Three ministries join hands to prepare Thailand for drought

[webfact]

Three ministries join hands to prepare Thailand for drought

BANGKOK, 6 October 2014 (NNT) - Three ministries have discussed measures to handle the upcoming drought that is expected to be more severe than in the past year.

Agriculture Minister Pitipong Puengboon Na Ayudhaya said that it is expected that the approaching drought will be more severe and last longer than usual because of low level of rainfall in the past year.

Mr. Pitipong said that official estimate showed that there would be only 6.5 million cubic meters of water at four major dams, including Bhumibol, Sirikit, Kwae Noi and Pasak by November 1.

The information Mr. Pitipong gave out was derived from his meeting with Interior Minister Gen. Anupong Paochinda and Natural Resources Minister Gen. Dapong Ratanasuwan on Sunday.

The meeting was intended to enable all related units to be aware of the current water situation and to start the preparation for assistance for those who would be affected by drought, the Agriculture Minister said.

He added that there was also a discussion on measures to help farmers who are asked to halt their farming activities during the drought season, such as career training. The details of all measures will be presented for the Cabinet to consider and approve on October 14.


-- NNT 2014-10-06

[Barney R]

Drought !!!!!!! Crikey they don't know what drought is . If they managed water properly instead of wasting it like no other country I know . If the government actually educated farmers in proper water management and stop the use of flood irrigation for the growing of rice that alone would insure that they would never have a water shortage again .

[halloween]

Couple of years of drought might lessen the resistance to dam building. A flood or two in the following years might be necessary to drive the point home.

[chainarong]

If you come from a dry country like I do you will know B/S when you see this type of crap being dished up, it will take more that three ministries joining hands to fix the problems , If out back OZ had a quarter of what Thailand gets a year it would be the leading rice growing country in Asia, then again joining four hands might do the trick, if they wash them .

[Fiddlesticks]

He added that there was also a discussion on measures to help farmers who are asked to halt their farming activities during the drought season, such as career training.

Perhaps they could train to be government officials. The bulk of the training would entail holding hands with other officials and sitting around talking about important issues like flooding out villages, crops and destroying people's livelihoods. One has to believe that the rice farmers are as capable as the current bunch of officials.

[Eric Loh]

Full of admiration for the Generals who seem to know everything beside military stuff. They could fit in any role effortlessly.

[Baerboxer]

Full of admiration for the Generals who seem to know everything beside military stuff. They could fit in any role effortlessly.

Almost as effortlessly as a one business woman can fit into the dual roles of PM and DM with no experience what so ever.

Still, she benefited from "her choice" of caddy, apparently.

[Don Aleman]

Hells bells, send up a fleet of those cloud seeding planes spreading expensive chemicals that the rest of the world abandoned decades ago as a waste of time.

It makes the natives happy !

[marios]

"Mr. Pitipong said that official estimate showed that there would be only 6.5 million cubic meters of water at four major dams, including Bhumibol, Sirikit, Kwae Noi and Pasak by November 1"

6.5 million cubic meters?? Dear Lord!! In tiny Cyprus where I come from, if the dams reach that level then there will be church services begging God for rain. I cannot believe this number. If true, ready yourselves to flush the toilet with Singha water.

[Chao Lao Beach]

So what is going to triple in price this year blamed on the drought ?

Any suggestions ?

[bertty]

_{Let them hold hands. If they don't they might get 'sad'.}

[cbluck58]

Great idea - it gives us all three entities to blame for the inevitable cock ups that will ensue.

They had better join 10 or so ministries to deflect the flood cock ups that will follow, just in case....

[cbluck58]

Unless they can find 2 Burmese migrant workers to blame of course !

[Cake Monster]

This is Thai speak for " we are going to put up prices of everything " and use a water shortage as the excuse.

Edited October 7, 2014 by Cake Monster

[bangon04]

Are these the same ministries which are responsible for the flood management in Thailand?