Huge crowd shuts down water-plan forum
Suttipong Settharangsee,
Kampanart Khantrakool ,Saichon Srinuanchan
Wattanapon Matcha
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- MORE THAN 10,000 PEOPLE showed up at a public forum on the government's Bt350-billion water-management scheme yesterday to express their opposition, bringing the meeting to a quick end.

The forum was being held at Ratchaburi-based Muban Chombueng Rajabhat Institute.

Provincial governor Nisit Jansomwong also joined local residents in taking a stand against the proposed 34-kilometre long flood-diversion channel, which would run between Samut Songkhram and Ratchaburi provinces.

"We object to this proposal because it is not based on a complete and careful study," Nisit said as he handed in a list of 10,000 people who are opposed to the scheme.

In the wake of the 2011 flood crisis, the government set aside a Bt350-billion budget to overhaul the country's water-management system.

However, details of the modules emerged later and it remains to be seen if the public would endorse all the modules prepared by the Water and Flood Management Commis-sion (WFMC).

The WFMC is getting ready to hold 36 public forums in 36 provinces to listen to the opinions of local residents. Three were held yesterday in Ratchaburi, Chaiyaphum and Suphan Buri.

The forum in Chaiyaphum focused on the proposed construction of the Chi Bon and the Yangnadee dams. More than 200 residents showed up with banners lambasting the plan. They also accused relevant authorities of excluding them when gathering people's opinions.

"We will be the ones suffering directly if the dams are constructed," Nikom Mahadthai said on behalf of the local opponents to the dams. He added his group also found that they had not been invited to attend the forum.

"Only clear beneficiaries of the project have received invitations," he said.

Manop Chomphujan, former chief of Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, said more than 58,000 rai of forestland would have to be cleared for the dam.

"Serious ecological impacts would definitely follow," he warned.

The opposing group was eventually allowed into the public forum, which was being held inside the Chaiyaphum Rajabhat University.

Chaiyaphum Governor Pornsak Jearanai promised to seek help and take remedial action for those affected if the dams do go up.

The forum in Suphan Buri, meanwhile, went ahead smoothly.


-- The Nation 2013-11-28

Looks like the Chaiyaphum governor has already got his pay off...

They are so sneaky, trying to get these forums out of the way with as little fuss as possible.

If we don't invite anyone but people we have paid, it will all be done and dusted by the end of the year

Think they might be in for a shock...

Nice to see the local people turning-up at the government's forums, even if they're the wrong people, ie the ones who aren't happy with the government's decisions !

Do they get the travel-expenses, too, I wonder ?

58,000 rai = 92.8sq km. Quite large dams, or much exaggeration. Google only comes up with a Plod press release.

Get Plod off these planned projects and everything will 'sail in' smoothly. The country needs them - they only need to be explained thoroughly. And Plod is certainly not the man for this job.

Is this a black tie event (see top photo, bottom right).

It does not matter how many people oppose this water management

scheme,the Government will still go ahead with it,not because it might

or might not improve the flooding situation,but because it going to be

a nice earner for those pushing it.personal gain is a lot more important

for these Politicians,than what is best for the people or the Country.

regards Worgeordie

10,000 people? That's a fantastic turn out. The govt wouldn't have known what him em.

Is it finally time to bring this corrupt house of cards down?

Ah well, that's pulled the plug on that wee gig, at least until they can flood future meetings with the Red Tide...

Get Plod off these planned projects and everything will 'sail in' smoothly. The country needs them - they only need to be explained thoroughly. And Plod is certainly not the man for this job.

<deleted>... don't build on floodplains... water has been running away naturally for squillions of years...

It looks as though it's a good thing - all those locals showing up to express themselves.

From an engineering standpoint: That whole basin is essentially flat and nearly sea level. If you divert water from one area, it's going to impact another. Same, if you wall water out, as they're trying to do with Chao Praya, they're also walling water in. It's a lose lose scenario. That whole region, including Bangkok and its surrounding area, is unfit for human habitation. Four words of advice for anyone in Central Thailand: MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND.

Get Plod off these planned projects and everything will 'sail in' smoothly. The country needs them - they only need to be explained thoroughly. And Plod is certainly not the man for this job.

<deleted>... don't build on floodplains... water has been running away naturally for squillions of years...

yeah right! And urbanization, modernization, and industrialization also did not exist "squillions of years" ago.

If it's anything like the other forum that got mobbed.

Where they had paid hundreds of people 800 baht each to shout support for the project.

Another reason why we have Yingluck in the dock on charges of spearheading government corruption.

Do you really think the current government has any real concern for the good of the nation, the main concern is to cream off as much money as they and their pals can from these suspect projects.

10,000 people? That's a fantastic turn out. The govt wouldn't have known what him em.

Is it finally time to bring this corrupt house of cards down?

Seems they can muster about the same number of protesters as the red brigade can attract in Bangkok to their dog and pony show. Wonder if that tells them (the government /reds) something.

Get Plod off these planned projects and everything will 'sail in' smoothly. The country needs them - they only need to be explained thoroughly. And Plod is certainly not the man for this job.

<deleted>... don't build on floodplains... water has been running away naturally for squillions of years...

yeah right! And urbanization, modernization, and industrialization also did not exist "squillions of years" ago.

