Drought Damage Mounting In Thailand’s Northeast

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Drought damage mounting in Thailand’s Northeast

ROI ET: -- The drought in Thailand’s North-east has caused damage to crops and agricultural products estimated to be worth more than a billion baht.

More than half a million rai (2.5 rai = 1 acre) of farmland and fruit plantations has been damaged by water shortage in Roi Et province, according to deputy provincial governor Amorn Wetchakarnwitthaya.

More than 200,000 rai of farmland has been successfully recovered through the timely distribution of water, he said.

Meanwhile, over 500 farmers from seven provinces in the country's lower North-east attended a workshop hosted by the chairman of the Senate panel on agriculture affairs to discuss possible solutions to the drought.

Many of the participants complained that bureaucratic red-tape was partly to be blamed for the delay in emergency water supplies being provided to those in need, Niwat Phonechua, told TNA after the seminar.

Mr. Niwat said he would soon propose an amendment to the existing government regulations to authorise the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to handle all emergency drought relief and assistance.

Under the current legislation, it is the role of the Interior Ministry.

--TNA 2004-12-03