Govt to invest B150bn in water management

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Govt to invest B150bn in water management

Published: 30/01/2012 at 03:57 AM
Newspaper section: News

Thailand will invest at least 150 billion baht in water management infrastructure programmes over the next 12 months, deputy premier Kittiratt Na-Ranong says.

Fast tracking
Rice farmers spray fertiliser in their paddy fields in Wang Noi district of Ayutthaya province yesterday to speed up their harvest and avoid possible flooding this year. THITIWANNAMONTHA

Mr Kittiratt, speaking yesterday following his return from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, said a total of more than 350 billion baht would be invested in water management programmes.

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: Writer: Wichit Chantanusornsiri; Position: Business Reporter

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spiceman
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Discussion 12 : 31/01/2012 at 08:54 AM12
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Khun JohninBKK #11, according to Director Bun-in Chuanchavalid, of Bhumibol Dam, the dam was built primarily for irrigational & flood prevention purpose. Power generation was secondary, and in his own words, "why waste water when you can use it to spin turbines to make electricity?"

If the water was kept within the "Safe Zone" the year before, and flooding still occurred, are you surprised that when the water was kept above the zone, last year, and what should be a normal seasonal flooding became an unprecedented catastrophe? It is Logic-101, isn't it?
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johninbkk
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Discussion 11 : 30/01/2012 at 06:42 PM11
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spiceman D10 - "Besides, how hard is it to keep the water level within the "Safe Zone" through out the year as it's supposed to be?"
If it's a year of drought, Thailands crops suffer massive damage and Bangkok suffers power shortages. The dams weren't built for just flood control. Flooding happens every single year, including last year when dams were well within the 'safe zone'. Like everything else, the central government (and news) only cares when flooding threatens Bangkok.
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spiceman
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Discussion 10 : 30/01/2012 at 06:26 PM10
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The country already invested enormous amount of money to build an extensive system of dams, just to prevent recurring flooding. So, why don't we just continue to utilize it as it was original designed for after more than 40 years? And, unless we plan to screw it up again, massive additional prevention program won't be necessary. Besides, how hard is it to keep the water level within the "Safe Zone" through out the year as it's supposed to be?
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johninbkk
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Discussion 9 : 30/01/2012 at 03:23 PM9
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Flooding preparations need to be done ASAP, as damage caused by delayed preparations could be more expensive then loses occurred from hasty and inefficient preparations. It is a good idea for others to review the decrees to avoid mistakes and corruption, but I'm under the impression that the Dems simply want to criticize and oppose - not actually offer any positive ideas or suggestions. The Dems did absolutely nothing after the damaging 2010 floods in which 200 people died, so their record is hardly impressive.
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dao
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Discussion 8 : 30/01/2012 at 03:09 PM8
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Agree with Spiceman .Replanting forests would benefit us in so many ways but it isnt quick and convenient .It takes time .Longer than a election term for sure .
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ianprince
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Discussion 7 : 30/01/2012 at 02:51 PM7
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150 billion is better as cash freebies to poor people who can;t affort food on their table.
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spiceman
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Discussion 6 : 30/01/2012 at 11:20 AM6
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The only solution for the problem is to take the pressure off our dam system, by beginning to restore our rain forests to their pristine condition, to soak up, hold, and gradually releasing the water into the dam system. Right now, any attempt to marginally increase our capacity to capture and hold monsoon rainwater, only risks another calamity. And until then, we must learn to live with the limited amount of rainwater captured by the dams each year. Restoring our forests will not take a lot of money, but will take a long time, and strong self-discipline on the part of our brothers and sisters in the North and E-San, not to turn it into furnitures again.
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med142
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Discussion 5 : 30/01/2012 at 11:13 AM5
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What is needid is a coherent plan. But how much of this money will really go towards these projects? How much will go into the pockets of people? every penny needs to be accounted for. So no expenses funds for people etc. Rivers and waterways need to be dredged.What is also needid is an underground system which can come into operation when flooding is immanent. why is the committees seem to be made up of the elderly? What is needid is fresh blood.As the government is promoting jobs and posts for english speaking people maybe they should set a presidence by employing some, better still if they are native speakers such as farangs.Maybe also less chance of corruption.
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bula
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Discussion 4 : 30/01/2012 at 10:49 AM4
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The DEM - opposition party, is doing their job. OPPOSITION.
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dao
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Discussion 3 : 30/01/2012 at 10:24 AM3
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If the flood plan was sensible it wouldn't have to sneaked through with an emergency decree.That is why we have an opposition to look at wasteful spending that doesn't benefit anyone but the spender .Government insurance is also a waste of money .It doesnt help manufacturers at all .They dont base their plans to rebuild after the flood on what the current passing government makes in shallow promises .They wont invest unless they can get real insurance and that wont happen unless real water management is put in place .Using an emergency decree to pass this is an alarm bell that money is about to be wasted big time .
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