Vietnamese plea to Thailand: Don't divert the Mekong

[webfact]

MEKONG
Vietnamese plea to Thailand: Don't divert the Mekong
PRATCH RUJIVANAROM
THE NATION



BANGKOK: - PEOPLE in Vietnam hope Thailand will reconsider its plan to divert water from the Mekong - because it would seriously affect their ability to produce food.

The Mekong Delta is Vietnam's most important agricultural area. Each year, the area produces the most rice and fruit in the country. This region also nurtures many freshwater fish species, which are an important source of protein for local people.

However, this key food production could be jeopardised by large water management projects upriver, Vietnamese experts have warned.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha voiced plans to use water from the Mekong and Salween rivers to fill dams that have run low because of drought and poor water management. But the PM's remarks have caused shockwaves in the Mekong Delta, which would be directly affected if such a project was to go ahead.

Nguyen Huu Thien, a freelance expert on wetland ecology and natural resource conservation, criticised the idea. He said taking a large amount of water out of an international river was like sucking the blood from a body and would surely hurt the livelihood of people downstream.

"I just heard of Thailand's idea to divert water from the Mekong River. I still don't have much information about the plan but I strongly oppose this idea, as a change in the amount of water in the river would definitely have an impact on the people who live in the Mekong Delta and who rely on the river," Thien said.

Thien, who is based in Can Tho, a city in the delta, said extensive use of water upstream had already reduced the river's flow. This had caused many problems such as greater saltwater intrusion, environmental degradation and drought. If Thailand's idea was implemented, more severe impacts would follow.

Ky Quang Vinh, director of Can Tho City Climate Change Coordination Office, was similarly worried. He said the project would change the water flow of the Mekong.

"The project would divert water from the river, which would decrease the amount of water in the delta, especially in the dry season, when the water level is normally low. This would directly impact farmers in the delta and thus the food basket of Vietnam," Vinh said.

Duong Van Tho, an environmental activist from People and Nature Reconciliation, said saltwater intrusion and sediment reduction would be key problems if project goes ahead.

Tho said reducing the river's volume would see saltwater intruding further inland. It would destroy crops such as rice, which cannot tolerate the salt. And sediment loss would cause river erosion and affect the river's biodiversity, having a huge impact on many people who depend on rice and fish.

"Any effort to divert water from the Mekong would only benefit Thailand, but people in Vietnam, downstream of the river, would have to pay a high price, as the farmers and fishermen would suffer a lot," he said. Hieu, a fish trader in Can Tho, said he was worried by Thailand's plan to take water from the Mekong.

"I am concerned that this project, along with dams upstream, will decrease the fish stock in the river. If we cannot rely on fishing anymore, I may have to change jobs," Hieu said.

Li Quan Ba, the manager of Tan An fish market, said people downstream would be seriously affected.

"I want to ask the country up there to carefully consider the project, as it would affect many lives [here]," Ba said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Vietnamese-plea-to-Thailand-Dont-divert-the-Mekong-30266710.html


-- The Nation 2015-08-17

[canuckamuck]

The drought would be over long before any diversion project could be completed.

[deckape]

^^ Thus, forgotten about until it is too late again.

[apetley]

Easy to understand the warnings of possible future wars over water use and shortages when you read news articles like this.

[tbthailand]

Neighbors? What neighbors?

[bangkokfrog]

Amazing! Thailand is the first to cry foul about recent and proposed dam building from its upstream "neighbor" (China), and now plans to divert water at the expense of those downstream.

[robblok]

China does it before it comes to Thailand and Thailand complains, now Thailand want to do the same and Vietnam complains.

Hard choices all around.

[willyumiii]

The drought would be over long before any diversion project could be completed.

The current drought, yes.

But what about the next one, and the next one?

The cycle of drought and flooding never seems to stop in Thailand.

[oneday]

In an over populated world with "Global Warming" and changing weather patterns this was inevitable and it will only get worse and likely lead to war.

[stoli]

The drought would be over long before any diversion project could be completed.

Yes, this drought would be over before completion of a new damn. But it will also be there when the next drought appears, which is the point of the whole exercise. The amount water in our solar system today is the same as millions of years ago, but we do a terrible job in storing it. Damns will be there for all time to help us through droughts.

[metisdead]

Please use discretion in your references to the government. Phrases which can be considered as anti-coup will be removed. Referring to Thailand or the government as a dictatorship, military dictatorship or other such terms will be removed.

[FritsSikkink]

China does it before it comes to Thailand and Thailand complains, now Thailand want to do the same and Vietnam complains.

