Plan To Revive Northeast Water Project: Plodprasob

[webfact]

Plan to revive Northeast water project

JEERAPONG PRASERTPONKRANG

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Water and Flood Management Commission (WFMC) wants to revive a project to construct simple piped water systems in drought-stricken parts of the Northeast.

"I am going to tell the prime minister about this idea soon," WFMC chair Plodprasob Surassawadee said yesterday after the commission's meeting on drought. He is also the science minister.

Surveys are now being conducted to determine which areas need the piped-water systems. A management committee will be established to operate each system, which must include some villagers as members.

Plodprasob expected each unit of the piped-water system to cost less than Bt25 million.

When asked whether the need for so many units would mean a massive budget, Plodprasob said the money would be well spent for people's benefits.

"The government doesn't care how much money such projects will need. The budget comes from taxpayers' money. Such projects are a way to give direct return to people," he said.

Plodprasob said the project to operate simple piped-water systems in the Northeast was abandoned about 20 years ago because of management problems. "But now we have better technologies," he said.

The systems would involve above-ground water pipes and elevated water tanks.

MOVE TO FIGHT DROUGHT

The project is one of seven anti-drought measures.

"If we can prevent floods, we should be able to prevent drought too," Plodprasob said.

Other measures included rainmaking operations and adding water to small reservoirs and wells.

Rainmaking operations have already started and would last for about one month.

"There are five teams for the Northeast and one for the Central region," Plodprasob said.

With the rainy season ending soon, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has instructed the WFMC to shift its focus to drought.

Plodprasob said the country would not face more big storms this year.

"There's a possibility of only two big low-pressure ridges during the rest of 2012," he said, adding that would mean an increase in relative humidity and raise the success rate of the rainmaking missions.

Rear Admiral Witoon Tantikul, deputy director-general of the Nautical Chart and Publication Services Hydrographic Department, said the forecast shows reduced rainfall and the coming of cold weather.

Both Witoon and Plodprasob denied concerns about rising water levels in the Chao Phraya River.

"Now, it's the high-tide period. It will continue to Sunday. The water level in waterways will be 20 per cent higher," Wittoon said.

During the high tide, the level of the Chao Phraya will be between 1.77 metres and 1.87 metres.

"Last year [during the flood], the water level was up to 2.52 metres," he said.

-- The Nation 2012-10-18

[cloudhopper]

"Plodprasob said the project to operate simple piped-water systems in the Northeast was abandoned about 20 years ago because of management problems. "But now we have better technologies," he said.

The systems would involve above-ground water pipes and elevated water tanks."

That's stunning technological progress alright; management, not so much.

[asiawatcher]

"Plodprasob said the project to operate simple piped-water systems in the Northeast was abandoned about 20 years ago because of management problems. "But now we have better technologies," he said.

The systems would involve above-ground water pipes and elevated water tanks."

That's stunning technological progress alright; management, not so much.

- just give Plod a microphone every day and he will come up with more brilliance. If Thaksin had not afforested the East with Eucalyptus gums, sold the forestry rights to his cronies and three years later trashed the crop for paper, the soil now so badly damages by the trees that nothing can grow for about 10 years, perhaps understanding denuding of the landscape caused a lot of the issues but by allowing vegetation to remain and recropping the land, when rain falls, the water can stay in the ground if something is there to hold it. Again greed was the motivating factor with no care to the farmers or the consequences of poisoning the soil using the gums, just a fast growing tree that could be used for paper. And they still voted for him.

[Ricardo]

"Plodprasob said the project to operate simple piped-water systems in the Northeast was abandoned about 20 years ago because of management problems. "But now we have better technologies," he said.

The systems would involve above-ground water pipes and elevated water tanks."

That's stunning technological progress alright; management, not so much.

Didn't the Romans have aqueducts and storage-tanks and pipes, some 2,000 years ago ?

Certainly the Victorian-era saw large-scale water-distribution, as the Industrial Revolution advanced and the workers moved from agriculture to factory/mill/mining-jobs in the fast-growing towns/cities, in the UK ?

Cue a first-class/five-star study-trip to England, passing through Ironbridge-Gorge at 50 mph, to 'study' how these things are done in other countries !

