China Denies Upstream Water Release Amid Thai Floods

[webfact]

FILE - Picture courtesy: Thai Rath

 

China has denied allegations that water released from the Jinghong Dam in Yunnan has contributed to severe flooding in Thailand’s northern and northeastern regions. The claims came amidst speculation that China's water release could have exacerbated the situation downstream.

 

In an official statement, the Chinese embassy in Bangkok clarified that recent floods in Thailand were not influenced by water discharges from the Jinghong Dam. Embassy representatives noted that various state agencies had confirmed that Chinese rivers and reservoirs were at normal levels for this time of year.

 

"The average daily outflow from Jinghong Dam has decreased by 60% compared to August last year," the embassy stated. "No additional water has been released recently."

 

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had suggested that the unusually high water levels in the Mekong River could have resulted from China releasing excess water due to their own flood situations. On a visit to flood-stricken areas in Chiang Rai, Thaksin mentioned that Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs was in discussions with Chinese officials to manage water release so as to prevent further overflow.

 

While it's unclear if the Chinese embassy's statement was aimed directly at Thaksin's comments, it highlighted China's concern over regional flooding. "The six countries in the Lancang (Mekong) River Basin share a common future, interconnected by mountains and rivers," the embassy posted on its Facebook page. "China fully respects and accommodates the interests of other basin countries and is committed to strengthening information sharing and cooperation on water resources."

 

As of Wednesday, the Mekong’s water level in Nakhon Phanom had risen to around 10.4 metres, standing just 1.6 metres below the overflow threshold. Local authorities have been warned to prepare for potential flooding with measures such as installing large water pumps. Residents have been advised to stay updated with weather forecasts as the situation develops, reported Bangkok Poast.

 

By focusing on boosting cooperation and communication, the involved nations aim to navigate the challenges posed by climate change and fluctuating water levels effectively.

 

-- 2024-08-29

 

 

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[GammaGlobulin]

When I think of severe flooding in Thailand....

My first thought is to recollect the floods of just over a decades ago.

 

https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2011/10/worst-flooding-in-decades-swamps-thailand/100168/

 

 

 

[Theforgotten1]

Asians , denial ,denial,denial , 

[thesetat2013]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had suggested that the unusually high water levels in the Mekong River could have resulted from China releasing excess water due to their own flood situations. On a visit to flood-stricken areas in Chiang Rai, Thaksin mentioned that Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs was in discussions with Chinese officials to manage water release so as to prevent further overflow.

 

Why is Thaksin involved in this? He is not in any government capacity to be doing this.

[RichardColeman]

Bet they also pointed out anti-flood devices freely available to buy on Shoppee and Alibaba, etc

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had suggested that the unusually high water levels in the Mekong River could have resulted from China releasing excess water due to their own flood situations. On a visit to flood-stricken areas in Chiang Rai, Thaksin mentioned that Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs was in discussions with Chinese officials to manage water release so as to prevent further overflow.

Thaksin seems to have his finger on the pulse of exactly what the government is doing...

not meddling my ar$e

[dinsdale]

4 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Thaksin seems to have his finger on the pulse of exactly what the government is doing...

not meddling my ar$e

I agree with your sentiment but he hasn't got his finger on the pulse. He is the heart doing the beating. He is the maker of the pulse. He is directing not following. He is the puppeteer not the puppet. 

[HK MacPhooey]

24 minutes ago, thesetat2013 said:

Why is Thaksin involved in this? He is not in any government capacity to be doing this.

Because he was proxy PM during the last major flooding back in 2010, that time on behalf of ‘little sis’

[Zack61]

2 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

When I think of severe flooding in Thailand....

My first thought is to recollect the floods of just over a decades ago.

 

https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2011/10/worst-flooding-in-decades-swamps-thailand/100168/

 

 

 

I remember flying from CM to Bangkok at this time. All I could see was a mass of brown water as far as I could see with the odd hill or some rooftops breaking through. 

[Luuk Chaai]

what was that other dumb idea ?

[Gknrd]

You released to much water and flooded Thailand, what do you have to say for your self.. NO we did not!

Ahh ok, just asking.. 

[hotchilli]

8 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

I agree with your sentiment but he hasn't got his finger on the pulse. He is the heart doing the beating. He is the maker of the pulse. He is directing not following. He is the puppeteer not the puppet. 

Agreed.. well said.

[ikke1959]

The good water management of Thailand.. It is because of China, we couldn't do anything about ...But for years nothing really nothing is done to solve yearly flooding in this country.. No cleaning waterways, no dam level management, but only sell land to built houses, businesses and no further infrastructure whatso ever

[Mark17AA]

The CCP are the Hub of denials... more the fool who trusts a word, actually China and Thailand sometimes deserve each other. 

