Experts Cast Gloom Over Thai Govt's Water Plan

[webfact]

Experts cast gloom over water plan

PONGPHON SARNSAMAK

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Water experts and engineers expressed concern yesterday that the government would not be able to go ahead with its plan to complete the Bt350-billion water-management plan because of mismanagement over the bidding process and environmental hurdles.

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"I am absolutely sure that government's flood- and water-management mega-project will not be completed, as it has not followed the legal process required under the Constitution," said Prasert Povichien of the Thai Hydra Association.

He was speaking at a public forum organised by the Engineering Institute of Thailand (EIT) to hear criticism of the government's water-management plans. More than 50 water experts and engineers attended and commented on the plan to build infrastructure for water resources management and to prevent massive flooding.

Prasert said that under Article 67 of the Constitution, the government must conduct environmental and health impact assessments (EHIAs) for each sub-project under its mega-project and win the acceptance of local people who might be affected by the schemes. However, EHIAs have not been conducted for most of the projects under the Bt350-billion plan or won approval from the authorities, he asserted.

Moreover, most of the projects will not be completed within five years as designated in the terms of reference, because each of them entails huge construction such as floodways and flood-diversion works, which require more than five years to complete, he said.

There is also the need to expropriate land from local people, he added.

CRITERIA QUESTIONED

EIT president Suwat Chaopricha questioned the government's criteria for selecting the final contractors from those currently qualified for bidding, as it had said that it would only study each contender's technique, time and budget for each of the projects.

"We need criteria that are based on engineering principles in selecting the final contractors. The decision should not be based on the committee's feelings," he said.

Environmentalist Thong-chai Pannasawat wondered who would pay compensation and interest if a contractor had already conducted an environmental impact assessment or EHIA, but was then unable to enter the construction site because of a protest by the local community.

Moreover, he asked which state agencies would sign the contracts.

Subin Pinkhayan, president of the Thai Hydra Association, said it was possible that contenders would have only a month to calculate their bids for the projects, which are to be submitted to the Water and Flood Manage-ment Commission (WFMC) for the final round.

It would also be difficult for the contractors to get bank guarantees within such a limited time scale, he added.

In a bid to alleviate the experts' concerns, Apichart Anukularmphai, chairman of the WFMC's subcommittee for academic and project analysis, insisted that the government would only meet the construction costs for contractors successful in the final round if their EHIA reports |had been approved and their plans had won acceptance from the local community.

"Don't worry that we will get fooled again and have to pay huge compensation to the contractors. I am sure we will not make the same mistakes as past governments, as in the Hopewell rail project and other mega-projects."

Moreover, the WFMC will hire a project management consulting company, an engineering consultant and a project supervisor, he said.

-- The Nation 2013-02-14

[Melyn]

Waterworld Part XXIII

The Crab and the Cat

[Buchholz]

Prasert said that under Article 67 of the Constitution, the government must conduct environmental and health impact assessments

Yet another reason to get rid of the evil junta constitution of 2007. The environment and public health are of no noteworthy concern. Streamline it out with the new Pheu Thai Party constitution so that corruption can proceed unhindered by such trivial matters.

There's 350 Billion Baht that needs to be "distributed" quickly and besides what do these water experts know, anyway. The only expert needed is the brilliant new Water Minister (in waiting) Plodprasop.

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Edited February 14, 2013 by Buchholz

[smutcakes]

So many experts with so many different opinions...............who knows who to believe.

Members of the Thai Hydra and Engineering society commenting on the legal process required under constitution, about bank finance- where does their field of expertise stop.

I would be far more concerned with the likely corruption that will go with this and every other project ever implemented in Thailand it seems.

Flooding in Thailand is probably a natural geographical. I am not sure a project as complex and disruptive as this would ever be finished. They may be better spending the money on smaller local flood damage reduction measures, enhanced early warning systems, communication tools, fast response units to assist, increased capacity drainage options etc etc I doubt they would ever be able to stop wholesale flooding, so no real point trying, other than getting hands on the cash.

[dcutman]

I think the main objective is securing the Bt350 Billion by June 30th. What happens with the money after that, nobody will know for years. Its not a very clever or original way of redistributing money, but very effective.

[Robby nz]

Moreover, the WFMC will hire a project management consulting company, an engineering consultant and a project supervisor, he said.

That way we will have someone to blame when the whole thing runs out of money and otherwise goes belly up.

[seminomadic]

Make the project a reality show so that at worst, for posterity's sake, people can see what a CF public works projects are here. At best, filming it closely just might inhibit some of the 'me me me' by all parties concerned.

