Mekong development zones report / Philippines former president legacy / Thailand street lamp controversy

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Mekong Development Zones Facilitating Illicit Activities: Report.  “The [new report from C4ADS, a U.S.-based research organization], which analyzes 110 economic development zones (EDZs) in the five lower Mekong nations – Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar – found that while these zones have stoked economic growth, corruption, opacity, and weak regulatory frameworks have undermined their benefits.”

Sebastian Strangio/The Diplomat: https://thediplomat.com/2021/06/mekong-development-zones-facilitating-illicit-activities-report/    

 

How Noynoy Aquino delivered on 5 major promises (Opinion).  “Aquino’s ‘social contract with the people’ covered corruption, infrastructure, economy, poverty, education…Aquino served as the Philippines’ 15th president, from June 2010 to June 2016. He died on Thursday, June 24, at the age of 61.”

Pauline Macaraeg/Rappler: https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/noynoy-aquino-delivered-major-promises-accomplishments-as-president  

 

Tambon freezes plan to buy more controversial street lights.  “The Tambon Administration Organisation (TAO) in Racha Thewa…decided to defer a plan to buy more controversial solar-powered street lamps until the project is cleared by state investigations...[It] was accused of buying unnecessary street lamps with overpriced tags and from one company.”

Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2137299/tambon-freezes-plan-to-buy-more-controversial-street-lights

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