Energy deal 'must be deferred'

This photograph taken in early December 2019 shows a stretch of the Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom. The river’s reddish-brown hue turned bright blue in some parts as the result of a marked loss of suspended sediments in its current. (Photo: Pattanapong Sripiachai)

The House committee on foreign affairs is calling for the deferment of an electricity trading agreement with two new hydropower dams in Laos with links to a local firm after reviewing the cross-border impact.

The decision to call for the postponement was made at a meeting to review a petition filed by the Network of Thai Mekong People -- a civil group active in eight provinces, asking for an inspection of the Pak Beng and Sanakham dams on the Lao side of the river over cross-border environmental concerns.