Drought is greater worry than floods: Anupong

[Lite Beer]

Drought is greater worry than floods: Anupong
The Sunday Nation September 14, 2014 1:00 am

Anupong

BANGKOK: -- Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paochinda said yesterday he is more concerned about possible drought in the coming dry season than floods.

Anupong said if a storm forecast for next week was not severe then the flood situation should be fine.

"The existing information shows that the mass of water coming downstream is not much. In fact, water volume is small this year. If there are no big storms for the rest of the year, the situation should be fine," he said.

"What we are worried about is the drought situation," he said.

Anupong made this statement prior to his meeting with governors of 19 provinces from central and lower northern regions in Chai Nat province.

The minister said he was in contact with Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, who expressed concerns about the flood situation in a phone chat with him on Friday and said the government would be vigilant despite a comment by the Meteorological Department that the country has so far received less rain than usual this year.

Between this coming Tuesday to Friday, a storm from China's Hainan Island may lead to more rain in the north and northeast regions. This year, the department expects the rainy season to end by October.

Concern is now focusing on the Chao Phraya river basin as well as the Tha Chin river basin.

In regard to flooded areas in the North, the government had sent related officials to assist local people already, Anupong said.

He said the forecast is that there could be a possible flood in the next season so necessary preparations should be made.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Drought-is-greater-worry-than-floods-Anupong-30243230.html

-- The Nation 2014-09-14

[chainarong]

Over the past hundred years Thailand has had plenty of opportunities to formulate a policy , build and provide plenty of water for all of Thailand, it has been a dereliction of duty from past administrations to do this , principally because previous administrations (Junta's) especially have been corrupt or in later years under the disguise of Democracy corrupt and what's in it for me, this doesn't remedy the problem , but it points the finger where the blame lies, Anupong is correct , life only exists because of water, the problem is there to be fixed, how about doing it.

[culicine]

"drought" is all relative. If you want to plant rice in the dry season, of course there will be a drought. Thais have no idea what a drought is. Ask Australians about it.

[JohnThailandJohn]

Over the past hundred years Thailand has had plenty of opportunities to formulate a policy , build and provide plenty of water for all of Thailand, it has been a dereliction of duty from past administrations to do this , principally because previous administrations (Junta's) especially have been corrupt or in later years under the disguise of Democracy corrupt and what's in it for me, this doesn't remedy the problem , but it points the finger where the blame lies, Anupong is correct , life only exists because of water, the problem is there to be fixed, how about doing it.

Be realistic -- droughts cause wide spread havoc even in first world countries.

[metisdead]

Off topic deflection posts have been removed as well as the replies.

[fab4]

More sour grapes.. its quite normal for political coalitions to fall apart. Nothing wrong with that. God your moaning brightens up my day to see that your party is brought down. Long live the Junta (everything better as Taksin and Charlem)

On topic now

Drought might be a greater worry but when I was flooded i surely hated it and hated how YL lied to everyone that we were safe until the water was just a few KM away from us and then it was too late. I am sure they had satellite and areal pictures but they lied to safe face. The army was the great saviour then I remember their trucks giving us supplies and transporting people so much better as that lying government.

I can only hope that the Junta is giving out real information and really helps the people hurt by the water. I am quite sure they are judging on the performance of the army in the great flood of 2011. But if not id judge them just as harshly. Being flooded is not nice but not having accurate information about how long or if more is coming is nerve wrecking. Just giving out good info to the people who are hit is a good thing even if it is bad news.

Like the article states and like i have noticed is that there is less rain this time as in previous years the problem is it came in the wrong areas. You cant always counter flooding or save it all. Some places should just be given up, the people compensated and moved out. Sometimes its impossible or too expensive to save them all. In the Netherlands where i come from they are giving water more room because of the changing climate. Some people who have houses in certain areas that were never save have been told that they cant be saved all the time (talking about isolated houses in spillways). I think this is reasonable why spend many millions for a few houses that are just in the wrong area.

I hope this junta gets the water projects kicked off not like the previous government who only worked to get the puppet master back and by doing so led us to the coup.

What sour grapes. I was just commenting on the Interior Ministers past history and how it will help to "perform to the best of his ability". If he doesn't, well, he'll just be kicked out as the General PM said.

"Just giving out good info to the people who are hit is a good thing even if it is bad news."

Mmm, didn't think you were in favour of "white lies" Will the Democrat Party table a parliamentary question about this behaviour, as they did last time this happened?

"I hope this junta gets the water projects kicked off not like the previous government who only worked to get the puppet master back and by doing so led us to the coup."

