Public lecture and discussion of crucial developmental, environmental and security issues raised by current construction plans for numerous dams on the lower Mekong River and its tributaries.  The lecture will be given by Dr. Richard Cronin of the Washington D.C.-based Stimson Center. Dr. Cronin has published numerous articles on the issue and his analysis helped form the basis for the U.S. Lower Mekong Initiative announced by Secretary Clinton during her 2009 visit to Bangkok.

Following the lecture, a panel with representatives from academia and the private sector will discuss the numerous issues raised by the hydrological dam construction plans.  The audience will also have ample time to pose questions to Dr. Cronin and to the panelists.

The event will be held from 8:30 am through noon on Wednesday, 11 August. The venue will be the Chumbhot-Pantip Conference Room on the fourth floor of the Prajadhipok-Rambhaibarni Building, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University. The proceedings will be in English.

This discussion should prove interesting as it will delve into an increasingly controversial subject, the consequences to the region of large scale construction plans which have to date been essentially uncoordinated among its several nations. I hope you will be able to join us. For further information, please contact us at 02 218 7430, or use the enclosed reply form to confirm your attendance.