Thai Govt's ' Top-Down' Approach To Water Management Condemned

[webfact]

WATER MANAGEMENT
'Top-down govt flood solutions' condemned
Warattaya Chailanka,
Janjira Jarusupawat,
Janjira Pongrai
The Nation



Groups opposed to dams in North also upset at ban at summit venue

CHIANG MAI: -- At its public forum in Chiang Mai, the People's Network of North and Northeastern River Basins yesterday condemned the Thai government's "top-down" approach to water management.

However, its members did not show up at the 2nd Asia-Pacific Water Summit (APWS) being held in the same province. The convention centre, which hosts the summit and related activities till today, was yesterday surrounded by over 100 red shirts.

In response to controversial comments by Deputy Premier Plodprasop Suraswadi, the reds said they were there to prevent people disrupting the summit. Last week, Plodprasop warned opponents of the government's water-management plans not to protest at the Chiang Mai summit. He said they would face immediate arrests, if they came to protest. He also compared protesters to "garbage", which Chiang Mai residents should not have to "mess around" with.

"This international summit delivers huge benefits to Thais across the country and generates income for Chiang Mai. The Rak Chiang Mai 51 Group will therefore not allow anyone to disrupt the event," local red-shirt Petchawat Wattanasirikul said. He mobilised supporters to "stand guard" around the summit venue.

Plodprasop delivered a welcome address during a session on "Water Security and Water-related Disaster Challenges: Leadership and Commitment". Emomalii Rahmon, president of Tajikistan and a representative of the Hungarian president, also attended the event yesterday.

Leaders and ministers of about 40 countries, including the Sultan of Brunei, will be at the summit today. At the end, the Chiang Mai Declaration will be announced. Plodprasop said the declaration would be a key to successful water management.

In its statement released yesterday, the People's Network of North and Northeastern River Basins said: "While decision makers from various countries are expected to meet during the Asia-Pacific Water Summit, being held in Chiang Mai, most of the agenda tabled for discussion seems to be irrelevant to issues around major environmental and transboundary development projects, and their impact on people's livelihoods... In addition, an attempt has been made by the authorities to clearly silence dissidents by depriving them of their right to freedom of expression, despite it being one of the most fundamental human rights and a part of a democratic rule".

Harnnarong Yaowalert, who chairs Thailand's Foundation for Integrated Water Management, said many people just wanted to express their concerns about the Thai government's Bt350-billion modules on water management and flood prevention.

The Water and Flood Management Commission (WFMC), which is chaired by Plodprasop, is expected to conclude the bidding process for these modules very soon.

Just four firms have tendered bids for the nine modules.

"We only intended to urge the government to proceed in line with the Constitution but the government has described us as 'garbage'," Harnnarong said at the forum. He said environmental impact assessments should be conducted before firms were chosen.

Harnnarong said the fact that the modules had only a small number of bidders also suggested the possibility of bidding collusion.

The People's Network of North and Northeastern River Basins also attacked the WFMC for its "single command" approach.

"We opposes any development of water resources without consultation with local communities. We reject single-command or top-down approaches, which have proven ineffective, and have created additional problems. It is pertinent that participation from all sectors be respected," its statement said.


-- The Nation 2013-05-20

[bigbamboo]

Sounds like they don't trust Plod.

I wonder why?

[Katipo]

Ahhh, the Red Shirts. Democratic when it suits them, bullies & thugs when it doesn't.

[billd766]

""This international summit delivers huge benefits to Thais across the country and generates income for Chiang Mai. The Rak Chiang Mai 51 Group will therefore not allow anyone to disrupt the event," local red-shirt Petchawat Wattanasirikul said. He mobilised supporters to "stand guard" around the summit venue.

By your very prescence YOU are disrupting the event.

Under what law and what rights are you there.

I would love to see about 5 old men and old lady protestors stand outside just to see what these morons would do and in turn what the police and Deputy Premier Plodprasop Suraswadi would do. After all they are only exercising their legal rights.

Edited May 20, 2013 by billd766

[whybother]

In response to controversial comments by Deputy Premier Plodprasop Suraswadi, the reds said they were there to prevent people disrupting the summit. Last week, Plodprasop warned opponents of the government's water-management plans not to protest at the Chiang Mai summit. He said they would face immediate arrests, if they came to protest.

They're employing red shirts to act as police now??

[Neilly]

Leaders and ministers of about 40 countries, including the Sultan of Brunei, will be at the summit today. At the end, the Chiang Mai Declaration will be announced. Plodprasop said the declaration would be a key to successful water management.

I somehow doubt it if Plod's involved

[Robby nz]

Seen myself the reds approach to free speech, for themselves of course but not for others.

Posted these pix of the reds trying to disrupt a Dems meeting on another topic.

It would seem the people in red heartland are not being as trusting as PT would like on this water thing.

It must be difficult to trust when no details are given as to just what is planned.

Particularly when there is talk of getting rid of the environmental protection law.

Wonder what would happen if the water projects wiped out a couple of red villages?

[Lite Beer]

PM's speech during Water Summit

CHIANG MAI, 20 May 2013 (NNT)-Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra earlier this morning delivered a speech on how Thailand is proceeding with the water management plan, as the 2nd Asia-Pacific Water Summit has officially begun.

During her speech, Ms. Yingluck stated that although water is essential for economic growth and lives on earth, the eco system remains off-balance, which has been the cause of frequent and damaging natural disasters in recent years.

The Prime Minister urged everyone to share their thoughts and opinions during the Summit to find solutions to the problems. She also offered some suggestions, such as restoring the environment and having an effective water management system in place, as a means of controlling the level of water.

She stressed the importance of forming regional cooperation and beyond in order to provide people with access to clean water and to sustain economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region. Ms. Yingluck reiterated that Thailand will provide cooperation in 7 areas proposed during the Summit, to be better able to cope with adverse weather changes.

Ms. Yingluck later shared with the delegates her accounts of the 2011 major flood in Thailand and how everyone came together to help one another through the ordeal as well as the reason for investing in the water project.

-- NNT 2013-05-20

[wiyada]

Everyone sharing their thoughts ? That would be apart from the protesters who were not allowed to express their views ?

Democracy allowed only if you agree with the Government ?