http://www.voanews.com Voice of America is an international news and broadcast organization serving Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Russia, the Middle East and Balkan countries http://www.voanews.com/img/voa/rssLogo_VOA.gif http://www.voanews.com en-US 2012 - VOA 60 Thu, 23 May 2013 13:16:35 -0400 Pangea CMS – VOA Resource experts say many Asian countries face a potential water crisis unless they address mismanagement that could lead to severe shortages of clean water. Other states struggle to contain massive floods. The site of a just-concluded regional summit on the managing water supplies and disasters. There was no sign of a water shortage here in northern Thailand as delegates gathered for the Asia-Pacific Water summit. But inside, there was talk about an impending crisis facing Asia. For the ... http://www.voanews.com/content/asian-water-summit-focuses-on-security-disaster/1666123.html http://www.voanews.com/content/asian-water-summit-focuses-on-security-disaster/1666123.html Wed, 22 May 2013 11:22:34 -0400 Asia Steve Sandford As Asia’s newest tourist hotspot, Burma is experiencing a surge in foreigners eager to visit places that were closed-off for decades. But the spike in tourists and growth of new industries are taking an environmental toll. Rapid development is straining an already damaged ecosystem in Burma’s scenic Inle Lake. Inle Lake is considered a jewel of Burma, where migrating birds, rare animal species and a handful of Burmese tribes share space around the 110 square kilometer freshwater reservoir. ... http://www.voanews.com/content/tourism-development-threaten-burmese-lake/1646863.html http://www.voanews.com/content/tourism-development-threaten-burmese-lake/1646863.html Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:30:31 -0400 Asia Steve Sandford China's rapid economic expansion in Southeast Asia has led to increasing reliance on the Mekong River for trade. Dams and new ports are expected to help trade in the coming years, but not everyone is welcoming the development. The Mekong River since ancient times has served as a major transport route. Now, with modern ships and new ports, the river is becoming a key part of China’s rapid economic expansion.   Since 2004, annual cargo volumes have tripled between Thai and Chinese ... http://www.voanews.com/content/on-mekong-river-worries-about-surging-trade-with-china/1583759.html http://www.voanews.com/content/on-mekong-river-worries-about-surging-trade-with-china/1583759.html Mon, 14 Jan 2013 16:50:34 -0500 Asia Steve Sandford http://www.voanews.com/content/on-mekong-river-worries-about-surging-trade-with-china/1583759.html#relatedInfoContainer Thailand has long been recognized as a leading exporter of rice and other agricultural produce. But tests for pesticide residues are raising concerns about whether the food is safe.   Here, in the hills of Northern Thailand, farm workers like Inson face the constant pressure of producing optimum harvests for overseas clients. Many farms rely on imported chemical pesticides and fertilizers to help meet demand. But, although the chemicals are readily available, many workers are not ... http://www.voanews.com/content/pesticides-threaten-thailands-reputation-as-food-exporter/1519985.html http://www.voanews.com/content/pesticides-threaten-thailands-reputation-as-food-exporter/1519985.html Wed, 03 Oct 2012 20:22:14 -0400 Asia Steve Sandford Millions of Burmese migrant workers have long sought economic opportunity abroad, but their life in exile frequently means working outside the law, in risky or dangerous jobs. In Thailand there are more than a million registered Burmese migrant workers. The number of unregistered is even greater, and many of them work jobs that Thai laborers are often unwilling to do.   Working without proper documentation can often lead to arrest and deportation. But many, like Ta Jandee, say they ... http://www.voanews.com/content/thailand-burma-migrant-workers/1505166.html http://www.voanews.com/content/thailand-burma-migrant-workers/1505166.html Mon, 10 Sep 2012 14:12:16 -0400 Asia Steve Sandford http://www.voanews.com/content/thailand-burma-migrant-workers/1505166.html#relatedInfoContainer