Water poaching by upstream farmers prompts irrigation officials to seek Thai Army help

[webfact]

Water poaching by upstream farmers prompts irrigation officials to seek Army help



BANGKOK: -- Water shortage for farming has reached crisis levels in many central provinces with irrigation officials now are seeking help from the Army to patrol irrigation canals to prevent upstream farmers from breaking their water rationing rules.

The latest move came after downstream farmers complained water in irrigation canals released by dams did not reach their farmlands as upstream farmers clandestinely pumped water for their farms, leaving no water left despite of water rationing rules were set.

This has happened with upstream farmers in Chai Nat and downstream farmers in Suphan Buri.

Despite that the government has earlier asked that farmers delayed cultivation until next month when rains will come, but some farmers did not listen and went ahead with the cultivation as they said it is now rainy season and the right time for cultivation.

But it was not so as this year’s rainy season has arrived late, adding more serious water shortage to the current drought in the country.

Upstream farmers and downstream farmers who have begun planting now are in need of water to keep their rice alive till the rain comes.

As water supply through irrigation canals was restricted on rotation basis, downstream farmers are complaining that water from the dam did not reach their farms as it was stolen from the upstream farmers.

This prompted irrigation officials to seek help from the Army to help patrol the irrigation canals to make sure that upstream farmers abided by the rules of water rationing for farming along the 104 kilometre long irrigation canal known as Klong Makham Tao-Uthong stretching from Chai Nat province to Suphan Buri province.

The 12th Regional Irrigation Office said it has announced the rationing measures, and also informed farmers of both provinces of the necessity.

It asked for the cooperation from farmers to abide by the water schedules so that everyone receives their fair share but to no avail as many farmers persist in defying the orders.

It admitted that it has asked the Army to intervene by posting patrols along the entire 104-km stretch of the canal. Anyone found clandestinely pumping water will have the keys and drive belts to the pumps confiscated which will only be returned to them when it is their turn to receive water.

According to the irrigation office’s rationing measures, farms along the terminus sections will be given priority to receive water eventually moving in steps to other farms upstream.

But in practice, many farmers along the middle and upper sections have chosen to ignore the orders and have blatantly pumped waters destined for farms downstream for their own farms instead.

One farmer on the downstream section of the Klong Makham Thao – Uthong canal said according to official orders, farms along sections of the canals take turns in receiving irrigation water in 3 day shifts.

For example, for the first three days farms 1, 2, 3, 4 will receive water and then farms 5, 6, 7, 8 will receive their 3 day quota which continues to farms number 9, 10, 11 and 12.

This however can only be achieved if farms upstream play by the rules and do not pump water into their own farms first which leaves nothing for farmers downstream,” he said.

The Klong Makham Thao – Uthong canal stretches is divided into two 57 kms main sections.

The first section is in Chai Nat province while the second section is located in Suphan Buri province.

Poaching water is a regular occurrence along both sections during every farming season but this year the situation has worsened tremendously because of the severe drought and the late arrival of rains.

It is now well into the in-season rice growing season and most farms had already seeded their fields in expectance of the arrival of the seasonal rains which sadly has not arrived.

Compound this with the strict water rationing whereby each farm is allowed to pump water into their fields only once every week, many farmers concerned for their crops have chosen to clandestinely pump water into their fields.

Regardless of the official measures to apportion water equally to all farms along the Klong Makaham Thao – Uthong canal, even farms further upstream are faced with difficulties.

One farmer said that he had no choice but to wait for the arrival of the rains as he had no funds to purchase the necessary pumping equipment let alone the fuels to power them.

He said water shortage was bad since the previous off-season farming and has deteriorated further with the arrival of the in-season growing season.

But there is no water for farming, he said, adding that this year is the worse as no water has reached his farms and he has to wait for the rains.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/water-poaching-by-upstream-farmers-prompts-irrigation-officials-to-seek-army-help


-- Thai PBS 2015-06-23

[ratcatcher]

"But it was not so as this year’s rainy season has arrived late, adding more serious water shortage to the current drought in the country."

Many would argue that it is still in transit.

[uty6543]

The farmers seem to have learnt from politicians not content with stealing a little bit got to take as much as they can get without regard for the affect it has on everyone else.

[Just1Voice]

The "Me first" mentality. This could get ugly.