I'm sure they will , having shelved the PTP projects on the 8th June and with the rainy season and floods upon us now. The original projects were stopped by the EC in December 2013 until after the "February 2nd Election" (cough, cough, ahem ) because it might violate Article 181 of the last Constitution "in regard to the use of state resources for election campaign".

Quite what that has to do with your little fantasy about "the previous government who only worked to get the puppet master back and by doing so led us to the coup", I really have no idea.

Good info as in real info nothing sugar coated. (sorry for the English mistake)

The previous government was in power how long after 2011 ? years.. and end of 2013 still nothing done. Seems irresponsible. They were however busy getting Taksin back.. resulting in the coup problems with the EC. Without getting that convicted criminal back they would be still in power and might have done some good flood wise. They brought the coup onto themselves by working for Taksin instead of working for the people.

It's not "good info" or even "real info".

The idea that the Water Management Scheme was delayed because the PTP government were allegedly using all their energies on "getting Thaksin back" is as simplistic as it is juvenile.

This is what happened;

January 19, 2012

Water management Plan drawn up

Thailand's government has drawn up a 300 billion baht ($9.4 billion) plan for water management and flood prevention schemes along the Chao Phraya river basin to prevent a repeat of devastating floods last year.

Outgoing Finance Minister Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala has said another 50 billion baht could be spent on 17 related river basins and other infrastructure.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/19/us-thailand-flood-fb-idUSTRE80I0C320120119

September 2012

Projects to Tender

The government has put long-term water management projects worth more than $9bn up for tender to Thai and multinational companies, with a promise to ensure the tender process will be fair and transparent.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-19462160

February 2013

Legal Challenges to Bidding procedure

The Thai government faces a legal challenge to the bidding procedures for a THB350 billion (USD11.7 billion) water-management scheme – drawn up in the wake of massive flooding in 2011 - over concerns about the likelihood of corruption in the contract process.

http://www.cleanbiz.asia/news/strong-whiff-corruption-thailand’s-water-mega-project#.VBUdimuikdU

16th June 2013

Bidding for the 350-Billion-Baht Water Management Scheme

The Government has reaffirmed that the bidding for its 350-billion-baht water management scheme is transparent. Starting in July 2013, it will organize road shows at various river basins to communicate with local people and provide better understanding about the project.

http://thailand.prd.go.th/view_news.php?id=6813&a=2

5th October 2013

Deals under Bt350-bn water and flood scheme set to be finalised in January

BANGKOK: -- The government is expected to sign water-project contracts with four contractors in January, following the completion of the nationwide public forum to be held in those provinces affected by the water projects.

The signing of the contracts, under the Bt350-billion water and flood management scheme, has been delayed on the Administrative Court's order to enable those affected by the water projects to take part in the public forum - expected to begin on October 15 and to be completed within two months.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/672522-thai-water-and-flood-scheme-govt-to-sign-contracts-after-public-forum/#entry6891049

December 27th 2013

EC delays referendum on Water Management Scheme

Mr Puchong said the EC has instructed the government to delay completion of the referendum on the Bt350 billion water management projects, which has already been conducted in 74 provinces, until after the elections.

The referendum is pending in three provinces – Nakhon Pathom, Kanchanaburi and Bangkok.

The EC was concerned that the referendum will affect the government and the elections including the use of state resources for the purpose, said Mr Puchong.

http://www.mcot.net/site/content?id=52bd1f31150ba0547400021a#.VBUfXWuikdU

9th June 2014

Junta halts Water management Projects

The NCPO reportedly issued an order to suspend the scheme to all relevant government agencies last Friday, but the authenticity of the order was questioned.

However, NCPO official Colonel Weerathat Srisai said yesterday the decision was authentic and the scheme had been put on hold - but not terminated.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732826-thai-water-scheme-firms-accept-ncpo-delay/#entry7946387

[tonbridgebrit]

Drought AND floods are a big worry.

[rubl]

"more concerned about possible drought in the coming dry season than floods"

And first price in stating the obvious goes to ... ...

[rubl]

It's not "good info" or even "real info".

The idea that the Water Management Scheme was delayed because the PTP government were allegedly using all their energies on "getting Thaksin back" is as simplistic as it is juvenile.

This is what happened;

-- long, carefully selected list of article removed ---

A case of selective memory syndrome.

So, end of January 2012 a special decree to allow the Yingluck government to borrow 350 billion Baht before July 2013. A budget outside the National Budget to keep things simple.

A special decree necessary as this was really, really urgent. So urgent it seems that maybe Environmental Impact Studies were forgotten. Oh, and the need to inform the locals about the grandesse the Bangkok government will bestow on them, is that really necessary?

With all the rush the Yingluck government saw itself requiring to create a budget in the 2013/2014 National Budget. Not sure where, maybe in the planned 200 billion deficit? At least the RPPS costs were not in the National Budget, that helped. Some of the work also seemed to have appeared in the 2.2 trillion Baht infrastructure plan.

