Thai Govt Ignores Drought Threat At Its Own Peril

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EDITORIAL

Govt ignores drought threat at its own peril

The Nation

Diverting attention away from water resource management failings can only go on for so long until another crisis is upon us

BANGKOK: -- While the nation is preoccupied with domestic politics, Thailand is facing another challenge from nature. The country could face a severe drought next year, unless the government can effectively the issue of water resource management. Unfortunately, although the government has allocated a massive budget of Bt350 billion for water management, there seems to be little urgency in addressing the issue.

Several months have passed and a credible project has yet to materialise. The government is reportedly looking to the private sector to compete in the bidding process and the conceptual planning of the project.

Recent downpours disguise the fact that many provinces are suffering drought due to inconsistency in rainfall. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported on November 21 that 18 provinces are suffering a lack of rainfall. Water levels in reservoirs are also lower than normal.

The drought has affected 650,000 farmers and 5.6 million rai of land. Although the dry spell has yet to adversely affect agricultural production, the situation is not safe. From November 1 this year to April 30 next year, the authorities can release 23.57 million cubic metres of water, which should be allocated to 16.62 million rai of farmland. The Agriculture Ministry sets the dry season from November 1 to April 30 every year.

The situation in the Northeast is the worst because the amount of rainfall this year has been lower than normal by 18 per cent. As a result, a total of 31,220 farmers, covering an area of 62,445 rai, are likely to be adversely affected. In spite of the urgency of the situation, the government has yet to take action. Some farmers are idle because they don't have enough water to continue planting. Farmers in the upper part of the Northeast are heavily affected because the recent rainfall has reached only the lower part of the region.

The government commands the biggest vote stronghold in the Northeast, yet it has done little to implement a concrete policy to relieve the plight of affected farmers. The government has so far concentrated on farm subsidy policies that require a lot of money but show no sustainable results. Billions of baht are being spent on these subsidy policies to shore up rice prices and the price of other agricultural produce such as rubber. However, these polocoes have proved to be ineffective in improving the wellbeing of farmers.

When it comes water management, which is an integral part of agricultural activity, the government lacks direction and cannot deal with the problem in a sustainable manner. This reflects the ongoing problem of Thai governments' inability to understand the issue.

The government said last year that it would prefer to let drought happen rather than flooding, because damage caused by floods is likely to have a more severe impact on a wider group of people. Besides, several Cabinet members have vowed to quit their posts if Thailand faces another massive flood disaster.

The drought therefore has been under-reported by the government. This is despite the fact that the public, especially farmers, are aware of the problem and are better prepared to deal with such natural disasters in the wake of government gailings.

The government may be able to distract attention away from the issue for now. But Thailand is entering the dry season and nature has shown how tough it can be. The government has no excuse for failure because it has everything it needs including resources and money. What the government lacks is understanding and the ability to make a determined effort to deal with the problem.

-- The Nation 2012-11- 27

[fareastguy]

This is typical Thailand, wait for a disaster to happen then try to deal with the consequences.

For a country that boasts to world leaders that it is ready to be an up & coming Asian leader it is sadly lacking in expertise in certain areas of government. The lack of foresight to predict the outcome of measurable statistics that it is already aware of is abominable, to neglect to do anything about it in the form of prevention is worse, it's dereliction of duty.

The governments present course of placing family, friends & colleagues within the most influential post's by way of a reward for loyalty will come back to haunt the government, slowly but surely in all areas of governance the country is slipping backwards into the last century, from which it has only just emerged.

Just one year after taking power form the opposition the major players are still filling their pockets with the spoils of victory, instead of carrying out their promises of making a great nation for all & to lift the poor out of depression.

The farmers who the government need so badly for support are the ones who will ultimately suffer the most with floods & drought. Next year when they have been unable to make enough money to live on due to little or no crops to sell, the price pledging scheme will bring no benefits for them, what will the governments plan be then to win them over.

The city elite will survive a flood protected by barriers, a drought will have little daily impact just another news item, sure food & water etc will rise in price at the shops but they have the money to spend, it is the majority of farmers in the northern regions who will turn their attention to the government for a solution or another quick fix bail out scheme.. that's then the fun will begin !!

[asiawatcher]

Continuing and ongoing gross mismanagement, and no end in sight. But managing natural elements is always going to be beyond the realms of us mere mortals. Maybe the PM can consult with her brother - after all he is above all us mortals, just ask him.

[Thai at Heart]

Well you can't have it both ways.

Mitigate a flood by emptying the dams, or, manage the dams for irrigation. Yes isaan needs a better plan, but it is statistically a dry part of the country.

