Looks like its time to turn our attention again to the Salween River. Early this past December the Thai government finally signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the SPDC for the development of a series of hydropower dams on the Salween river. The Salween Watch site has all the dirt on the issue. S.H.A.N. has also published a great report on the public health ramifications of the proposed dams.

As one might expect, the dams will lead to massive displacement and loss of livelihood for locals in Shan and Karen States, as well as environmental destruction. Combined with the recent MoU Thailand signed to develop 17.5 million acres under a contract farming system in Shan State, one has to seriously question the current Thai administration's motivations and/or intelligence. It seems the dams are being built not only to produce electricity, which will be sent to Thailand, but are also intended to divert water to the Chao Praya basin, to be used in industrial operations in Thailand.

In Thailand, there had been some discontent in the drought ridden eastern provinces over the amount of water that has been allocated to industrial factories. Seems Thaksin is pre-empting this potential problem elsewhere by taking water from Burma. As always, they have justified this project by saying that it will bring revenue to Burma. Well, the Prime Minister would have to be stupid not to know what the government of Burma is spending its money on. He has to be seriously short-sighted to think that the temporary gain he'll get by raping Burma's land is greater than the long-term difficulties he'll face with a despotic neighbor with increasing funds to spend on militarization. Not to mention the continued difficulties of refugees spilling into Thailand to escape the destruction of their lives and livelihood.

But, given Thaksin's penchant for mega-projects in his own country, often at the expense of ethnic minorities and rural villagers, its not too difficult to understand why he's so willing to undertake these projects in Burma. Money comes first, and negative impacts shall be glossed over in a public relations campaign. That is, if they ever make it into the press.

Incidentally, Burma has recently accused Thailand of supporting Burmese rebels. Namely, the All Burma Students Democratic Front and the Karenni National Progressive Party. The junta has labeled the KNPP as 'terrorists' and claims they are stockpiling weapons on the Thai side. The junta regularly likes to accuse Thailand of supporting rebels, and it seems that perhaps it is becoming a little trick to test Thailand's commitment to its engagement with Burma. The previous Thai administration supported the Burmese opposition and exiles while shunning the junta. The current administration has been known for cracking down on political activists from Burma. They have, however, recently supported education initiatives for Burmese refugees - although I am currently unaware of the details.

The allegations were dismissed, however, on the Thai side. The SPDC would do well to remember that they need Thailand a lot more than Thailand needs them. They should both just admit that all they want is money, and do away with the pretenses of playing politics.