Mega-project will 'only open the door to corruption'

[webfact]

Mega-project will 'only open the door to corruption'
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation
Nakhon Sawan



BANGKOK: -- THE NAKHON SAWAN Chamber of Commerce warned yesterday that the government's Bt350-billion water and flood-management scheme would only open the door to widespread corruption.

"We have been given little information about this ambitious plan, so we cannot say we agree or disagree with it," Wassana Assaranurak, a representative of the chamber of commerce, said.

She was speaking at a public forum on the scheme held by the Office of the Prime Minister at Nakhon Sawan Rajabhat University.

More than 3,000 locals attended the forum to voice their opinions and concerns about the four key installations - namely the Mae Wong Dam, flood-diversion channel, city protection construction and water-retention areas.

"It seems like the government does not want a real public hearing as it has shortened the process and decided not to provide information to people before they attend the forum," Wassana said. "We are worried that if people are not given true information before attending the hearing, this loophole will lead to corruption."

Moreover, she said, most of the projects under the mega-scheme were not new ones created especially to help solve the flood and drought problems in the area.

Suthi Kongkla, 48, a resident of the Ban Sa Kaew in Lat Yao district, said that even though his village had been suffering from severe floods and drought for a long time, he did not agree with the government's decision to build a huge dam like the Mae Wong. Instead, he said, the authorities could build several small reservoirs, which villagers could tap for irrigation.

Krai Arphon, 63, a villager from Ban Nok Khan also in Lat Yao, said he backed the dam project because he believed it would resolve the flood problems in the area and help with irrigation. He said local villagers had called on the government to build the dam for more than 40 years now, but nothing had been done.

Another villager, who chose to remain unnamed, said he agreed with the plan to build a flood-diversion channel to drain water from the North into the sea, but as this channel would pass through Nakhon Sawan province, he wanted to know if people would be compensated fairly for land used for this.

About 1,500 rai in his village will be expropriated for the channel.

Meanwhile, Montri Supalak from Chumsaeng district, said although locals would benefit from the water-retention plan, they wanted fair compensation for land expropriated as well.

The Water and Flood Management Commission (WFMC) organised a "Water for Life" exhibition at the public forum to explain the nine modules under the mega-project.

WFMC secretary-general Suphot Tovichakchaikul said everybody's opinion would be collected and studied before the project is designed. After that, he said, the WFMC would conduct environmental and health-impact assessments, and hold another public hearing.

But the commission expects to sign construction contracts by early next year, he said.


-- The Nation 2013-11-05

[bkkgriz]

That door opened a long time ago. The horses, cows, sheep, buffalo, ducks and rats bolted long ago. There is nothing left in the barn except the tax payer wondering what the hell happened.

[soundman]

Various politicians and heads of departments are salivating and wringing their hands with glee at the prospect of more than a 100 billion in graft.

[whybother]

That door opened a long time ago. The horses, cows, sheep, buffalo, ducks and rats bolted long ago. There is nothing left in the barn except the tax payer wondering what the hell happened.

I know where the rats went ........ Parliament.

[NongKhaiKid]

Don't you just love some of these earth shattering headlines ?

Corruption in Thailand, impossible ! I'll bet those likely to be involved in the mega projects in any way had the calculators out as soon the idea was first raised in order to work out what's likely to be in it for them at the very minimum.

[clockman]

Politicians in Thailand, are only criminals that have not been caught yet!

[jaltsc]

"THE NAKHON SAWAN Chamber of Commerce warned yesterday that the government's Bt350-billion water and flood-management SCHEME would only open the door to widespread corruption."

There never was a door on those hinges. Only a giant funnel into the pockets of the rich and powerful.

One of the definitions of "scheme" in the English language is: "Make plans, especially in a devious way or with intent to do something illegal or wrong." I believe that is the ONLY definition for the word in the Thai language

[arthurboy]

I sincerely hope that the current protests focus on corruption - not just with the current government - but in Thailand in general.

Corruption is utterly institutionalized throughout every level of society, and it has been that way for a very, very long time.

While this current government and its cronies are undoubtedly gorging themselves around various Baht filled troughs at present, before we all get carried away with blaming Thaksin and Thaksin only, think about the military, police, civil servants, other government officials, etc.

Corruption is only part of the problem, albeit it a big one. The elite and powerful - irrespective of their so-called political affiliations - have abused their position for years and years, and many, many Thai people remain in thrall to them.

Sakdina -power over fields - and servitude to the elite maintains a stranglehold grip on Thailand and its people. This too must change.

If - and it's a big if - the current government and its hangers on were to be ousted from power and replaced by another administration, would this put an end to corruption? Would anything change in the long term?

The people, and only the people, of Thailand have the answer to this.

[worgeordie]

Why bother with Public Forums, the Government is just going to do

it anyway, it seems to have lost touch with the population,and just

pushes ahead with any scheme that will benefit them,not the best

way to run a Country.

regards Worgeordie

[Bakseeda]

I sincerely hope that the current protests focus on corruption - not just with the current government - but in Thailand in general.

Corruption is utterly institutionalized throughout every level of society, and it has been that way for a very, very long time.

While this current government and its cronies are undoubtedly gorging themselves around various Baht filled troughs at present, before we all get carried away with blaming Thaksin and Thaksin only, think about the military, police, civil servants, other government officials, etc.

Corruption is only part of the problem, albeit it a big one. The elite and powerful - irrespective of their so-called political affiliations - have abused their position for years and years, and many, many Thai people remain in thrall to them.

Sakdina -power over fields - and servitude to the elite maintains a stranglehold grip on Thailand and its people. This too must change.

If - and it's a big if - the current government and its hangers on were to be ousted from power and replaced by another administration, would this put an end to corruption? Would anything change in the long term?

The people, and only the people, of Thailand have the answer to this.

Arthurboy, you are re-writing facts we all know so well already , and what on earth is "Sakdina" and your other word should be "enthralled". Better to remain silent and blah,blah,blah....

[bigbamboo]

Open the door to corruption?

I would say rip it off it's remaining hinges would be closer to the mark.