Of course, I will not remind you of the "blanket amnesty bill" efforts, that would be unfair

[Asiantravel]

“He said the forecast is that there could be a possible flood in the next season so necessary preparations should be made.”

Maybe it would be beneficial for Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paochinda to speak directly with Dr Seri Suparathit, director of Climate Changes and Disasters Centre of Rangsit University, who said just two days ago “Thailand is expected to be hard hit by widespread drought next year”

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/759723-dr-seri-predicts-widespread-drought-in-thailand-next-year/

[fab4]

It's not "good info" or even "real info".

The idea that the Water Management Scheme was delayed because the PTP government were allegedly using all their energies on "getting Thaksin back" is as simplistic as it is juvenile.

This is what happened;

-- long, carefully selected list of article removed ---

A case of selective memory syndrome.

So, end of January 2012 a special decree to allow the Yingluck government to borrow 350 billion Baht before July 2013. A budget outside the National Budget to keep things simple.

A special decree necessary as this was really, really urgent. So urgent it seems that maybe Environmental Impact Studies were forgotten. Oh, and the need to inform the locals about the grandesse the Bangkok government will bestow on them, is that really necessary?

With all the rush the Yingluck government saw itself requiring to create a budget in the 2013/2014 National Budget. Not sure where, maybe in the planned 200 billion deficit? At least the RPPS costs were not in the National Budget, that helped. Some of the work also seemed to have appeared in the 2.2 trillion Baht infrastructure plan.

Of course, I will not remind you of the "blanket amnesty bill" efforts, that would be unfair

Or you could actually read my post and tell me what part of it is incorrect instead of pontificating on budgets etc.

The as you call it "carefully selected" list that you removed (isn't it against forum rules to edit a persons post, Oh I forgot those rules don't appply to you) was as I found it whilst searching on the web. I welcome your exhaustive research above but it really doesn't add anything to the assertion I was replying to i.e the water management scheme was delayed because the PTP government was using all its energy "getting Thaksin back"

But thanks anyway.

Edited September 14, 2014 by fab4

[FangFerang]

Nobody -- of any color -- has ever done anything about this because it costs money and is not very profitable. Expect big proclamations and zero action in the near and near-distant future your grandchildren live in.

[rubl]

It's not "good info" or even "real info".

The idea that the Water Management Scheme was delayed because the PTP government were allegedly using all their energies on "getting Thaksin back" is as simplistic as it is juvenile.

This is what happened;

-- long, carefully selected list of article removed ---

A case of selective memory syndrome.

So, end of January 2012 a special decree to allow the Yingluck government to borrow 350 billion Baht before July 2013. A budget outside the National Budget to keep things simple.

A special decree necessary as this was really, really urgent. So urgent it seems that maybe Environmental Impact Studies were forgotten. Oh, and the need to inform the locals about the grandesse the Bangkok government will bestow on them, is that really necessary?

With all the rush the Yingluck government saw itself requiring to create a budget in the 2013/2014 National Budget. Not sure where, maybe in the planned 200 billion deficit? At least the RPPS costs were not in the National Budget, that helped. Some of the work also seemed to have appeared in the 2.2 trillion Baht infrastructure plan.

Of course, I will not remind you of the "blanket amnesty bill" efforts, that would be unfair

Or you could actually read my post and tell me what part of it is incorrect instead of pontificating on budgets etc.

The as you call it "carefully selected" list that you removed (isn't it against forum rules to edit a persons post, Oh I forgot those rules don't appply to you) was as I found it whilst searching on the web. I welcome your exhaustive research above but it really doesn't add anything to the assertion I was replying to i.e the water management scheme was delayed because the PTP government was using all its energy "getting Thaksin back"

But thanks anyway.

At times I really wonder if you're English or even understand English.

1. I didn't say any of your posts and links provided were wrong. I only point out that certain aspects seem to have slipped your mind / memory.

2. The first part of your post remained unchanged

3. I did not see a reason to repeat the long list and therefor replaced it with "long, carefully selected list of article removed"

4. rules apply to all posters. Saying rules don't apply to me can be seen as a lie and/or express baiting.

5. the delay of the WMP was because of improper following of procedures and rules. You're selection of links suggest it was out of anything the Yingluck Government could control.

Cheers,

uncle rubl

[Don Aleman]

In many nations water is the new GOLD already !

[Eddy B]

Why do they not just build water holding facilites around Thailand, similar to silos that hold gas. When it rains alot get tanker trucks that can suck up extra water from rivers and take it to the silos. When their is a drought use the water from the storage silos for the crops.