Thailand/Laos: Hydropower project has downside.

Section: General News - When entrepreneur Uncle Mee introduced an overnight boat service on the Mekong River from Luang Prabang in Laos to Chiang Khong district in Chiang Rai and the neighbouring Lao province of Sayabouri, he thought he was on to a winner, the Bangkok Post reports.

The business proved popular with tourists who wanted to enjoy the natural beauty of the mighty Mekong which provides food for more than 60 million people in countries shared by the river.

But Uncle Mee's smiling face turned to a grimace when he was asked what his business would be like after the Sayabouri dam is built.

"I don't know whether I can continue my business as usual," said the Lao man, who is one of 300 boat trip operators in the former Lao capital.

"As far as I know, the dam's sluice gates …