Drought Hits Thailand's Economy

[george]

Drought hits Thailand's economy

BANGKOK: -- A drought in Thailand could affect economic growth this year, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has said.

"It will have an impact on GDP growth. The drought is extremely severe this year. If the May rains arrive late we could see greater damage," he said.

The drought is hitting most of the country - with water in many dams declining significantly.

The drought hit fourth quarter economic results by significantly affecting output in the agricultural sector.

The prime minister said the government remained hopeful the economy would grow by 6.5% in 2005 after 6.1% growth in 2004.

The country cut its economic growth forecast in December to account for the effect of the tsunami, which hit six Thai tourist provinces.

Disaster zones

Hopes for a second rice-crop this year have been frustrated by the drought, and crops have been withering in fields.

The agriculture sector, accounted for 9.2% of Thai GDP in 2004.

A farmer looks at cows in a dry rice field in Thailand's Yasothorn province

The drought has hit rice crops

The National Economic and Social Development Board, a state planning agency, said the sector would contract again in 2005, as happened last year.

The drought has hit 70 of Thailand's 76 provinces and affected 8.3 million people.

On Friday, 10 areas in the northern Thai province of Chiang Mai were declared disaster zones, with emergency assistance granted to relieve the hardship of farmers and fishermen.

As many as 6,000 new wells are being drilled in rural areas to provide temporary relief.

Region hit

Water at hydro-electric dams has fallen close to the minimum needed to produce electricity, government officials said.

The military is on standby to carry out cloud-seeding in an effort to stimulate rain in the areas worst hit.

The drought is affecting other countries in south-east Asia and Cambodia has put out a call for international assistance.

Cambodia is suffering its second year of drought, with the Mekong River water levels dropping below normal levels, and many farmers expect to lose their crops.

Vietnam's eight Central Highlands provinces are suffering their worst drought in 28 years, affecting 1 million people and causing millions of pounds worth of crop losses.

Officials say Vietnam's coffee industry, the second largest in the world, is threatened as the main bean-producing region is one of the hardest hit.

--BBC 2005-03-15

[sriracha john]

The drought is affecting other countries in south-east Asia and Cambodia has put out a call for international assistance.

Cambodia is suffering its second year of drought, with the Mekong River water levels dropping below normal levels, and many farmers expect to lose their crops.

Vietnam's eight Central Highlands provinces are suffering their worst drought in 28 years, affecting 1 million people and causing millions of pounds worth of crop losses.

given the above, I wonder what chance Mr. T has in getting the countries affected to approve his plan to divert water from the Mekong River into Thailand's farms.

[sriracha john]

Located the story regarding above. Given Thailand's wonderful rapport with Cambodia and it's other neighbors, I'm sure they would be willing to sacrifice their own water supply during this devastating drought to help out Thailand. In addition, getting China to cooperate with their dams upriver is another pipe dream.

Thailand Seeking Water from Neighbors to Ease Drought

March 15, 2005 — By Associated Press

BANGKOK, Thailand — Thailand is negotiating with neighboring countries to divert water from rivers flowing through their territory to help ease severe seasonal droughts, officials said Monday.

The current drought has caused millions of dollars (euros) of damage to Thai crops, prompting authorities to urge Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia to accept the plan, which has been talked about for decades but never implemented.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra told reporters that his government is initiating talks with the three countries on sharing water from the Mekong and Salween rivers, but warned that the project would be a long term one.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Newin Chidchob told reporters that the foreign ministry will negotiate with China about releasing water from the massive dams it has built on upstream portions of the Mekong.

In addition to the seasonal droughts brought on by irregular and insufficient rains, some environmentalists blame the Chinese dams for the lowering of water levels in the Mekong, which has a knock-on effect, as its tributaries see their water levels drop or in some cases dry up entirely.

Water from rivers flowing through Myanmar and Laos would be diverted to the massive Bhumibol Dam in the northern Thai province of Tak. Water from Cambodia's rivers would go to a proposed hydropower dam that would also be used for irrigation projects.

[Ned]

I see we is chop down all the tree in Burma and Cambodia is good for drought I think. Thailand company make much money is good too ya. Mekong no have water okay walk to Lao...sanuk. Bangkok no problem have water okay no. What you say no water! I think Thaksin can fix. Use gun kill drought.

[sriracha john]

"Use gun kill drought. "

ROFL....... great line. LOL