The Department of Groundwater Resources (DGR), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), organised the “1st Thailand International Groundwater Symposium: Key to Water Security and Sustainability” on 22-24 August 2022 in Bangkok and a study trip to Kanchanaburi Province on 25-26 August 2022. With the aim of collaborating by sharing knowledge, experience and research findings about innovations and technology on groundwater issues, the event drew more than 400 academics and experts from more than 20 countries around the world. Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, MNRE Minister, presided over the opening ceremony and gave a welcome speech.
Dr. Young Joo Lee, Director of the Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programmes commented on the conference, saying: “The 1st Thailand International Groundwater Symposium is a ground-breaking event that affirms the Department of Groundwater Resources’s stance to engage the public to gain awareness of groundwater and associated issues.”
Honourable guest Dr. Peter Dillon, Groundwater Recharge Expert from Australia, shared perspectives relating to groundwater, saying: “Groundwater recharge is discerned as an immediately necessary approach to take for the near future, in particular in Thailand where the drought season looms. Recognised as water stability support, the method aims to increase water capacity for farmers and communities. However, groundwater recharge must proceed with extreme caution and safety measures.”
Mr. Péter Kovács, Head of River Basin Management and Water Protection Department of Hungary’s Ministry of Interior, added, “In sustaining groundwater for younger generations, groundwater quality and quantity are the priority to establish sustainable groundwater management.”
Dr. Jim LaMoreaux, Chairman, PELA GeoEnvironmental, IAH US National Chapter, stated that, “At the current stage, while Thailand’s groundwater is at a moderate level, cautious management must be undertaken and the groundwater crisis should be closely monitored to gauge the reserves in relation to available supply.”
Attendees at the Thailand International Groundwater Symposium were served bottles of groundwater, making the connection to good life quality, safety
and exceptional health and hygiene. Prof. Dr. Makoto Taniguchi, Deputy Director-General, Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, Japan, said, “Drinking groundwater helps improve public living conditions and creates more awareness of groundwater issues. The groundwater in these bottles has been produced according to the highest standards and quality control.”
Mr. Sachin D. Shah, Chief, Hydrologic Studies and Research, U.S. Geological Survey, commended the Department of Groundwater Resources for highlighting the significance of groundwater for the public and its benefits in relation to agriculture and public consumption.
The 1st Thailand International Groundwater Symposium: Key to Water Security and Sustainability is an international academic conference on groundwater hosted in Thailand for the first time. It is billed as a good opportunity to welcome interested parties, from academics to international honourable guests, and open perspectives.
The conference envisions groundwater as an enhancement to driving the quality of life.
Dr. Hans Dencker Thulstrup, Senior Programme Specialist, UNESCO Jakarta, stated, “Groundwater plays a vital role in mitigating impacts while supporting transitional processes for battling climate change.”
Mr. Steven Johnson, General Manager, SkyTEM Australia, said, “Groundwater is poised as an essential development and it is important to share information among fellow experts to enable comprehensive insights into groundwater in the region.”
The Symposium is hosted alongside a site survey trip for foreign experts to study groundwater systems operated under the royal project at Huai Krachao Sub-district, Huai Krachao District in Kanchanaburi Province. The royal initiative was commended by the visitors, including its international groundwater management team and its exponential development over the past 3-4 years.
Mr. Torben Bach, Department Manager and State Geologist, GEUS, Denmark mentioned during the survey, “I am delighted to participate in this on-site observation trip and witness the impressive efforts of the Department of Groundwater Resources to progressively develop such a large resource as part of the royal project. Denmark has enabled 100 percent groundwater use as a resource for public consumption and agriculture. Good groundwater management is affirmed as a key component of our preparations for the future.”
Mr. Roelof Sturrman, Water Specialist, Deltares, Netherlands, suggested that, “Acknowledgement of the amount of groundwater returned to the system
and nature of groundwater is essential. Studies of groundwater pumping volumes in each area are required to proceed sustainably. Control of groundwater usage is another necessary process to prevent contamination of groundwater levels.”
The acclaim of the international experts testifies to the achievement of the conference hosted by the Department of Groundwater Resources (DGR), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), as a worthwhile platform for knowledge exchange and showing how Thailand’s groundwater system management is on par with global standards.
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