don Khong island.



Don Khong ດອນ ໂຂງ - the big island

See the locations on Don Khong Google Map

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Rice field

Don Khong is the main island, the big one, as lokal people say, when they want to prevent you from mistaking it with Don Khon, which lies near the Mekong waterfalls. Don Khong is 18 km long and 8 km wide. The island can easily discovered by bicycles, which can be rented from a woman on the street near the pier of Muang Khong or also in the guesthouses. On the bike you will discover a quiet rural life. But don't forget a hat, to protect your head from the strong sun. Read, what Stevie_Wes saw on a bike tour.


Muang Khong
Muang Khong is the main village - a former French settlement. A large gold Buddha in the subduing Mara pose is overlooking the Mekong at Vat Phuang Kaew, also known as Vat Kan Khong:

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Vat Chom Thong at the upstream end of the village dates from the Chao Anou period (1805-1828). You find a Khmer-influenced sim with an unusual cruciform floor plan and carved wooden window shutters:

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Khmer influenced door

The naga heads on the roof of the main sim spill water from their mouths during raintime. Coconut and betel palms and Mango trees give the temple grounds some shade.


View across the Mekong towards Hat Xai Khun and its temple:

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A more detailed picture of the temple by Jo



Muang Saen

Muang Saen is a little village with view to the Cambodian boarder across the Mekong.
By bicycle it's about 45 minutes from Muang Khong. About 6 km north of Ban Muang Saen Nua you arrive at Wat Phou Khao Kaew (Glass Hill Monastery):

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Wat Phouang Keo

An entrance leads to the underground location of the nagas (Muang Nak). The legend says, the nagas will come to the surface to protect the Lao poeple when the country is in danger.


Ban Hua Khong

Ban Hua Khong at the north-western end of Don Khong was in 1924 the birthplace 0r Khamtay Siphandone, who became a postman and later the president of Laos. He has renovated Wat Hua Khong Pha Nyai with a cement seated Buddha image in the main sim.


At the southern tip of the island you discover two small villages: Ball Huay and Ban Hang Khong. Here Wat Thepsulin Phudin Hang Khong, also known as Wat Hang Khong, has spacious grounds and a small sim. Nearby is a carved and painted wooden Buddha sanctuary and the dharma sermon hall. Then there is Wat Sllimangkhalaham in Ban Huay.



Where to stay on Don Khong:

In Muang Khong:

Auberge Sala Done Khong: Closed in December 2010 - for renovation? No information on their website. From 26 USD. Air-con rooms with hot shower in wooden french colonial houses. Veranda areas to relax. "Popular with tour groups", notes travelfish.org. Very good reviews on tripadvisor.com. See picture by June.




Bounma Guesthouse: Basic rooms in an old wooden house.

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Don Khong Guesthouse
: 20 USD. Choice of rooms with fan or aircon (upstairs). Upstairs you find a balcony with reclining chairs and you overlook the Mekong River. The guesthouse rents bikes and you can book transportation to Pakse and Si Phan Don. Good review by Captain_Bob on thorntree

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Mali Guesthouse: 30 USD. Ban Kangkhong.


Mekong Inn: Ban Kangkong. 250m south of the boat landing. Fan rooms with shared bath are on the wooden second floor, air-con rooms with attached bath on the concrete first floor. Good review on travelfish.org. Read also the review by Free Pants.

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Villa Muong Khong Hotel: From 43 USD. 22 rooms in bungalows with air-con and bathrooms with hot showers. Bicycles can be rented here. Good reviews on holidaycheck and virtualtourist. A "comfortable midrange option" according to travelfish.org


Picture Muong Khong Villa


Pon Arena Hotel and Pon's River Guest House: From 20 USD. "It feels more like a small hotel than a guesthouse", comments travelfish.org. In fact a hotel has been added not far from the guesthouse.

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Pon's Guest House with the small road along the Mekong

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Pon's Arena Hotel

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Souk Sabay Don Khong: Next door to Pon's guesthouse. Good review by Tannith. "The rooms here are nothing special", comments travelfish.org. No good view according to visitasiatravel.com

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Senesothxuen Hotel: From 50 USD. See picture by Diane and picture on tripadvisor.de. Critical review on holidaycheck

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Souksan Guesthouse: From 35 USD. One kilometer from the boat landing. With air-con and hot-water bath. The former dorm-style accommodation was replaced with a new building. There are also bungalows and a restaurant with Chinese, Lao and Thai food at the river. Critical review on travelfish.org


Villa Kang Khong: From 15 USD. Aircon from 15 USD. Resembles a traditional Lao wooden house, 12 rooms. They rent bikes. Good review on tripadvisor.com. "Try for an upstairs room though as the downstairs ones are a bit dark and cellar-like", is the advise of travelfish.org.

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See also pcitures by Karin 1, 2 and 3. And also pictures by Ben and mypuffin



In Muang Saen:

Say Khong Guest House: Opposite the boat landing. Cold shower.

Muong Sene Guest House: *Go there for the huge wooden rooms with charm and the relative tranquility (rooster around)", notes passplanet.com.



On Mekong River from Don Khong to Don Det

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Leavinmg from Don Khong

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One of 4000 islands

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Car ferry to Don Khong

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Another of the 4000 islands...