[seajae]

as seen elsewhere there are many that dont care for anyone else but themselves and ignore the rules/laws to suit them. The army should go in and seize their crops or simply give the rights to those they stole the water from, they learn nothing unless it involves losing lots of money. Way past time they started forcing these people to adhere to the regulations, seizing their crops would be a good start, leave them just enough to feed themselves and take the rest to compensate the ones that these farmers screwed over by stealing their water rations.

Edited June 23, 2015 by seajae

[Robby nz]

Farmers are in a bad way with this drought with many having no income so far this year, although the ones in the OP seem better off than some as they are getting some water even if it isn't all they would like.

Now if only someone could convince those who live in BKK and other cities along the river that their cars don't need washing and their toilets don't need flushing 6 or 8 times a day and their plants can do with out watering every day, then there might be more water for the farmers upstream.

The farmers must be amazed at the complaints from those in BKK who have been delayed in their cars by flooding, what they would give for all that lovely water that is being dumped, pumped into the dirty klongs and wasted. Is there no way this flood water can be stored, utilized ?

They see that the city people are going to get a lovely walkway down the river, how about those millions, or is it billions, being spent on desalination gear so sea water can be used in the city. The technology is there to get clean fresh water from the sea why not use it and leave the river water for those who really need it ?

But anyway bring on the rains they are desperately needed and if the don't come in large quantity next year is going to be a national disaster.

[thaipod]

I'm surprised to see many waterways so low in the Bangkok which are fed by the Chao Phaya river. Yesterday the river was the lowest I've seen in many years the ships in their harbours were sitting on the river bed.

[halloween]

Farmers are in a bad way with this drought with many having no income so far this year, although the ones in the OP seem better off than some as they are getting some water even if it isn't all they would like.

Now if only someone could convince those who live in BKK and other cities along the river that their cars don't need washing and their toilets don't need flushing 6 or 8 times a day and their plants can do with out watering every day, then there might be more water for the farmers upstream.

The farmers must be amazed at the complaints from those in BKK who have been delayed in their cars by flooding, what they would give for all that lovely water that is being dumped, pumped into the dirty klongs and wasted. Is there no way this flood water can be stored, utilized ?

They see that the city people are going to get a lovely walkway down the river, how about those millions, or is it billions, being spent on desalination gear so sea water can be used in the city. The technology is there to get clean fresh water from the sea why not use it and leave the river water for those who really need it ?

But anyway bring on the rains they are desperately needed and if the don't come in large quantity next year is going to be a national disaster.

Is there no way this flood water can be stored, utilized ? In short NO.

I am surprised that water restrictions aren't in place in BKK (AFAIK) but BP reported days ago that salinity levels of its drinking water are rising. I would be very much surprised if there were desalination plants capable of supplying BKK's minimum fresh water needs, or even if billions of baht were spent they could be installed in time.

We seem to have a different concept of a national disaster. You seem to see it as farmer's not being able to use huge volumes of water to make a gross profit of B7/5000 litres. I see it as a city of 10 million people running out of drinking water, and the same story being repeated along the river.

[halloween]

"Anyone found clandestinely pumping water will have the keys and drive belts to the pumps confiscated which will only be returned to them when it is their turn to receive water."

How is this non-penalty a disincentive? Get a few keys cut and buy a few spare drive belts, and business as normal.

[ezzra]

Why should they manage their water resources if they can steal it? it's too hard work,

complain and blame every body and put your hands out papa Prayut will come to help..

[NongKhaiKid]

Yesterday an official said there were 90 illegal pumps on the Chao Praya so since somebody seems to have taken the trouble to count them did they bother to do anything about them ?

[Just1Voice]

Yesterday an official said there were 90 illegal pumps on the Chao Praya so since somebody seems to have taken the trouble to count them did they bother to do anything about them ?

No. They were only told to COUNT them. Anything else would have required a ream of paper for things printed in triplicate, with 23 signatures of approval first. And then people to actually DO something like...oh...confiscating them.

[Robby nz]

Farmers are in a bad way with this drought with many having no income so far this year, although the ones in the OP seem better off than some as they are getting some water even if it isn't all they would like.

Now if only someone could convince those who live in BKK and other cities along the river that their cars don't need washing and their toilets don't need flushing 6 or 8 times a day and their plants can do with out watering every day, then there might be more water for the farmers upstream.

The farmers must be amazed at the complaints from those in BKK who have been delayed in their cars by flooding, what they would give for all that lovely water that is being dumped, pumped into the dirty klongs and wasted. Is there no way this flood water can be stored, utilized ?