[Hunz Kittisak]

CCP China is not your friend

The sooner the world realise this the better

[klauskunkel]

China's Mekong Strategy: Claim those flooded regions as part of the South China Sea since they are now covered with Chinese water.

 

Disclaimer for Liverpool Lou: the above statement is a joke, and not based on fact. (This disclaimer is free to use and not copyrighted)

[daveAustin]

1 hour ago, thesetat2013 said:

Why is Thaksin involved in this? He is not in any government capacity to be doing this.

He is the government capacity. 

[daveAustin]

Taking notice of anything the Chinese embassy or ccp put out…  by default the answer will be ‘nothing to do with us!’ 😞

I mean, You may as well ask a soi cat or random mynah bird. 

[Coota]

54 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

The good water management of Thailand.. It is because of China, we couldn't do anything about ...But for years nothing really nothing is done to solve yearly flooding in this country.. No cleaning waterways, no dam level management, but only sell land to built houses, businesses and no further infrastructure whatso ever

Havea good look at the photo mate, no amount of infrastructure is going to stop that. Have you ever been up there, near the Mekong? 

[IamNoone88]

I have not read of heavy and prolonged rains this season ... so I was also wondering why there was a deluge. The Chinese did not admit to being the source of Covid either ... And that was pretty clear.

Edited August 29 by IamNoone88

[KhunLA]

18 minutes ago, Coota said:

Havea good look at the photo mate, no amount of infrastructure is going to stop that. Have you ever been up there, near the Mekong? 

Yea ... it pretty much floods along the Mekong every other year, sometimes very bad.  Been doing that the whole 24 years I've lived in TH.  

 

It's called rainy season.  Revolving floods, and of course droughts & low reservoirs.  You'd think after 80 years after WW II they would have figured out how to manage the water a bit better.

 

Oh wait ... the N & NE, was low on BKK's priorities for decades.  

Edited August 29 by KhunLA

[10baht]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

China has denied allegations that water released from the Jinghong Dam in Yunnan has contributed to severe flooding in Thailand’s northern and northeastern regions.

OMG  you don't believe whatever China says. Where have you been? EV's saving the world while the electricity to power them is made with coal which is polluting the rest of the world.

[10baht]

1 hour ago, dinsdale said:

Thaksin seems to have his finger on the pulse of exactly what the government is doing...

not meddling my ar$e

Idiots, this is about China not Thaksin.

[newbee2022]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had suggested that the unusually high water

Well,....he suggested....

It's common to point first to others than blame yourself 😐

[dinsdale]

8 minutes ago, 10baht said:

Idiots, this is about China not Thaksin.

My apologies. I must have misread THIS ....

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had suggested that the unusually high water levels in the Mekong River could have resulted from China releasing excess water due to their own flood situations. On a visit to flood-stricken areas in Chiang Rai, Thaksin mentioned that Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs was in discussions with Chinese officials to manage water release so as to prevent further overflow.

 

[OldmanJ]

Even if China did release some water from the dam have they ever been known to admit there mistakes,just look back at the pandemic and now the flooding.

[Coota]

16 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Yea ... it pretty much floods along the Mekong every other year, sometimes very bad.  Been doing that the whole 24 years I've lived in TH.  

 

It's called rainy season.  Revolving floods, and of course droughts & low reservoirs.  You'd think after 80 years after WW II they would have figured out how to manage the water a bit better.

 

Oh wait ... the N & NE, was low on BKK's priorities for decades.  

I get your point mate but nobody can manage vast areas of low land with one of the biggest rivers in the world running through it during the monsoon season. The water has to go somewhere.

[Scouse123]

1 hour ago, Gknrd said:

You released to much water and flooded Thailand, what do you have to say for your self.. NO we did not!

Ahh ok, just asking.. 

 

The Chinese have been creating dams and controlling water resources upstream for years, it was reported often what they were doing.

 

Then, they were offering the Laotians minor compensation, ( calling it humanitarian assistance) to the guys who made a living fishing on the Mekong River.

 

They told them, the dams they were creating were for efficient water management and that it was for the benefit of everyone.

 

China never does anything for anyone for the benefit of anybody except China.

[Taboo2]

Anyone who believes anything the Chinese Government say and take it to be true, need to have their head examined.

[KhunLA]

15 minutes ago, Coota said:

I get your point mate but nobody can manage vast areas of low land with one of the biggest rivers in the world running through it during the monsoon season. The water has to go somewhere.

You can, and other countries manage.   OR ... Buddha forbid, try not building on low level flood plains, would be even a better solution.   oops ... too late.

 

Nong Khai city as a retaining wall, and works ... most of the time     Same with Vientiane, Laos, as haven't read about them being flooded out for some time, though don't really pay attention.