[Soutpeel]

"When asked whether the need for so many units would mean a massive budget, Plodprasob said the money would be well spent for people's benefits".

The government doesn't care how much money such projects will need. The budget comes from taxpayers' money. Such projects are a way to give direct return to people," he said.

And this is the problem...which people are benefitting from this...the poor isaan farmer...think not ?

[Thai at Heart]

"When asked whether the need for so many units would mean a massive budget, Plodprasob said the money would be well spent for people's benefits".

The government doesn't care how much money such projects will need. The budget comes from taxpayers' money. Such projects are a way to give direct return to people," he said.

And this is the problem...which people are benefitting from this...the poor isaan farmer...think not ?

Well, I lived for many years up the road from an EU water development project. I think the liners for ponds, pumps and excavators are still there rusting away. There may be one upside to the whole thing. Maybe they can grow a bit more "hom mali" rice which they appear to be able to sell relatively easily, and grow less of the other types.

[bigbamboo]

One of the funniest articles I've read for ages!

[ballpoint]

"If we can prevent floods, we should be able to prevent drought too," Plodprasob said.

By putting the propellers in reverse?

[OzMick]

"When asked whether the need for so many units would mean a massive budget, Plodprasob said the money would be well spent for people's benefits".

The government doesn't care how much money such projects will need. The budget comes from taxpayers' money. Such projects are a way to give direct return to people," he said.

And this is the problem...which people are benefitting from this...the poor isaan farmer...think not ?

Well, I lived for many years up the road from an EU water development project. I think the liners for ponds, pumps and excavators are still there rusting away. There may be one upside to the whole thing. Maybe they can grow a bit more "hom mali" rice which they appear to be able to sell relatively easily, and grow less of the other types.

Even better, in an area that suffers from drought, they could grow a crop that doesn't require as much water, or a taxpayer's subsidy to make it worth doing.

[Thai at Heart]

"If we can prevent floods, we should be able to prevent drought too," Plodprasob said.

By putting the propellers in reverse?

Plodprasob vying for a place in Olympus as God of the Rain.

[Pimay1]

"The government doesn't care how much money such projects will need. The budget comes from taxpayers' money.

Oink, oink, here little piggy.

[Thai at Heart]

"When asked whether the need for so many units would mean a massive budget, Plodprasob said the money would be well spent for people's benefits".

The government doesn't care how much money such projects will need. The budget comes from taxpayers' money. Such projects are a way to give direct return to people," he said.

And this is the problem...which people are benefitting from this...the poor isaan farmer...think not ?

Well, I lived for many years up the road from an EU water development project. I think the liners for ponds, pumps and excavators are still there rusting away. There may be one upside to the whole thing. Maybe they can grow a bit more "hom mali" rice which they appear to be able to sell relatively easily, and grow less of the other types.

Even better, in an area that suffers from drought, they could grow a crop that doesn't require as much water, or a taxpayer's subsidy to make it worth doing.

Indeed, but, but, but, we are the number one rice exporter, we must continue to push a square hole into a round peg, because that is what we do. I don't know the numbers, but the "value" of hom mali probably means it doesn't need to be subsidised, rather a complete reform of the buying system to stop the middle men gouging 30% out of the value chain.

[siampolee]

One does hope that the water pipes and the local outlets or even the main outlets of this proposed installation will not be afflicted with the same problems that appeared to impede the water flow in the Bangkok drainage system Mr.Plodprasob.

Edited October 18, 2012 by siampolee

[MaxLee]

But Mr Science Minister??? What happened to the floodwater of Sukothai or from Prachinburi???

[billd766]

Didn't Chavalit Yongchaiyud propose digging a big tunnel in Issan fot this purpose?

It was supposed to connect to the Mekong and run irrigation pipes all over Issan.

[dcutman]

I can just see it now, 1/2" blue pvc pipe run all over the surface of the north east. I best go pick up some extra pipe and tee fittings, there could be a big run on it.

[fstarbkk]

I'm starting to think that Plod and Chalerm should go on tour as the government's comedy dream-team. The stuff that comes out of them, every time one of them opens his mouth...

Priceless! Pure entertainment gold! You just can't BUY material like that!!!

