Good afternoon,

An EGAT geologist has been killed after an attack in Burma, leading to the postponement of the plan to build a dam on the Salween River (http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=121362). This is the second man to have been killed after another stepped on a landmine some time ago. There are other reasons to be grateful the project may be at least temporarily halted: first, building will be used as a pretext by the Burmese junta for the forcible resettlement of large numbers of Karen people and other ethnic minorities. Second, the environmental impact of the dam is not clear and, especially given the very large scale of the projected project, likely to be considerable.

A fire at the Mandarin Hotel has caused 16 guests to become hurt by inhaling smoke (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/09/05/headlines/headlines_30047798.php). The fire is now apparently under control. Hundreds of guests had to be rescued by firefighters and there are reports that the sprinkler system did not work properly.

The government of Laos has been defending its actions with respect to the Hmong refugees who are being repatriated across the Thai border (http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=121370). A Lao military spokesperson claimed: “''It is a matter of making an arrangement between Thai and Laos authorities. No one else should intervene,'' he said. ''Neither country is a signatory to the refugee convention, but we have taken into account humanitarian concerns and therefore they should respect our sovereignty.”

Back tomorrow.

Happy Birthday, Mrs. W!