Lower Mekong countries fail to reach decision on $3.5 bln dam

BANGKOK, April 19 | Tue Apr 19, 2011

BANGKOK, April 19 (Reuters) - Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam failed on Tuesday to agree on whether Laos should proceed with a controversial $3.5 billion Mekong River dam project, a decision they said should be handled at ministerial level.

The four lower Mekong countries were unable to find a common conclusion a meeting in the Lao capital Vientiane. There was "still a difference in views" between them over the project, the Mekong River Commission, of which the four countries are members, said in a statement. (Reporting by Martin Petty; Editing by Jason Szep)