They see that the city people are going to get a lovely walkway down the river, how about those millions, or is it billions, being spent on desalination gear so sea water can be used in the city. The technology is there to get clean fresh water from the sea why not use it and leave the river water for those who really need it ?

But anyway bring on the rains they are desperately needed and if the don't come in large quantity next year is going to be a national disaster.

Is there no way this flood water can be stored, utilized ? In short NO.

I am surprised that water restrictions aren't in place in BKK (AFAIK) but BP reported days ago that salinity levels of its drinking water are rising. I would be very much surprised if there were desalination plants capable of supplying BKK's minimum fresh water needs, or even if billions of baht were spent they could be installed in time.

We seem to have a different concept of a national disaster. You seem to see it as farmer's not being able to use huge volumes of water to make a gross profit of B7/5000 litres. I see it as a city of 10 million people running out of drinking water, and the same story being repeated along the river.

Installed in time for what ?

If no start is ever made nothing will ever be done, read a little and you will see that 70% of the fresh water for the entire country of Saudi Arabia is supplied by desalination : http://www.greenprophet.com/2009/05/saudi-arabia-desalination/

These plants are also in California and Israel http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-02-13/israel-desalination-shows-california-not-to-fear-drought

There is no reason why a start cant be made to augment the water supply of the countries biggest city instead of relying on a single river system to provide every drop.

Do you really think that if there is no significant rain and the dams dont fill this wet season that the farmers will be the only ones effected ?

Where is all this drinking (and washing) water going to come from if the dams are empty and little is flowing down the river ?

Yes it is possible to collect and direct rain water to where it is needed and it should be done with spouting on all buildings fed into either tanks or into drains made mandatory. This is done in other countries.

Most of the flood water in the streets of BKK runs uncontrolled of buildings it doesn't fall on the road itself.

There was a post on another topic recently from someone saying they put a rubbish bin under the pipe coming from their air con and collected enough condensation to water plants, someone with brains, shows there is more than one way to save water.

[NongKhaiKid]

Yesterday an official said there were 90 illegal pumps on the Chao Praya so since somebody seems to have taken the trouble to count them did they bother to do anything about them ?

No. They were only told to COUNT them. Anything else would have required a ream of paper for things printed in triplicate, with 23 signatures of approval first. And then people to actually DO something like...oh...confiscating them.

Yes I suppose it would necessitate setting up a fact finding committee to decide on and recommend what should be done, then consideration of what's been reported etc. all of which takes TIME and no guarantee of action.

[maidee]

thainess in action, me me me me me FIRST

[toybits]

The more you use the Army to police this kind of matter, the more anti-Junta feeling you will generate. It is really up to the irrigation officials if that is what they want to eventually achieve. You will also have a bunch of really angry villagers to deal with in the future. Not a very wise plan of action - if I may say.

[halloween]

Installed in time for what ?

If no start is ever made nothing will ever be done, read a little and you will see that 70% of the fresh water for the entire country of Saudi Arabia is supplied by desalination : http://www.greenprophet.com/2009/05/saudi-arabia-desalination/

These plants are also in California and Israel http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-02-13/israel-desalination-shows-california-not-to-fear-drought

There is no reason why a start cant be made to augment the water supply of the countries biggest city instead of relying on a single river system to provide every drop.

Do you really think that if there is no significant rain and the dams dont fill this wet season that the farmers will be the only ones effected ?

Where is all this drinking (and washing) water going to come from if the dams are empty and little is flowing down the river ?

Yes it is possible to collect and direct rain water to where it is needed and it should be done with spouting on all buildings fed into either tanks or into drains made mandatory. This is done in other countries.

Most of the flood water in the streets of BKK runs uncontrolled of buildings it doesn't fall on the road itself.

There was a post on another topic recently from someone saying they put a rubbish bin under the pipe coming from their air con and collected enough condensation to water plants, someone with brains, shows there is more than one way to save water.

Installed in time to help this current crisis. I have news for you, BKK isn't in a desert, and most of the time it has abundant water, if not excess. That's why water collection and storage on valuable land isn't done in cities. Its done in dams. And why billions of baht to install desalination to be used once every 10 years is a waste of resources. As is using water for rice farming in a deep drought. See some OTHER experiences with desalination Link doesn't work, google "queensland desalination not used" and look for The australian article.

I lived on tank water for 20 years,in a much drier climate than this. It takes a lot of space to store enough for a family. I would have hooked onto town water in an instant.

Oz suburbs have laws about water retaining for gardens. Our rice farmers have to face the reality, sometimes there isn't enough water.

