The Thai government on Tuesday supported Vientiane's decision to begin immediate construction of the controversial Xayaburi hydropower dam on the lower Mekong River - which downstream communities and environmentalists have strongly opposed.
''The Thai government is not opposed to the project,'' said Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichachaikul, speaking at the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Meeting in Vientiane, Laos.
''The Lao government has already conducted studies that show there would be no impact on the environment and fisheries,'' Mr Surapong said.
Laos will hold a ground-breaking ceremony on Wednesday in Xayaburi province to mark the start of riverbed construction on the 120-billion-baht project.