No, but continual flooding did and will keep happening and poorly thought out schemes will not overcome the problem.

Get Plod off these planned projects and everything will 'sail in' smoothly. The country needs them - they only need to be explained thoroughly. And Plod is certainly not the man for this job.

<deleted>... don't build on floodplains... water has been running away naturally for squillions of years...

yeah right! And urbanization, modernization, and industrialization also did not exist "squillions of years" ago.

No, but continual flooding did and will keep happening and poorly thought out schemes will not overcome the problem.

Not all modules are poorly thought out. But even if they were all vehemently and intelligently designed , the other side will still manipulate the public to say otherwise.

No, but continual flooding did and will keep happening and poorly thought out schemes will not overcome the problem.

off these planned projects and everything will 'sail in' smoothly. The country needs them - they only need to be explained thoroughly. And Plod is certainly not the man for this job.

<deleted>... don't build on floodplains... water has been running away naturally for squillions of years...

yeah right! And urbanization, modernization, and industrialization also did not exist "squillions of years" ago.

Not all modules are poorly thought out. But even if they were all vehemently and intelligently designed , the other side will still manipulate the public to say otherwise.

And rightly so, especially when a major portion of the funds will be lining the pockets of the politicians and their ever smiling friends.

No, but continual flooding did and will keep happening and poorly thought out schemes will not overcome the problem.

off these planned projects and everything will 'sail in' smoothly. The country needs them - they only need to be explained thoroughly. And Plod is certainly not the man for this job.

<deleted>... don't build on floodplains... water has been running away naturally for squillions of years...

yeah right! And urbanization, modernization, and industrialization also did not exist "squillions of years" ago.

Not all modules are poorly thought out. But even if they were all vehemently and intelligently designed , the other side will still manipulate the public to say otherwise.

And rightly so, especially when a major portion of the funds will be lining the pockets of the politicians and their ever smiling friends.

And you're likely right! And if you were, then it's true for every political party in power. We should then stop all currently planned projects, review all past and present projects, and start indicting all involved politicians for corrupt practices, regardless of which party they're in.

YES ! Thai people are starting to realize the power of the people. Whilst there must be a solution found to the flooding problems, it is a delicate balancing act where you can't keep 'robbing Peter to pay Paul' so to speak. Flooding places where people live now to try and alleviate flooding when it does happen is not the solution.The fact that no locals were invited, what more do you expect from a government made of crooks who keep desperately trying to just ram things through regardless of whether anyone else agrees with them or not....?

No, but continual flooding did and will keep happening and poorly thought out schemes will not overcome the problem.

Not all modules are poorly thought out. But even if they were all vehemently and intelligently designed , the other side will still manipulate the public to say otherwise.

And rightly so, especially when a major portion of the funds will be lining the pockets of the politicians and their ever smiling friends.

And you're likely right! And if you were, then it's true for every political party in power. We should then stop all currently planned projects, review all past and present projects, and start indicting all involved politicians for corrupt practices, regardless of which party they're in.

No argument from me on that score. Guilty is guilty from what ever party they originate, plus all family be investigated for unusual wealth back to the 5/6 levels of cousins in necessary. And no trips allowed o/seas to see Olympic games, yurt building in upper Mongolia, or shopping trips. In the slammer and that's where they stay.

How can a dam helps easing the flood when the drainage system are bad?? I think the government should upgrade the drainage system and clearing rubbish off the rivers. I was in the south for few days last week and saw the flood water that can't escape because of the rubbish that is blocking the drains. Part of the flood problems are caused by the people themselves that don't care.

From the OP.

"The forum in Suphan Buri, meanwhile, went ahead smoothly".

Well ain't that a surprise?

Suphan Buri is the stronghold of Banharn Silpa Archa and his merry family whose party just "happen" to be allied with the PTP.

No, but continual flooding did and will keep happening and poorly thought out schemes will not overcome the problem.

off these planned projects and everything will 'sail in' smoothly. The country needs them - they only need to be explained thoroughly. And Plod is certainly not the man for this job.

<deleted>... don't build on floodplains... water has been running away naturally for squillions of years...

yeah right! And urbanization, modernization, and industrialization also did not exist "squillions of years" ago.

Not all modules are poorly thought out. But even if they were all vehemently and intelligently designed , the other side will still manipulate the public to say otherwise.

And rightly so, especially when a major portion of the funds will be lining the pockets of the politicians and their ever smiling friends.

And you're likely right! And if you were, then it's true for every political party in power. We should then stop all currently planned projects, review all past and present projects, and start indicting all involved politicians for corrupt practices, regardless of which party they're in.

That's the first sensible comment you've made on this thread. Water resources (mis)management in Thailand, whichever party is in power, has been going on for over half a century and the more the state builds new projects, the more it compounds existing problems of poor WRM planning and development. Less new infrastructure development and flood-proofing communities through adaptation measures and other "software" approaches will probably be the cheapest and most sensible approach in the long term. It may also meaning relocating certain vulnerable communities to higher ground or totally rethinking building methods, such as more stilted and floating houses could also be a sensible way to move forward, but with a total shakeup of the relationship between the bureaucracy and construction contractors in the meantime.