[siampolee]

I'm starting to think that Plod and Chalerm should go on tour as the government's comedy dream-team. The stuff that comes out of them, every time one of them opens his mouth.

The more I hear and read from these two characters I am of the frame of mind that perhaps these two are standing on their heads when they make comments thus possibly the comments are not coming out of their mouths...

Edited October 18, 2012 by siampolee

[mikhill]

I've lived in Isaan for many years. When I first came there was no water other than from the communal well. And there were no toilets other than a spade and the bushes..We inatalled pumps as most of the villagers did bit by bit, so the only cost was on the electricity bill. Then came piped in water from the local lake!

At first the price was reasonable but the supply was very irregular. Now we, and most neighbours have gone back to pumps but we still pay 5 Baht for the water which has been dissconnected.. What happenedto dust free roads (promised by ???), they are worse in Isaan than they have ever been and I wish we could go back to the old dirt roads.

Cheers ike

[EarthAlien]

"I am going to tell the prime minister about this idea soon," WFMC chair Plodprasob Surassawadee said yesterday after the commission's meeting on drought. He is also the science minister.....

.... he is also a genius who's innovative thinking and extraordinary brilliance should be more highly regarded by the PM, the government and all Thai people.

Surely this man should go down in history as one of Thailand's most brilliant minds and dedicated ministers! Until then he must sadly remain as an unsung hero and champion of the people but I for one appreciate him and will continue to follow all threads relating to him as he deserves to at least be acknowledged sincerely for the unwaivering committment to progress and problem solving that only the most dedicated and outstanding of ministers are willing to embrace!

Edited October 18, 2012 by EarthAlien

[tawonsri]

"When asked whether the need for so many units would mean a massive budget, Plodprasob said the money would be well spent for people's benefits".

The government doesn't care how much money such projects will need. The budget comes from taxpayers' money. Such projects are a way to give direct return to people," he said.

And this is the problem...which people are benefitting from this...the poor isaan farmer...think not ?

No, it's really not the farmer that profits from any ohf those government projects .... But the famous Plod is surprisingliy honest when he tell that the governement will not take care how much money those projects will cost - as he he truly said: it's the taxpayers money - so government might feel free to take what thy need and if it's not enough they just rise the tax.

And you always must consider: the cost to the government is not the amount of money that will be spent for the project in Isaan - too many hands grabbing tea money - starting with the big Plod himself .

Edited October 18, 2012 by tawonsri

[ballpoint]

"When asked whether the need for so many units would mean a massive budget, Plodprasob said the money would be well spent for people's benefits".

The government doesn't care how much money such projects will need. The budget comes from taxpayers' money. Such projects are a way to give direct return to people," he said.

And this is the problem...which people are benefitting from this...the poor isaan farmer...think not ?

No, it's really not the farmer that profits from any ohf those government projects .... But the famous Plod is surprisingliy honest when he tell that the governement will not take care how much money those projects will cost - as he he truly said: it's the taxpayers money - so government might feel free to take what thy need and if it's not enough they just rise the tax.

And you always must consider: the cost to the government is not the amount of money that will be spent for the project in Isaan - too many hands grabbing tea money - starting with the big Plod himself.

And if they stopped drinking so much tea there wouldn't be a drought in the first place.

[tawonsri]

Plod, Plod, Plod - every day this st... guy has a little idea and finds a microphone to keep himself in the news - I am so tired of this looser.

He once more proved he should better work as a standup comedian than minister todays announcement:

"If we can prevent floods, we should be able to prevent drought too," Plodprasob said. OMG, what a wise man! BUT: As he obviously isn't able to prevent floods, it means he is also not able to prevent droughts.

So why he is bringing up this whole stroy? Just to create many more projectes, many more comitees - and all of those will pay a little tea money on a monthly base to big "minister of science" Plod ... to make him more rich!

Spending governments money for personal enrichment - what a heavenly job. Must feel like paradise indeed. Useless parasite guy.

Edited October 18, 2012 by tawonsri

[tawonsri]

"If we can prevent floods, we should be able to prevent drought too," Plodprasob said.

By putting the propellers in reverse?

Yeah, I think he means it like this -- that's his way of thinking. Simple. To be polite and not say: stupid.

Edited October 18, 2012 by tawonsri