The problem with potash: Thailand’s salt-encrusted fields

In Thailand's Isan region, local communities are opposing potash mining due to environmental concerns such as land and water salinisation. The China Mingda Potash Corporation and Thai Kali Company have faced resistance for their mining activities, with the only active mine in Dan Khun Thot causing significant environmental damage. Despite this, the Thai government is interested in potash mining to reduce fertilizer imports and support the electric vehicle industry with sodium-ion batteries developed by Khon Kaen University. The government's '30@30' vision aims for 30% of vehicles to be electric by 2030, potentially increasing demand for potash as a source of sodium.

The problem with potash: Thailand’s salt-encrusted fields

In Thailand's Isan region, local communities are opposing potash mining due to environmental concerns such as land and water salinisation. The China Mingda Potash Corporation and Thai Kali Company have faced resistance for their mining activities, which have led to soil degradation and water contamination. Despite the potential for potash to support Thailand's electric vehicle battery industry, experts and activists question the need for new mines and emphasize the importance of managing environmental impacts. The Thai government's '30@30' vision aims for 30% electric vehicles by 2030, potentially increasing demand for sodium used in batteries. However, the current rock salt mining is deemed sufficient for the battery industry's needs, and there are calls for a more responsible approach to resource management and pollution control.

Fermented Fish and the Mekong: A Tradition in Peril

The article discusses the decline of a traditional culinary practice in Thailand's northeast due to the construction of dams on the Mekong River. Fermented fish, once a staple and symbol of prosperity, is now a fading tradition as fish populations plummet, affecting the ecosystem and local livelihoods. Kankong Junlong, a resident of Ban Muang, shares her experience of how the dams have led to a decrease in fish, halting the production of fermented fish. The Pak Yam Community Economy Group, known for its fermented fish, has stopped production due to the scarcity of fish. The article highlights the broader implications of dam construction on food security, economic activities, and cultural practices. It also touches on the community's efforts to adapt, such as purchasing farm-raised fish to continue the tradition of fermented fish production.

The problem with potash: Thailand’s salt-encrusted fields

Thanawan Kainok and local communities in north-east Thailand are opposing potash mining due to severe environmental impacts, including land salinisation and water contamination. The China Mingda Potash Corporation and Thai Kali Company face strong resistance from groups like the Wanon Niwat Preservation Group and the Dan Khun Thot District Preservation Group. Despite the Thai government's push for potash mining to reduce fertiliser imports and support the development of sodium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, experts argue that current rock salt supplies are sufficient. The debate highlights the tension between economic development and environmental sustainability.

The kouprey: on the trail of Cambodia’s elusive wild cattle

The kouprey, Cambodia's national mammal, has not been definitively sighted for over half a century and is considered 'most likely to be extinct' by the IUCN. Researchers from re:Wild and the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research are conducting a study to identify potential kouprey habitats. The kouprey, a symbol of Cambodian culture, faces threats from hunting and snaring, which also endanger other wild cattle species in Indochina. Conservationists argue that declaring the kouprey extinct could galvanize efforts to protect other endangered species in the region.