"In the Riverina, farmers grow annual crops such as rice only when enough water is available......Rice growers are allocated their water last – after the environment, towns, livestock and permanent plantings." http://www.rga.org.au/the-rice-industry/rice-and-the-environment.aspx

Must be a bitch when you there's not enough water and you don't like dams. Oh yeah, it's somebody else's fault.

Edited June 23, 2015 by halloween

[torpedo1970]

but some farmers did not listen and went ahead with the cultivation as they said it is now rainy season and the right time for cultivation.

Thainess at it best

It is now rainy season.... if not rain come, i no care, still have to cultivate rice that need........ wait for it........... RAIN

[geriatrickid]

The farmers seem to have learnt from politicians not content with stealing a little bit got to take as much as they can get without regard for the affect it has on everyone else.

On the contrary, the politicians are drawn from the people. The politicians reflect the character and morality of the population.

It's an easy cop out to blame "politicians". It's time Thais took responsibility for their own behaviour.

Individual responsibility.

[rametindallas]

Anyone found clandestinely pumping water will have the keys and drive belts to the pumps confiscated which will only be returned to them when it is their turn to receive water.

Now that they have announced the measures they will take against water poaching farmers, the water poaching farmers will now invest in spare keys and drive belts. Threaten to confiscate their pumps and let their crops wither might better get their attention/cooperation.

.

[rametindallas]

Installed in time for what ?

If no start is ever made nothing will ever be done, read a little and you will see that 70% of the fresh water for the entire country of Saudi Arabia is supplied by desalination : http://www.greenprophet.com/2009/05/saudi-arabia-desalination/

These plants are also in California and Israel http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-02-13/israel-desalination-shows-california-not-to-fear-drought

There is no reason why a start cant be made to augment the water supply of the countries biggest city instead of relying on a single river system to provide every drop.

Do you really think that if there is no significant rain and the dams dont fill this wet season that the farmers will be the only ones effected ?

Where is all this drinking (and washing) water going to come from if the dams are empty and little is flowing down the river ?

Yes it is possible to collect and direct rain water to where it is needed and it should be done with spouting on all buildings fed into either tanks or into drains made mandatory. This is done in other countries.

Most of the flood water in the streets of BKK runs uncontrolled of buildings it doesn't fall on the road itself.

There was a post on another topic recently from someone saying they put a rubbish bin under the pipe coming from their air con and collected enough condensation to water plants, someone with brains, shows there is more than one way to save water.

Installed in time to help this current crisis. I have news for you, BKK isn't in a desert, and most of the time it has abundant water, if not excess. That's why water collection and storage on valuable land isn't done in cities. Its done in dams. And why billions of baht to install desalination to be used once every 10 years is a waste of resources. As is using water for rice farming in a deep drought. See some OTHER experiences with desalination Link doesn't work, google "queensland desalination not used" and look for The australian article.

I lived on tank water for 20 years,in a much drier climate than this. It takes a lot of space to store enough for a family. I would have hooked onto town water in an instant.

Oz suburbs have laws about water retaining for gardens. Our rice farmers have to face the reality, sometimes there isn't enough water.

"In the Riverina, farmers grow annual crops such as rice only when enough water is available......Rice growers are allocated their water last – after the environment, towns, livestock and permanent plantings." http://www.rga.org.au/the-rice-industry/rice-and-the-environment.aspx

Must be a bitch when you there's not enough water and you don't like dams. Oh yeah, it's somebody else's fault.

San Diego (pop. 1.3 mill.) is building a massive $1 billion desalination plant to fight severe drought: http://inhabitat.com/san-diego-county-is-building-a-massive-1-billion-desalination-plant-to-address-drought/ That's nearly $1,000 dollars per citizen. Before you question my maths, wait for the inevitable cost overruns. This is not a huge expense for wealthy San Diego.

Bangkok has 8.5 millions population so the cost, for a once every decade need, would exceed $15 billion (the maths looks screwy is because I'm taking into account all the graft and corruption endemic in the system). This is a huge sum for middle income Thailand.

Perhaps farmers changing away from water intensive crops would be cheaper. Instead of spending money on desalination plants, that won't be maintained for the years between usage, spend some on helping farmers to transition to less water intensive crops, especially crops for the export market. Thailand has the climate to grow most anything.

After all, a farmer is a farmer and he is not restricted in what he grows except by nature and politics. The farmers should grow the types of crops that protect him from both.

BTW, there are no more suitable large dam sites that haven't already been exploited.

.