Yingluck Pledges Transparency In Water Control Projects

[webfact]

PM pledges transparency in water control projects

BANGKOK, Aug 15 - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday reassured the Thai public that procurement procedures for the consortium to manage Thailand's overall water projects and flood prevention projects will be transparent and ready to be scrutinised.

The premier made her remarks as the selection of a consortium to manage the country’s large-scale water management projects worth Bt300 billion was proceeding.

Ms Yingluck said the government is gathering additional information and will inform the public when decisions are made.

The prime minister vowed there will be no irregularities in the procurement process. No company has been chosen in advance. Flooding, she said, is a national concern affecting the whole nation.

The government must make the best choices in solving problems, the premier reasserted.

Information on special websites will create better understanding among the public on the megaprojects so that the people will know the government is responding to the flood threat.

Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi said that the Cabinet today extended the deadline for submitting the overall plan from consortiums by an additional month, with the closing date Sept 14 to give more time to interested companies.

He added that the funds to finance the project would not come from foreign loans so that the internatonal institutions such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank or the Japan Bank for International Cooperation would not take part in the projects.

Mr Plodprasop said earlier the overall scheme will be divided into 14 major projects -- eight located in the Chao Phraya River Basin and six projects in six other river basins.

The projects include a rehabilitation plan for reservoirs, canals, sluice gates, emergency response plans, water retention and diversion areas, town planning, and establishment of new organisations such as a water ministry.

The minister said that the government will work with the projects transparently and that foreign firms will be invited because the government needs advanced technology on water management.

Mr Plodprasob said interested companies can propose concept plans for consideration. The committee will select the three best companies before selecting a company to be asked to develop a detailed design for the overall projects. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-08-15

[RogueExpat]

Well, she must be very naive, because this "pledge" is going to bite her on her arse big-time, when the 14 projects are found to be either been awarded to Thaksin"s (including family members) businesses, businesses of (political) friends, or cosy deals with large multi-nationals.

[Pib]

I'm sure the transparency will be as clear as mud.

[hhiser]

You would hope that this would be the case. But with as much corruption that goes on here, you would think naming and shaming would happen often.

But it seems to occur very rarely. She probably will probably give enough of the contacts to the Dems so they won't say anything.

Sent from my GT-P7500 using Thaivisa Connect App

[MaxLee]

Was anything actually done yet? Just ipsy bitsy talks and no significant actions.

[OzMick]

PM pledges transparency in water control projects - are we talking wet T-shirts here?

[webfact]

Govt ready to clarify state-initiated water management plan to Thailand

BANGKOK, 15 August 2012 (NNT) – The government is ready to clarify to the public what it has planned and achieved in the water management plan.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said on Tuesday that the government has been preparing to clarify to the people of Thailand all about its water management works in order to keep all up-to-date on the progress.

PM Yingluck stated that how the government will actually handle this year’s flood depends on the amount of water Thailand will experience, while assuring that various simulated scenarios have been tested to prompt all related units for the inundation.

The PM said that the success of the government’s water management policy is related with several factors. She also said that if all dredging works around the downstream area are completed in time, the prevention of the flood will be more efficient.

According to the Premier, the government will also explain to the public how water will flow from upstream river and to assure them that closed-circuit cameras will be installed along the water ways to monitor the situation, with all information available at www.waterforthai.com

The Prime Minister went on to say that the Terms of Reference (ToR) for private companies to build a sustainable water management system for Thailand has been carefully planned without any intention to make it more favorable for foreign contenders than for Thai companies.

-- NNT 2012-08-15

[Ricardo]

When there were floods last year, it was supposed to be partly due to poor-decisions made pre/during the elections in June/July, but this year it's already mid-August and the new-ish government is still only preparing to clarify its plans. Some contradiction there perhaps ?

Happily the rains thus far tend to suggest a more-normal monsoon-season, with only relatively-minor floods to date, which is just as well since the long-promised solutions seem to be nowhere near agreed, let alone implemented as previously promised.

Let's hope that the foreign-owned manufacturers aren't following all this closely, as they decide whether to refurbish the flood-damaged factories, and where to direct future expansion-investment.

Edited August 15, 2012 by Ricardo

[rubl]

According to the Premier, the government will also explain to the public how water will flow from upstream river and to assure them that closed-circuit cameras will be installed along the water ways to monitor the situation, with all information available at www.waterforthai.com

With all the CCTVs (to be) installed you will be able to watch the water flowing from upstream river all the way into your home. That's 'reality' television

[SouthernMan3]

Pledges.

That says it all, no ?

[lungmi]

Before you control a project you must have a project.

Before you check the smell of a fart you must be sure that the fart happened.

[animatic]

Govt ready to clarify state-initiated water management plan to Thailand

BANGKOK, 15 August 2012 (NNT) – The government is ready to clarify to the public what it has planned and achieved in the water management plan.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said on Tuesday that the government has been preparing to clarify to the people of Thailand all about its water management works in order to keep all up-to-date on the progress.

PM Yingluck stated that how the government will actually handle this year’s flood depends on the amount of water Thailand will experience, while assuring that various simulated scenarios have been tested to prompt all related units for the inundation.

The PM said that the success of the government’s water management policy is related with several factors. She also said that if all dredging works around the downstream area are completed in time, the prevention of the flood will be more efficient.

According to the Premier, the government will also explain to the public how water will flow from upstream river and to assure them that closed-circuit cameras will be installed along the water ways to monitor the situation, with all information available at www.waterforthai.com

The Prime Minister went on to say that the Terms of Reference (ToR) for private companies to build a sustainable water management system for Thailand has been carefully planned without any intention to make it more favorable for foreign contenders than for Thai companies.

-- NNT 2012-08-15

Going to a lot of words to say very little,

Other than it will be paid to local contractors rather than foriegners.

But other than that nationalistic phrase...

This say sod all.

[drdoom6996]

Well, she must be very naive, because this "pledge" is going to bite her on her arse big-time, when the 14 projects are found to be either been awarded to Thaksin"s (including family members) businesses, businesses of (political) friends, or cosy deals with large multi-nationals.

Or meatball vendors