Activists fume over plan to use Article 44 for dam

[rooster59]

Activists fume over plan to use Article 44 for dam

PRATCH RUJIVANAROM
THE SUNDAY NATION 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL groups have strongly opposed a plan by the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry to seek invocation of special powers under Article 44 of the post-coup interim charter to commence construction of the controversial Mae Wong dam in Nakhon Sawan province.

 

In a statement released by the 19 organisations yesterday, they said Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister General Chatchai Sarikulya wanted to implement a project that was against the government's reforestation campaign. 

They also said the project was not in line with the water management plan suggested by the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation and the efforts by late environmentalist hero Seub to protect the forests.

Chatchai remarked on Friday that he would consider asking Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to use the ultimate power afforded him under Article 44 to make it easier to implement the project. 

He said the move may be needed because it was hard to implement new water-management projects and farmers in Nakhon Sawan needed water.
 

 

Prime Minister Prayut, in his capacity as head of the National Council for Peace and Order, has the power to invoke Article 44 on behalf of the ruling junta.

The environmental group said the project would affect a large area of pristine forest in the Mae Wong National Park and conflict with Seub's push to protect the Western Forest Complex.

"The water levels in the nearby Tab Salao and Klong Po damd are low and indicate that this is a rain-shadow area, so constructing another dam will not solve the water shortage problem," the groups said.

"Using Article 44 for this issue will set a precedent for other environmentally harmful projects to similarly use the special power for implementation," the groups said.

Sasin Chalermlarp, president of the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation and a prominent opponent of the Mae Wong dam, said in a Facebook post that he was ready to enlighten Chatchai on the project's shortcomings or he may march again in protest.

In 2013, Sasin marched from Nakhon Sawan to Bangkok to protest against plans to construct the dam, resulting in the project being shelved.

"I am not surprised that the minister has such an idea, because he only listened to one side [of the debate], the Royal Irrigation Department [RID], which has always pushed for this project. I am trying to reach him and give him the other point of view, but he has not bothered to hear me," the prominent activist said.

RID director-general Suthep Noipairoj said it was necessary to build the dam because Thailand did not have enough water.

"We are a seasonal country which has only around 100 days of rain [a year], so we have to build more water storage [facilities] to keep water for the rest of the year," Suthep said.

"Moreover, the site of the Mae Wong dam is perfect for building another dam because this river still does not have a major reservoir. Building this dam will benefit a lot of farmers in the area, who are currently relying only on natural precipitation." 

He added that every development would have some negative side effects, but the country had to choose projects that had more positives than negatives and that applied to the Mae Wong dam.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Activists-fume-over-plan-to-use-Article-44-for-dam-30294469.html

 

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2016-09-04

 

[canuckamuck]

You know when someone says what would you do if you had three wishes and you say.

I would wish for unlimited wishes.

That is what article 44 is for the General.

[z42]

Too much of a hot potato, and too much potential bad press will see the article 44 request be shot down. And the minister who is supporting it isn't powerful enough to force any work to commence on it. A win (albeit a temporary one) for the activists on this issue.

The water management at a state level in Thailand is beyond atrocious. There must be ways to conserve the excess they get and store / route it to areas which receive regular shortages. I am not entirely sure how this whole thing works, but for the ones who are paid to know, and implement the necessary works to make it happen, have done a bloody awful job up to now. What have they been doing for the last half a century?

[williamgeorgeallen]

how can thailand have constant flooding and yet be in a drought for years at a time? surely more dams are the answer to mitigate flooding and droughts.

[Srikcir]

5 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Using Article 44 for this issue will set a precedent for other environmentally harmful projects to similarly use the special power for implementation

Sets a precedent only until the new constitution is endorsed.

 

Thereafter, the government will have sole constitutional authority to decide where, when and how any projects are implemented. Although the state will still have the duty to exercise diligence in carrying out any project that might impact people, it is not the fundamental right of the people. Unlike the 2007 Constitution that provided the right for local communities to participate in the deliberation of policies that might be harmful to their well-being, the 2016 Constitution removed that right. Individuals and communities will no longer be able to petition their grievance directly to the court. 

