Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recently rolled up his sleeves and took a deep dive into the nation’s water management efforts at the Cheeklang Operation and Maintenance Project in tambon Phra That, nestled within the scenic backdrop of Chiang Khwan district in Roi Et province. The visit, which took place in March, underscored the government’s commitment to bolstering water security across Thailand. In a bid to fortify the nation’s H2O defenses, Srettha unveiled a sweeping three-year plan with an eye-watering half-trillion-baht price tag!
At a crucial meeting convened at the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) on Monday, Prime Minister Srettha voiced his deep concern for the country’s water security. He fervently urged all pertinent agencies to mobilize and whip up an effective, ironclad water management strategy sooner rather than later.
“A significant slice of the state’s annual budget is routinely funneled towards assisting and compensating flood victims,” Srettha noted. He also highlighted the pressing need to ramp up water security, particularly given the government’s recent green-lighting of foreign investments in water-intensive industries. Clearly, ensuring a stable water supply has never been more poignant.
The Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) is now in the driver’s seat, tasked with drafting a robust three-year water management blueprint. Expected to make waves in the cabinet by August, this plan is designed to shore up the nation’s water defenses decisively.
Srettha went on to issue a clarion call to ONWR, the RID, and the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA). Their mission? To keep a hawk-eyed vigil on flood risks as the rainy season looms, and to craft a meticulous disaster mitigation strategy targeting flood-prone regions.
Brace yourselves for some staggering numbers: this colossal plan is poised to siphon off 548.4 billion baht over the next three years. But it’s not all about the spending—4.5 million households will soon find themselves with access to clean, life-sustaining water. Additionally, 12 out of the 22 million rai of currently parched, non-irrigated land will be connected to irrigation channels, significantly bolstering the country’s drought-resilience.
Moreover, the initiative promises to inflate the nation’s water reserves to a substantial 4.7 billion cubic meters. Of this, about 1.9 billion cubic meters will be neatly tucked away in new water retention zones.
To bring this ambitious vision to life, the plan encompasses a smorgasbord of projects. Think new dams, rejuvenated irrigation channels in rural areas, revitalized watershed regions, and sparkling new water retention zones. Srettha gave his word to the public: “There will not be a repeat of the catastrophic 2011 floods. Our comprehensive water resources management plan is built to withstand natural calamities.”
Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow echoed this sentiment, aligning the new plan with the previous administration’s 20-year water management framework. “We’re shooting for tangible results within our term,” he declared, emphasizing the importance of public appreciation for the government’s bolstered water management prowess. Budget constraints do loom, however, and some projects will roll out under a public-private partnership (PPP) model to ensure they see the light of day.
So, here’s to a future where every drop of rain and every meandering river is meticulously managed, and Thailand sails smoothly through both flood and drought alike!
Wow! A half-trillion baht just for water management? Seems like overkill to me.
Are you kidding? We need water security more than ever. Look at all the recent floods and droughts!
Sure, but couldn’t they do it for less money? This seems bloated.
Actually, considering the dry spell and flash floods Thailand has seen, I’d argue 548 billion baht is a bargain.
It’s just another political stunt. There will be no follow-through.
How can you say that? The detailed plan shows they’ve thought this through.
Plans are one thing, execution is another. Government has a poor track record on big promises.
At least it’s a step in the right direction. Better than doing nothing.
What about the environmental impact of building all these new dams and infrastructure?
Good point. Large-scale projects can disrupt ecosystems. Has anyone seen an EIA for this plan?
Exactly, and knowing our government, they’ll probably cut corners.
I read somewhere that they plan to release the EIA soon. Let’s wait and see.
I hope this means no more drought for my family’s farm. We’ve been struggling for years.
As much as we need water management, this should’ve been done years ago.
Better late than never, right? At least they’re finally addressing it.
True, but the delays have cost us so much already.
What does this mean for agriculture though? Will we get prioritized in the water distribution?
Thamanat Prompow mentioned agriculture specifically. I’d hope so!
Let’s hope they keep their word. We can’t afford more water cuts.
While I’m glad for better water management, I’m worried about the natural habitats that will be disrupted.
A public-private partnership model? That sounds like a recipe for disaster.
This is a good plan but it’s too expensive. How are they planning to raise the funds?
Probably through more taxes and borrowing. We might end up paying for this indirectly.
If it improves water security, maybe the cost is justified.
4.5 million households getting water sounds great on paper. Will it actually happen though?
Skepticism is healthy, but we should give them a chance to prove it will work.
I’ve always been suspicious of big government spending projects. Too many hands in the cookie jar.
The 2011 flood was a nightmare. If this plan can prevent a repeat, it’s worth every baht.
Remember, those floods displaced thousands. Prevention measures are crucial.
Indeed, but they need transparency in how they allocate resources.
Investing in flood mitigation is smart. The cost of inaction would be even higher.
Agreed. Paying a bit more now could save us a lot in disaster recovery later.
Really hope this improves life in rural areas. They often get the short end of the stick.
Rural development needs more focus. This could be a game-changer if executed well.