Lignite power plant joint venture in Laos Supamart Kasem Two Thai-Lao joint venture firms are to build a lignite-fired power plant in a Lao district opposite Nan province. The Hongsa lignite power plant is a joint investment by Thai-Lao Co and Thai-Lao Power Co. The two entered into a deal with the Lao government to survey lignite deposits and build the 40-billion-baht power plant in Hongsa district in Xayaboury province, about 30km from Nan. The survey is 80% complete. Construction of the power plant will be completed by 2014. A source on the National Economic and Social Development Board said the project follows an agreement Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai signed with the Lao government last May, under which Thailand will purchase 3,000 megawatts of electricity from Laos. The source said the power plant would be an alternative source of power for Thailand since two coal-fired power plants at Bor Nok and Hin Krut districts of Prachuap Khiri Khan had been delayed by protests from locals. Thada Sathianreuk, chairman of the Nan Chamber of Commerce, said the plant would support industrial development along the Thai-Lao border under the Economic Quadrangle Project. **** Albright ignoredSoutheast Asia Why waste space on Ma "Dame" Albright quoting her take on a Burmese meeting. She cared less for the past years about what took place in Southeast Asia, let alone her wild rhetoric on Burma. She is oh so concerned for the Balkans. Just yesterday she pleaded with the press that she was very emphatic with the new Secretary of State Powell on holding the line in the Balkans. Since she was not invited to serve in the new administration, she is very testy lately. Her voice on the Middle East and the Balkans is a daily cry. I ask what about Laos? What about Burma? Where have you been, Madame? Just go quietly. Write you memoirs. Take a job as a professor and give us a break! At least we have an experienced hand coming in. Secretary Powell served in the Southeast Asia arena and as a chief of staff. Thais will be happy when those visas get a lot quicker. _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki Phone +358-40-7177941 Fax +358-9-7591081 http://www.kominf.pp.fi General class struggle news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe mails to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Geopolitical news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________