[belg]

why waiste 350 billion baht ?

it flooded because of mismanagement for the dams...

so give those poor lads a waterdam management course

how much would that cost ?

certainly not 30% of those 350 billion baht in graft money, would it ?

the floods were so 2011 .... 2 years later and nothing done yet, so why start now ???

[HUAHIN62]

I wonder if the "experts" is shooting down the plan because the leading company are from Korea and have its own experts/engineers? If you give the people the choice between the water management system and another flood what they choose?

[h90]

Prasert said that under Article 67 of the Constitution, the government must conduct environmental and health impact assessments

Yet another reason to get rid of the evil junta constitution of 2007. The environment and public health are of no noteworthy concern. Streamline it out with the new Pheu Thai Party constitution so that corruption can proceed unhindered by such trivial matters.

There's 350 Billion Baht that needs to be "distributed" quickly and besides what do these water experts know, anyway. The only expert needed is the brilliant new Water Minister (in waiting) Plodprasop.

.

we could name it "Peoples Constitution".

[jackhardoon]

well said concerning the evil junta from mr t. shitnawatr as p.m.his old cronies are all in their right places and position NOW to push the project thru speedily since they all have experience from creating the airliner hub called SUVANABHUM AND THAT WAS CREATED BEFORE ANY EHIA environmental and health impact assessments WAS NEVER ADDRESSED.AND STILL BEING DONE

NOW THAT THEY HAVE THE LITTLE LEAGUE MATURING AND HAVE BEEN WELL EDUCATED AS DOCTORS OF THE POCKET YOURS NOT MINE ATTITUDE. ARE WE GOING TO SEE THE CREATION OF CHOAPHYA 2 BUILD BY MONGOLIAN ENGINEER AND DESIGN AND FINANCED BY CHINA THAT THE BIG BROTHER HAS PREARRANGED AND USING THE MONEY THEY EARNED FROM PREVIOUS EXPLOITATION TO BE FILTERED BACK TO THAI SOCIETY NICELY DRY CLEANED FROM A FAMOUS ACCOUNT NAMED AMPLY RICH IN SINGAPORE.

WHEN IS THIS EVER GOING TO STOP ITS GETTING TO BE A BURDEN TO ALL THAIS, WE WILL NOT FORGET NOR FORGIVE

[waza]

OK so far the PTP have done everything wrong if they want to succeed but everything right if they want to corrupt.

[hellodolly]

I wonder if the "experts" is shooting down the plan because the leading company are from Korea and have its own experts/engineers? If you give the people the choice between the water management system and another flood what they choose?

Depends on if it is a Thai water management system or another country.

Remember we have to look good.

Must not look like we need help.

We are the all seeing all knowing Thai.

[hellodolly]

"Water experts and engineers expressed concern yesterday that the government would not be able to go ahead with its plan to complete the Bt350-billion water-management plan because of mismanagement over the bidding process and environmental hurdles."

I could have told them that.

I for sure am not an expert but I do know some thing about the way the PT mishandle money.

[bigbamboo]

I hope those Japanese car makers don't read this after all the PM's promises to the contrary.

[siampolee]

One is led to wonder given as how the flood relief funds were administered just how the funds for this for this somewhat ambitious project ( which is a major engineering undertaking ) are going to be '' administered? ''

[Nickymaster]

OK so far the PTP have done everything wrong if they want to succeed but everything right if they want to corrupt.

But...you have to be corrupt to succeed here in Thailand. And...nobody here minds corruption as long as they can share.

[dcutman]

Environmentalist Thong-chai Pannasawat wondered who would pay compensation and interest if a contractor had already conducted an environmental impact assessment or EHIA, but was then unable to enter the construction site because of a protest by the local community.

Locals have already begun to show their displeasure with some of these flood prevention scams project(s). Recent history has shown how persistent and violent protests here in LOS can get. Not to mention the acts of sabotage in the 2011 floods on the current flood control measures.

[ginjag]

Environmentalist Thong-chai Pannasawat wondered who would pay compensation and interest if a contractor had already conducted an environmental impact assessment or EHIA, but was then unable to enter the construction site because of a protest by the local community.

Locals have already begun to show their displeasure with some of these flood prevention scams project(s). Recent history has shown how persistent and violent protests here in LOS can get. Not to mention the acts of sabotage in the 2011 floods on the current flood control measures.

Just to note a little bird told me all the flood money-in compo., has NOT yet been paid...has anyone heard anything similar ???? some people are still without ???

[Thai at Heart]

Quite humorous how Korean companies win this, since of course they aren't constrained by anti bribery laws like those from the eu or usa.