Urgent Issue of Investment in Sustainable Water Management

(11/01/2012)

The Government deems it necessary to issue an executive decree empowering the Ministry of Finance to secure loans for use to invest in water management for Thailand’s development in the future. Government Spokesperson Titima Chaisang cited sustainable water management as an urgent issue to restore confidence in the production sector and enhance the country’s competitiveness. The long-term water management program is expected to require 350 billion baht in investment. The Government Spokesperson said that the project must be carried out immediately in order to reduce the risk and negative impact of disasters. She said that the flood crisis in Thailand in 2011 was the worst in its recent history, and it caused huge damage to the economic and social assets of the country. Transportation infrastructure and the tourism industry have also been adversely affected. The Government, therefore, needs to invest in restoration and rehabilitation to rebuild confidence in Thailand and cope with the problem in the long run. According to the Government Spokesperson, among the projects to be carried under the water management program are reforestation and construction of weirs to conserve watershed areas along the Ping, Wang, Yom, Nan, Sakae Krang, Tha Chin, and Pa Sak rivers. Other projects include the building of embankments along rivers, the installation of water drainage systems in communities and commercial and industrial zones, and the construction of a floodway system, or flood diversions channels. Concerning flood prevention, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong, said that both short-term and long-term plans must be implemented, encompassing methods of the entire water management system. Mr. Kittiratt, who is also a member of the Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management, stated that the plans should be launched in January 2012, prior to the next rainy season, which usually begins in May. He estimated that the flood damage to the economy in 2011 might reach 1.4 trillion baht. Many other countries were also affected, since Thailand is regarded as a major link in the trade, production, and export chain in this region. Mr. Kittiratt believed that Thailand would be able to cope with the future flood situation, since it has brought in both local and foreign experts to work on the issue. At the same time, it would uphold the master plan on river basin management, which was well-prepared 10 years ago. Another two major plans, which were worked out by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Bureau of the Crown Property, have also been merged into the master plan to make it more complete. He said that the Government would be ready to present the plan to both Thai and foreign investors on January 14, when experts would be invited to give opinions.