Community Situation: Changes in Fishing as the Primary Occupation Due to Dam Construction
Ban Pak Ing Tai is a small community with 74 households located where the Ing River meets the Mekong River. The community has experienced periodic flooding for over 40 years. It has minimal land, with only about 24 rai, and only two families own land for agriculture. Consequently, the primary occupation here is fishing in the Ing and Mekong rivers, with community members depending on the rivers for their livelihood.
Before 1977, fish were primarily bartered for rice with nearby farming communities. However, as fish became valuable, they began selling fish for income to buy rice. Residents also cultivate vegetables along the rivers, growing chili, eggplant, pumpkin, corn, beans, and more.
Fishing has been the main livelihood and income source, with each family owning a fishing boat, totaling 74 boats. Now, fewer than 20 boats remain. The fishing occupation has noticeably declined, along with the diversity of fish species—from over 100 species before the construction of Chinese dams to fewer than 30 species today. This reduction is primarily due to ecosystem changes in the Mekong River caused by dam construction in China, affecting smaller ecosystems like sandbars and deep pools. The unnatural water flow and sediment buildup in the Mekong overflow into the Ing River, disrupting local fishing practices and sub-ecological systems.
Another factor affecting fish habitats is the state’s embankment construction to prevent bank erosion along the Mekong, which has led to a loss of fish habitats. Additionally, younger generations do not pursue fishing due to its unstable income.
The community is also impacted by the impending construction of a water gate on the Ing River, and there is growing concern about potential effects from the Pak Beng Dam. Community members are anxious due to a lack of precise information on expected backflow levels, possible flooding along the Ing and Mekong rivers, potential relocation of households, and relocation sites.
In sum, there is concern about overlapping development impacts from Chinese dams, the Ing River water gate, and the new Pak Beng Dam, which cumulatively affect the ecosystem and the villagers’ fishing livelihoods.

Community Solutions: Self-Sufficiency and Resilience
Villagers propose adapting to these changes through self-reliance, as the shift away from fishing has drastically reduced monthly income, which used to be over 10,000 baht. In response, villagers are exploring supplementary jobs, such as day labor, and maximizing fish product value by promoting their unique fishing culture, such as fermented fish (pla ra) and sour fish (pla som) from the Mekong.
They are also establishing conservation zones in the Ing River to increase fish populations and sell fingerlings. However, these efforts might not be sustainable given the volatile Mekong ecosystem and the dwindling fish populations. Therefore, acquiring new knowledge, such as developing alternative products and utilizing modern marketing channels like online sales, is essential for their future.
Policy Recommendations for Mekong River Management
- Halt further dam construction on the Mekong River. The villagers have already endured significant impacts from the Chinese dams, which have proven to be highly disruptive to their lives and the river’s ecological balance. These changes have adversely affected both their fishing livelihoods and the ecosystem on which they depend. Consequently, they strongly urge that all planned dam projects be halted and that the government carefully consider their concerns and the existing issues resulting from current dams.
- In cases where dam construction cannot be stopped (e.g., Pak Beng Dam), relevant parties must provide clear information on dam impacts, including backflow levels and expected flooding areas along the Mekong and Ing rivers.
- Any rehabilitation fund should clearly designate a responsible managing agency, provide a detailed access process, and establish transparent complaint mechanisms for effective implementation.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kanokwan is Director of the Mekong Sub-Region Social Research Center at Ubon Ratchathani University
Asst. Prof. Dr. Apisom is a lecturer at School of Management, Mae Fah Luang University and a project lead of the Mekong Academic Consortium