Sumet Denies He Plans To Quit Govt Water-Resources Panel

Sumet denies he plans to quit govt water-resources panel

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation on Sunday

Sumet Tantivejkul has denied speculation he will quit the government-appointed Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management (SCWRM), insisting he will stay for the implementation of a permanent strategic water-resources management policy.

The turnaround follows reports that Sumet had refused to take a phone call from Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

He was apparently convinced to stay on by his colleague on the panel, Smith Thammasaroj. Sumet was reported to be unhappy with the committee's eight policies.

Yingluck visited the Doi Tung Royal Development Project in Chiang Rai's Mae Fah Luang district yesterday afternoon and met with Sumet, who said he would stay on.

Yingluck was heard telling Sumet, who is also secretary of the Chai Pattana Foundation under His Majesty the King's patronage,

"[You] have been there from the beginning and you must not leave. Please promise."

Sumet replied with an accepting smile and told the media he didn't know where the speculation on his leaving had come from.

"I don't know where the news came from. There's no change and as long as I am still the adviser I shall advise."

Yingluck, who was accompanied by Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, was briefed about local farmers' efforts to grow substitute crops such as macadamias, coffee and chestnuts in highland areas, instead of opium.

The premier told the Army chief to ensure that the situation along the Thai-Burmese border remains calm, and to keep up the fight to eradicate drugs.

-- The Nation 2012-01-15