Hard choices all around.

don't forget Laos

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/special-features/2014/07/140711-mekong-river-laos-thailand-dams-environment/

[mmh8]

pleas for being considerate will fall on death ears. money always talks however.

I see this as similar to the person who erects a 10 story block of flats in the nice neigbourhood, next door to one story bungalows. the new build blocks light, reduces parking availability, reduces land value and allows new inhabitees to invade privacy at will.

This is the Thai way.

Someone ought get on the blower to the Vietnamese and say TIT. karma same same

[Daniel Boon]

Neighbors? What neighbors?

reminds me of 'the man who would be king' movie ... everybody upstream, pissing in the water ...

[chilliman]

Thailand & Laos also have their problems with Mekong river. The Chinese blok a lot of water with dams up there

[Dogmatix]

Not to mention Thailand's construction of dams in the Mekong main stream in Laos like Xayabouri which was in violation of the Mekong Commission agreement and World Bank guidelines. More are on the way.

[dageurreotype]

But the PM's remarks have caused shockwaves in the Mekong Delta, which would be directly affected if such a project was to go ahead.

It won't. Just as all those Economic Free Trade Zones have been put on hold for now/never even though the empty highways have already been built. More hot air and policy on the hoof by the junta.

[boomerangutang]

Until several years ago, the Mekong was one of the very few large rivers in the world which had never been dammed. China has built half of their eight large dams, and probably have more on the drawing boards. Incidentally, China is not a signatory to the Mekong River Commission. Perhaps it thinks it's too big and important to be bothered with a silly little Commission like that. More likely, it simply doesn't want to listen to issues voiced by little countries to its south.

If you care about the Mekong, take a trip along part of its course. It's a cool river, with rocky outcrops along most of its length. Already, many of those rocks are being blasted to enable barges easier float lanes. Amazing fish species (including giant stingrays and river dolphins) have disappeared lately. It's a dying river. Asians are not doing a good enough job of maintaining its majesty. Are they not able? Do they not give a damn? Actions speak louder than words. ......and then there's the Salween coursing down on Thailand's west side. That river is also being screwed, largely thanks to the biggest boy on the block: China.

[jcb2001]

I fear this problem will end up with the UN trying to resolve it.

[blazes]

Beggar thy neighbour.

[jlwilliamsjr18]

Plain and Simple....Thailand has no right to divert an international river. Bad enough the Chinese have seen fit to alter the flow with numerous dams. This kind of thinking, brings the Apocalypse closer day by day.

[Ricardo]

No need to worry, they'll use those South Korean pumps, ordered in 2011 when Bangkok was flooding !

[Seastallion]

Neighbors? What neighbors?

Thais know they exist, because the neighbour's people come here.....but exactly where on a map they are is anybody's guess.

[Seastallion]

""I am concerned that this project, along with dams upstream,"

Yes, allude to, but don't mention, the biggest water thief, China.

[ginjag]

Please use discretion in your references to the government. Phrases which can be considered as anti-coup will be removed. Referring to Thailand or the government as a dictatorship, military dictatorship or other such terms will be removed.

Well said. This government was elected by a sizable majority.

Yes 36% so had to beg a coalition. this was PTP and the extra strong Thaksin money influence.

[mango66]

cHINA TAKE WHAT THEY LIKE AND WANT;

PUT A SHIT ON EVERY COMPLAINT,

the water is not from Vietnam - the most -

so why shoud Thailand not take also their part;

PM Prayouth go ahead !!

Take the amount what belongs honestly to Thailand;

Voietnam Cry that get salt water in the river,

this is of that the sea level is rising,

and all countries which have river to the sea facing same problems !!

[lockman]

Something never addressed is gates to block the in rushing sea water. Oh the water will be salty without sufficient outflow. Don't divert water to grow food.

[Fullstop]

On the bright side...if Vietnam went to war and won..at least Thailand would have better management...

[Brer Fox]

History tell us this is the sort of thing that starts wars; stealing natural resources from a neighboring country. Fortunately these days Thailand hasn't shown much heart for a fight and usually rolls over submissively to any country that look like moving in on them. Thailand should think twice about such a move as it might been seen by China as provocative and an excuse for them to take even more water from the Mekong. Vietnam and China are not best buds but they have something in common and that is communism which might well unite them strongly to prevent such an action. This is typical of those Thai thought bubbles which pop out of nowhere from the bureaucracy to create complicated solutions to fix short term problems. The political and diplomatic consequences might surprise them.

[colonialboy]

Dam it. The domino effect China , Thailand , now Vietnam is going to topple .