Transborder News: On March 14, 2025, communities along the Salween River, in Sob Moei District, Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand, and in Karen State, Myanmar, gathered to protest against dam construction and advocate for participatory river conservation. The event, held in observance of the International Day of Action for Rivers, drew over 300 participants from the Salween and other river basins including the Mekong.
The ceremony commenced with a candle-lighting ritual to symbolize prayers for the protection of the river. Representatives from various sectors then shared their perspectives on the significance of preserving the Salween. The event also featured a boat campaign against dams and a protest march, where villagers carried banners with messages such as “No Dams for Life” and “Salween for Peace.”
Bue Mue Paw, a representative from the Salween Peace Park, emphasized the unity among the Karen people on both sides of the river, stating that their gathering was a demonstration to the world of their presence and resilience. “We hope that outsiders will respect the value of our communities instead of exploiting our resources, which would cause immense harm. That is why we must stand together to protect our land,” she said.
She further stressed the need for continued local stewardship, saying, “It is not too late for villagers to safeguard the river. We are not just fighting for today but for future generations, so that they will have fish to eat and forests to sustain wildlife. Our ancestors taught us traditional ways of living, which have been eroded by religious influences. Regardless of one’s beliefs, everyone should respect these ancestral traditions.”
Ywa Paw Mu, head of forestry in Myanmar’s Mutraw District (Karen State), reaffirmed their opposition to the dams, arguing that they would destroy the river and displace communities. “That is why we are here today—to take a stand and ensure that no dams are built on our land.”
Pai Deetes, a representative from International Rivers, recalled how, 17 years ago, a similar movement by local villagers urged Thailand’s Electricity Generating Authority (EGAT) to halt its Hat Gyi dam project on the Salween. “If that resistance had not happened, the very place we are standing in today would have been submerged under a reservoir. Because of that action, and we continue over decades, the Salween River still flows freely.”
Hannarong Yaowalert, a Thai environmental activist, pointed out that past dam projects in Thailand had already caused significant harm to communities. “This time, we see people taking a stand before the dam is even built. Once a dam is constructed, no one will come to help the displaced villagers. The Salween, as an international river, would be even harder to protect.”
He criticized the single-purpose nature of the Salween dam project. “Most dams serve multiple purposes, such as power generation, irrigation, and water management. The Salween dams are designed for electricity production, despite the availability of alternative energy sources for the country and the region. No government should see dams as the only option for power generation. Just energy transition is happening everywhere.”
During the event, Karen indigenous villagers sang their national anthem, which speaks of protecting their land at all costs. This year’s gathering marked a historic moment, as it was the first time in nearly three decades that the Salween River was free of Myanmar military bases. The Karen National Union (KNU) had successfully pushed Myanmar’s military out of the area.
On the evening of March 13, a public forum was held in Sob Moei Village, where experts from Thailand and Myanmar discussed the state of the Salween River. Chai Pongpipat Meebenjamart, the mayor of Mae Sam Lab Subdistrict, highlighted the river’s role as a lifeline connecting people from Tibet to Shan, Karenni, Karen, and Mon states. “This is not just a river flowing to the sea—it is a way of life for the people who depend on its seasonal flows. Human-engineered projects disrupt this critical balance.”
He further stated, “If local communities lack security in their own lives, how can national security be ensured? We must support communities in protecting their environment. They rely on the river for food security, trade, and agriculture. The government should not suppress their efforts to preserve their way of life.”
Hsa Moo, another representative of the Salween Peace Park, called for the continued protection of natural resources on both the Thai and Karen sides. “We must fight to prevent the destruction of the Salween. I was born in this river basin and love it deeply. Many others feel the same and refuse to let it be destroyed.”
Niwat Roykaew, a leading Mekong River conservationist from Chiang Khong, compared the struggles of the Mekong and Salween rivers. “Both are treated as nothing more than hydropower sources. The Mekong has suffered extensive damage over the years. If it were a house, it would be on the verge of collapse. If it were a person, it would be near death.”
He urged the Salween communities not to back down. “Do not let them build the dam. The Mekong communities are still fighting, even after suffering great losses. This generation must resist, and the next must continue. We must build networks, knowledge, and train the youth. Fight today for the future.”
This is a translation of original Thai article, https://transbordernews.in.th/home/?p=41706