So yes its been unseasonally hot in Isaan this last 2 months with little rain, what should the government do? Only 2 months ago they were running flood tests in bangkok.

Ahhh, yes, make it rain. Hmmmmm

[Pinair]

Maybe the PM can consult with her brother - after all he is above all us mortals, just ask him.

Why? His fields have water, so everything is fine

[Soupdragon]

Maybe the PM can consult with her brother - after all he is above all us mortals, just ask him.

Why? His fields have water, so everything is fine

I have heard a lot of talk of Thaksin having land used for rice growing and also using proxies. Does anyone have any factual information regarding this ?

[Thai at Heart]

Ironically, what they need to do is grow less rice to push the prices up.

Maybe its a ptp conspiracy to stop the rain.

[FOODLOVER]

Guess when everyone is starving due to the drought they can sell the Thai rice at a profit. Brilliant!

[otherstuff1957]

Here's a map from the Thai Met Dept. showing how much more or less rainfall that normal the country has had from Jan 1, 2012 until today:

As you can see, the dams which feed the central area should be ok, unless they emptied them during the flood panic a couple of months ago, but the Issan region and parts of the south look like they will be in real trouble.

[Thai at Heart]

Here's a map from the Thai Met Dept. showing how much more or less rainfall that normal the country has had from Jan 1, 2012 until today:

As you can see, the dams which feed the central area should be ok, unless they emptied them during the flood panic a couple of months ago, but the Issan region and parts of the south look like they will be in real trouble.

Yes its bad in Isaan, but 2 years ago korat went 2ms under water so everyone had a fit about managing the dams in that area.

[thaicbr]

Well you can't have it both ways.

Mitigate a flood by emptying the dams, or, manage the dams for irrigation. Yes isaan needs a better plan, but it is statistically a dry part of the country.

So yes its been unseasonally hot in Isaan this last 2 months with little rain, what should the government do? Only 2 months ago they were running flood tests in bangkok.

Ahhh, yes, make it rain. Hmmmmm

its a dry part of the country...BUT they still have a rainy season.. just no / or not enough infrastructure to hold it.. That is the main problem.

We keep hearing how Thaksin's governments have been the longest serving in the history of Thailand.. justnot to much to show for it..

At least when slippery Barnhan was PM Suphanburi got lots of nice new roads.. mind you it was ONLY Suphab that got them

Edited November 27, 2012 by thaicbr

[Barabbas]

Guess when everyone is starving due to the drought they can sell the Thai rice at a profit. Brilliant!

Sell Thai rice at a profit AND importing cheap Cambodia and Vietnam rice to sell on the local market would be even more brilliant. I hope time will prove me wrong...

[Thai at Heart]

Well you can't have it both ways.

Mitigate a flood by emptying the dams, or, manage the dams for irrigation. Yes isaan needs a better plan, but it is statistically a dry part of the country.

So yes its been unseasonally hot in Isaan this last 2 months with little rain, what should the government do? Only 2 months ago they were running flood tests in bangkok.

Ahhh, yes, make it rain. Hmmmmm

its a dry part of the country...BUT they still have a rainy season.. just no / or not enough infrastructure to hold it.. That is the main problem.

We keep hearing how Thaksin's governments have been the longest serving in the history of Thailand.. justnot to much to show for it..

At least when slippery Barnhan was PM Suphanburi got lots of nice new roads.. mind you it was ONLY Suphab that got them

This year, in Isaan, there has been no significant rainy season. So, there was nothing to manage.

There are dams in Isaan, but if it doesn't rain, it doesn't rain.

Edited November 27, 2012 by Thai at Heart

[Pormax]

Yes, I live in Issan. Very poor rainfall this year. Rice crops down. Could be big problems later in the year.

[Soupdragon]

Yes, I live in Issan. Very poor rainfall this year. Rice crops down. Could be big problems later in the year.

So why did the Government just request an additional 70 billion baht for the rice scheme ??

[Thai at Heart]

Yes, I live in Issan. Very poor rainfall this year. Rice crops down. Could be big problems later in the year.

So why did the Government just request an additional 70 billion baht for the rice scheme ??

That's for what hasn't yet been pledged for 201w.

2013 crop on the way soon.

Sadly, the hommali from Isaan is easier to sell even at these inflated prices. It's the less sought after varieties from the central region that are very hard to move at these prices, but they have good irrigation systems.

Edited November 27, 2012 by Thai at Heart

[asiawatcher]

Yes, I live in Issan. Very poor rainfall this year. Rice crops down. Could be big problems later in the year.

Not really - they have plenty of rice in storage to get them through!