Yingluck’s 6 trillion baht water project revived to address floods

[webfact]

A massive water management project initially proposed by Yingluck Shinawatra may be revived, aiming to tackle Thailand’s recurring issues of flooding and drought. The initiative, projected to cost around 6 trillion baht, has been deemed a national priority by Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai.

“The matter was first raised by the Yingluck government. In 2011, a budget of 2 to 3 trillion baht was set aside for the project. Now, it will cost about 5 to 6 trillion to carry out the project.”

 

Phumtham emphasised that despite the substantial expenditure, the long-term benefits would justify the investment.

During a visit to Nan province, Phumtham inspected flood relief operations and distributed supplies to affected residents. He noted Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra‘s concern for flood victims and her frustration over the caretaker government’s limited capacity to assist until a new government is formed.

“The caretaker government is now doing everything in its power to help.”

 

Once the new government is in place, the water management project will be proposed for consideration. Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra recently advocated for several water projects to address the country’s persistent flooding and drought issues.

Persistent floods

 

As of yesterday, August 25, floods were reported in five northern provinces: Chiang Rai, Nan, Phayao, Phetchabun, and Phrae, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM).

 

Between August 16 and yesterday, floods claimed the lives of 22 people, with 13 fatalities in Phuket. The inundation has displaced 30,807 families across 22 provinces.

 

Chaovalit Gunkham, an assistant governor of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), mentioned that while some northern areas have seen floodwaters recede, EGAT will continue to monitor water levels in major river basins.

The Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit province, one of the main dams in the upper north of Thailand, is currently 70% full and can accommodate an additional 2.9 million cubic metres of runoff. To prevent downstream flooding and conserve water for the dry season, the dam’s discharge rate has been reduced to three million cubic metres per day.

 

Surasee Kittimonthon, secretary-general of the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR), reported that continuous rainfall has caused water levels along the Mekong River to rise, impacting low-lying areas in the north and northeast.

 

The ONWR has issued an emergency notice to the Mekong River Commission Secretariat (MRCS), requesting increased flood surveillance and daily reports from water stations in Chiang Rai, Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, and Ubon Ratchathani.

High waters

 

In Sukhothai, the Yom River overflowed its banks yesterday, flooding villages and farmland in Sawankhalok, Sri Samrong, Kong Krailat, and Mueang districts with waters up to 50 centimetres deep. Governor Suchart Theekhasuk ordered the establishment of a relief operation centre to assist affected residents.

 

With more rain expected, relevant authorities in Bangkok have implemented measures to prevent runoff from the north from causing widespread flooding in the capital.

 

Deputy Governor Wissanu Sapsompol stated that City Hall is closely monitoring water levels along the Chao Phraya River and sharing data with the Royal Irrigation Department, Centre of National Water Administration, and ONWR.

“The flow [of the Chao Phraya River] through Ayutthaya’s Bang Sai district was not at a worrying level today. Run-off from Nan is expected to take about five days to arrive downstream, and we will know [the severity of the situation] two days in advance when the water reaches Bang Sai.”

 

He also mentioned that officials have reinforced and heightened flood walls along the Chao Phraya with sandbags.

 

Resources, including sandbags and water pumps, have been mobilised to flood-prone areas across Bangkok to ensure a swift response in emergencies, reported Bangkok Post.

 

by Ryan Turne
Image: Public Relations Department

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-08-26

 

 

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[petermik]

So that`s where the digital wallet money is going????

[OneMoreFarang]

12 minutes ago, webfact said:

A massive water management project initially proposed by Yingluck Shinawatra may be revived, aiming to tackle Thailand’s recurring issues of flooding and drought. The initiative, projected to cost around 6 trillion baht

 

Let's concentrate on the important parts here: A massive Shinawatra project projected to cost around 6 trillion baht.

I think the usual "commission" is 30% or something like that. It I didn't mix up all those zeros that is about 1,800,000,000,000 THB "commission" for the Shinawatras and their lackeys. Yeah, we can be sure they love such project. 

[Gottfrid]

6 minutes ago, petermik said:

So that`s where the digital wallet money is going????

No, not at all. The amount for the digital wallet was from start estimated to 500 billion baht. If you not consider that same as 5-6 trillion baht, then you are wrong.

[Gottfrid]

6 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I think the usual "commission" is 30% or something like that.

Recommendation: Stop think.

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Phumtham emphasised that despite the substantial expenditure, the long-term benefits would justify the investment

That remains to be seen.

[Nick Carter icp]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

A massive water management project initially proposed by Yingluck Shinawatra may be revived, aiming to tackle Thailand’s recurring issues of flooding and drought.

 

   I always thought that it would be a good idea to save the flood water and use the water when there's a drought 

[trainman34014]

Wonder what happened to the 3 Trillion Baht 'put aside' back in 2011 ?    Aside in certain people's bank accounts no doubt !

 

[Purdey]

Seems there is flooding every year or so but the junta didn't do anything.

One day I suppose...

[mfd101]

42 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   I always thought that it would be a good idea to save the flood water and use the water when there's a drought 

Yes. I wonder what the proposal was exactly? and how would it work?

 

For example, just building new dams on the same river system looks like not a great step forward vis-à-vis cost. Just delays the flooding by a week or 3.

 

If you could divert water to a different river system when required, that might represent real progress but the costs and effort required might be beyond all practical possibility ...

[Photoguy21]

If such a project is to be seriously considered get experts in from around the world to evaluate and provide a detailed plan including costing for such a project.

[MalcolmB]

With all this climate change this will be money very well spent. 
Good to see the Shins back being proactive after a decade of reactive.

[Watawattana]

11 minutes ago, Photoguy21 said:

If such a project is to be seriously considered get experts in from around the world to evaluate and provide a detailed plan including costing for such a project.

 

And then help to monitor progress against that plan, including auditing the finances against that costing?

[Photoguy21]

23 minutes ago, Watawattana said:

 

And then help to monitor progress against that plan, including auditing the finances against that costing?

Absolutely

[Red Forever]

So, not only have many (most) of the trumped up charges against Yingluck been dropped but authoritative voices are saying that she was right to implement this plan.

Notwithstanding the howls of the climate change deniers, this is the reality of man made carbon emissions on our environment.

Indonesia is relocating it's capital Jakarta for similar reasons.

I can hear the heads of the Shin hate mob and the climate change deniers exploding from here!

[ExpatOilWorker]

[Hunz Kittisak]

9 hours ago, Purdey said:

Seems there is flooding every year or so but the junta didn't do anything.

One day I suppose...

The only thing the junta’s been doing for past decade in power is to move the country backwards and run it to the ground 

[john donson]

I got one... everything flooded now, make it ... national park, no building allowed...

[Khyron]

Hey at least there is someone in power saying something about the flooding instead of sticking their heads in the sand and kicking the can down the road.