Publicity campaign launched to cut water consumption by 30 percent



BANGKOK: -- Thai PBS in cooperation with ten organizations of the private and government sectors today announced the launch of a publicity campaign aimed to cut water consumption of up to 30 percent by members of the public, private and government sectors to ensure there is enough water to last through the worst dry season in 20 years.

Besides Thai PBS, the other organizations taking part in this publicity campaign under the slogan “Sharing Water, Sharing Spirit to Fight Drought” include PTT, Central Group, Kasikorn Bank, Betagro Group, Thai Namthip, Hotels Association of Thailand, Metrphol Group, MK Restaurant Group, Double A Company, Royal Irrigation Department, Metropolitan Waterworks Authority, Provincial Waterworks Authority, EGAT, Agricultural Extension Department, Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Centre of Climate Change and Disasters of Rangsit University.

The campaign is also intended to change the habit of Thais in general about how they use water.

Thai PBS director Krisda Ruang-areerat said the ongoing drought is a national crisis that all Thais must get together to deal with it. As a public service media, he said Thai PBS is duty-bound to make the public aware of the need to prevent and to find a long-term solution to the problem.

A war room will be set up at Thai PBS office to follow up drought situation in all 76 provinces, to gather information and various solutions from all sectors. Also, Thai PBS will adjust its programme diagram to present the drought issue in all aspects. The programme will be aired five days a week from Monday to Friday from 6.30 pm to 7 pm starting on March 1.

Royal Irrigation Department chief Mr Suthep Noipairote said, until February 23, there are still about 3,000 million cubic metres of water left in the country’s four main dams. About 18 million cubic metres of water are released from the dams each day for consumption and ecological preservation, he added.

He disclosed that there are still 1.7 million rai of second cropping which are yet to be harvested and farmers have been told not to pump water from irrigation canals or rivers to feed their farmland.

Dr Seri Suparathit, director of the Centre for Climate Change and Disasters, said that demand for water for consumption until May is estimated at 2,600 million cubic metres which represent about 1,000 million cubic metres above supply. This means that Thailand is inevitably approaching water crisis situation, he warned.

Mr Lersak Riewtrakulpaiboon, director-general of Rain-making and Agricultural Aviation Department, said that officials are evaluating weather condition every day and if there is a chance for rain making, a rapid mobile unit would go into action for cloud seeding operations.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/152241


-- Thai PBS 2016-02-25

They can save another 50% if they cancel Sonkran.

Big Publicity involving Big Names and likely Minimal Result.

Other than token gestures who will pay any attention ?

Yesterday my local authority had the water trucks out watering the plants on the central reservation of the dual carriageways.

Edited February 24, 201610 yr by NongKhaiKid

Whenever someone in Thailand ensures there is enough or is adamant (not the singer although he could probably run the country better) that there is no problem.

There is a problem.

Big Publicity involving Big Names and likely Minimal Result.

Other than token gestures who will pay any attention ?

Yesterday my local authority had the water trucks out watering the plants on the central reservation of the dual carriageways.

"Yesterday my local authority had the water trucks out watering the plants on the central reservation of the dual carriageways."

They do this every day on the main road in Korat... & hold up the traffic.

Edited February 24, 201610 yr by Jessi

So lets see if they are serious enough to cancel Songkran's crazy water usage?

Not going to hold my breath

Big Publicity involving Big Names and likely Minimal Result.

Other than token gestures who will pay any attention ?

Yesterday my local authority had the water trucks out watering the plants on the central reservation of the dual carriageways.

I wonder if it will extend to government agencies scaling back on their lawn and garden watering operations, usually taking place during the hottest part of the day, when the bulk of it just evaporates straight back into the air. The other favourite trick is to leave the sprinklers in the same place all day, so that spot becomes a sodden mess, with water just trickling away over the surface. Saw that the other day at a RID-managed dam gardens and a university in the heart of arid Isaan.

Until the government leads by example, it is unlikely the private sector or ordinary Thais, especially farmers, are going to cut back on their water guzzling habits. Usually its all talk and no action, beyond some tokenistic gesture.

People should be asking how this 30 % target will be measured and evaluated? And by whom?

They have known since the end of the rainy season that there wasn't enough water for this year. Wouldn't it have been prudent to start water saving policies at that point?

Maybe the planes will come out and sprinkle some of that magic stuff that makes it rain.

Edited February 25, 201610 yr by rhythmworx

They save plenty of water in our area....by simply turning it off

Shower only once a day?

Blush don't flush?

Close golf courses? (not gonna happen)

At least two guys in the picture look as they were told their golf courses may become deserts...

are we going to get to the stage of share a bath with a friend? I remember that in the UK

They have known since the end of the rainy season that there wasn't enough water for this year. Wouldn't it have been prudent to start water saving policies at that point?

"He disclosed that there are still 1.7 million rai of second cropping which are yet to be harvested and farmers have been told not to pump water from irrigation canals or rivers to feed their farmland."

I seem to remember a lot of "urging" rice farmers not to plant a second crop. Seems it did not really have the desired effect. Who'd 'ave thought it?

Today it is widely reported that the good general is mulling the use of his power to force farmers to scale back the rice crop next time.

Songkran anyone? Waste water for sake of partying. TIT.

They have known since the end of the rainy season that there wasn't enough water for this year. Wouldn't it have been prudent to start water saving policies at that point?

You are proposing forward planning, you know that will never to done

What’s wrong with that?

Like everything else, I want you to cut back and make sacrifices but I will continue as usual.

They save plenty of water in our area....by simply turning it off

You must live near me.....water? what water?....but still get a bill for having it connected....

They can save another 50% if they cancel Sonkran.

Sorry that is sacro sant, untouchable, tourist related again untouchable, makes to much sense, Yes we should save 30% so they can waste it on Songkran how hypocritical. Thai logic.

They have known since the end of the rainy season that there wasn't enough water for this year. Wouldn't it have been prudent to start water saving policies at that point?

Last ditch effort the rain gods are not cooperating. Waited for a miracle that did not appear. It would appear at this late stage we are running out of time and water. Its a situation "Red" push the panic button take your pick. All signs of desperation.

Maybe the planes will come out and sprinkle some of that magic stuff that makes it rain.

Fairy dust.

Given the severity of the drought, and the insufficient supply, a goal of 30% might be too low. Forced savings of 50% or more should be achievable.

They have known since the end of the rainy season that there wasn't enough water for this year. Wouldn't it have been prudent to start water saving policies at that point?

They have known since the end of the rainy season that there wasn't enough water for this year. Wouldn't it have been prudent to start water saving policies at that point?

They had a meeting silly.

They have known since the end of the rainy season that there wasn't enough water for this year. Wouldn't it have been prudent to start water saving policies at that point?

They had a meeting silly.

And it was a silly meeting.