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...and more of them

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French Bridge between Don Khon and Don Det, with mountains in Cambodia

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Arriving at Ban Nakasong



Don Det

See the locations on Don Det Google Map

Map of Don Det

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The French Pier on Don Det - the end of a railway, that started on Don Khon, to move goods from the lower side of the Mekong Falls to the upper side, because ships could not get trough.

Don Det can be quite full of backpackers you may have met before on Khao San Road in Bangkok. It's no longer the quiet spot you may be looking for. "The northern tip of Don Dhet - where the boats set down - has become very heavily developed towards backpacking tourism. Cafes, restaurants, pseudo-bars, tour and travel agents and (slooooooow) internet cafes", notes Stevie_Wes. But he adds, that it's relative here: "It is quiet. Super-relaxed. And not over-hustled or bustled by either touts or tourists. Yes ‘happy’ food stuffs and drinks and ‘buckets’ are available but not shoved down your throat." See a bike ride throigh Don Det on a video by iamgreg007

A guide for Don Det you find on travelfish.org


Where to stay on Don Det:

Billee's Guest House: See picture by fritz_da_kat


Cafe Don Det: Read about on passplanet.com


Cindy's Guesthouse: See picture by anlis


Hangdet Bungalow: Read about on passplanet.com


Little Eden: Good reviews on tripadvisor.com. Read how the Belgian Mathieu started the guesthouse and see pictures of Little Eden on Jenni & Michael's Blog


Mr. Mo Guest House:


Mr. Phao's Sunrise Bungalows: Read the review by Martin-Stefan in German.


Mr. Thos Bungalow: Read about on passplanet.com


King Kong Bungalows:

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King Kong Restaurant


Nouphit Guest House: See picture by fritz_da_kat


Paradise Guesthouse:


River Garden Guesthouse:

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Santiphab Guesthouse:


Souksan Guesthouse:

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Thawan Daeng Guesthouse:



Don Khon

See the locations on Don Khon Google Map


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Mekong sunset, seen from Salaphae.

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Sunset in Don Khon

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French colonial railway bridge between Don Khon and Don Det

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What's left of the French railway

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French school on Don Khon

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Chan Thouma Restaurant

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Wat Khon Tai

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Wat Khon Tai



Where to stay on Don Khon:

Bane Khone Guesthouse: Read about on passplanet.com


Mr. Bouaphanh Guesthouse: Two bungalows with shared bath on the river bank and more bungalows with private bathroom off the river. "One of the best budget locations", commemnts travelfish.org . Read about on passplanet.com. See a picture by Travels in Southern Lao


Kampheng Guesthouse: Wood and bamboo bungalow, no electricity, cold shower. See picture by Vix. Read review by TheSnowQueen


Mr. Bounh's Guesthouse: Read about on passplanet.com


Pakha Guesthouse: Read about on passplanet.com


Pan's Guesthouse: From 18 USD. Bungalows with river or garden view, at the riverfront, facing Don Det. Here you can book tours in and around Si Phan Don and rent bicycles or motorbikes and hire minivans and boats with drivers. Internet is available. See picture by Cecilia74 and planettreasures

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Sala Done Khone: From 22 USD. Spacious, nicely decorated rooms in an old teak house in French colonial style and three floating studios. All of the rooms have air-con plus private bath with hot showers. "The main building has been refurbished without interfering with its historic character", adds travelfish.org. Read more on passplanet.com. Good reviews on tripadvisor.com - except for one complaning about a house party all night long om opposite Don Det. Can arrange boat trips for Khonephapheng waterfall. Picture by June

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Salaphae: From 25 USD. "Outstanding" according to travelfish.org. Raft houses with solar heating and more rooms in French Residence and Ban Lao Residence. Salaphae has also a camping with bungalows on Khone Pa Soi - with waterfall view. See pictures by umdiewelt.de

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Outlook from the raft house

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Ban Lao Residence


Seng Ahloune Guesthouse: Fro, 34 USD. Wooden bungalows are raised on stilts, set around the garden and on the river front.

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See also picture by Uwe.


Somphamit Guesthouse: 10 USD. Six guestrooms in three wooden buildings on stilts with communal balconies. Simple fan rooms with mosquito net. Next door to Sala Dhone Khone. Go for one of the new bungalows, is the advise of travelfish.org. Read also review on passplanet.com

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Xaymontri Residence: From 09 USD. Good option off the river according to travelfish.org

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Khon Phapheng Falls

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How to arrive here: Take a boat to Ban Nakasong. (20 minutes from Don Khon, 5 minutes from Don Det). Take a Tuktuk to the falls, ask for at least two hours staying at the falls.



Somphamit Falls, also called Li Phi Falls

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Li Phi means "spirit trap" in local words. Many Lao people believe the falls catch ghosts and spirits. But there is also another explanation for the name: During the Indochina-war dead bodies were dumped in the Mekong and carried into the fish traps near the falls. This story was reported by The Nation


Si Phan Don by boat-tour:

Vat Phou Mekong Cruises:


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What's more funny?


Read more:
Trekking around Kiet Ngong and Phapho wetlands - in Xe Pian National Protected Area
Champasak, Vat Phou and Lingaparvata
Is there a Future for the Mekong Dolphins?
Don Sahon Dam project threatens Mekong Dolphins