 

The priority of the State will prevail.

 

[khunken]

29 minutes ago, williamgeorgeallen said:

how can thailand have constant flooding and yet be in a drought for years at a time? surely more dams are the answer to mitigate flooding and droughts.

Not necessarily the one proposed here.

This particular project has been on & off for years. The RID & various ministers have always supported it, as usual without considering the alternatives. The infamous Plodprasop was one minister who had police block those not supporting it while bussing in 'supporters' at one supposedly local forum to discuss the project.

The problem is that they (the RID) want one big dam which will take a large chunk out of the forest & the fact that valuable timber will have to be 'saved' has always been on the sideline.

Opponents say that a series of smaller dams (locally called 'monkey's cheeks') built in stages along the river would be a better solution and store the water closer to where it is needed.

 

 

 

 

[ratcatcher]

Just now, z42 said:

Too much of a hot potato, and too much potential bad press will see the article 44 request be shot down. And the minister who is supporting it isn't powerful enough to force any work to commence on it. A win (albeit a temporary one) for the activists on this issue.

The water management at a state level in Thailand is beyond atrocious. There must be ways to conserve the excess they get and store / route it to areas which receive regular shortages. I am not entirely sure how this whole thing works, but for the ones who are paid to know, and implement the necessary works to make it happen, have done a bloody awful job up to now. What have they been doing for the last half a century?

Does this help you?

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pm-orders-construction-of-more-monkey-cheek-water-storages-to-ease-drought/

[cumgranosalum]

Whatever you think of article 44, this has to be the most inappropriate use of the Junta's powers.

 

THe facts are stacked against the dam and have been for nearly 35 years - so why would any rational person think that ignoring all that is a good idea. They clearly have no credentials in the water management or eco departments..

 

The there is only ONE department that supports this EVERYONE else thinks its a bad idea on seveal fronts - effectiveness and the extinction of the Tiger in Thailand being two......

 

The one department appears to have it's science and theory locked way back in the 1950s - I'm sure someone could explain why?

 

 

 

 

 

[cumgranosalum]

19 hours ago, williamgeorgeallen said:

how can thailand have constant flooding and yet be in a drought for years at a time? surely more dams are the answer to mitigate flooding and droughts.

Absolutely not.

 

and the Mae Wong dam is not even a flood damage control any way... it has had several changes in purpose over the years, largely to appease those who stand to make out of its construction.

 

as far as flooding and drought are concerned, dams are now considered an archaic and ineffective way of dealing with water management.

the fact is that Thailand is a WEY country but continues to lose over 30% of water it collects - building dams creates knock-on problems and seldom achieves what the builders claim.

 

In this case there hs been a cheaper and more effective alternative put forward and the nvironmental damage is for any rational p[erson quite unacceptable - furthermore the finished dam is too small to have any positive effect and the idsea that local farmers will beefit is just a joke - put forward by the proponents to win over local support.

[jerojero]

Oh it's hard to implement. So trample over everything easily with Art44. Just cancel all laws except for 44. Use it for everything!

[Reigntax]

If he continues to give Art 44 such a flogging, he will go blind!

[shirtless]

Sounds like there is a lot to be made by officials , Thais are pushy unless theirs a big earner in it. Article 44 says it all for this general.

[cumgranosalum]

The dam is little more than a massive "legalised" piece of encroachment - it goes against the reforestation program, encroaches on a  tiger reserve, has dubious water management qualifications.

 

but on thew other hand it will open a large section of virgin forest to construction traffic and then development/.

 

Firstly the tracks will disrupt the wildlife and then give easier access to poachers, the water will destroy pristine forest by the acre, once the dam is complete it will encourage those with money and influence to build resorts which in turn will increase pressure on the environment and further disperse the remaining wildlife.

 

As the apex predator will have bee taken out of the system the forest will slowly degrade - once degraded it will be easier for those in the know to  open more developments -  fishing, boating, resorts, spas,golf etc...and the odd housing development.