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  1. #1
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    Kaeng Sua Ten Dam

    Disputed dam back on table
    14/06/2010

    Kaeng Sua Ten is part of drought battle plan

    The Agriculture Ministry plans to revive the controversial Kaeng Sua Ten dam as part of its drive to solve the water crisis threatening the country.


    A boy looks at the parched bed of the Lam Takong reservoir in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Sikhiu district. The reservoir is the main source of water for farming in the surrounding area.
    SAROT MEKSOPHAWANNAKUL

    Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives Minister Theera Wongsamut yesterday said he will push for projects, including Kaeng Sua Ten dam, to increase the number of reservoirs nationwide to deal with the persistent drought.

    The dam will benefit 44 districts in 12 northern and central provinces and provide water for tens of thousands of farms and households.

    Kaeng Sua Ten dam was one of five dams put on hold in 1997 by the Chuan Leekpai government following protests by the Assembly of the Poor and after opposition from conservationists.

    Opponents say the dam will destroy about 20,000 rai of the country's most pristine teak forest in Phrae's Mae Yom National Park.

    The Yom is the only one of four rivers flowing into the Chao Phraya (the others are the Ping, Wang and Nan rivers) without a dam and a large reservoir.

    Mr Theera said he will make sure a study of the Kaeng Sua Ten dam project along with a development plan for the Yom River basin will be completed and submitted for cabinet approval by year's end.

    He said he will also push for a project to divert water from the northern Kok, Ing and Nan rivers into the Sirikit dam in Uttaradit, as well as a project to divert water from the Yuam River in Mae Hong Son into the Bhumibol dam in Tak.

    The water diversion projects are expected to retain about 5 billion cubic metres of water, Mr Theera said.

    The Kaeng Sua Ten project has the backing of Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart who will help secure cabinet approval for the plan, Mr Theera said.

    The minister said the water shortage has to be dealt with now for the benefit of future generations.

    "I don't want to be scolded in the future for failing to do something to prepare for and solve the water problem," Mr Theera said.

    He said he is ready to face opposition to the Kaeng Sua Ten dam from activists. "Environmentalists must decide what is in the country's best interests."

    The minister said the water shortage problem will persist as the monsoon rains has subsided and no rainfall is forecast until next month.

    The drought has required the production of artificial rain to supplement natural water flows into the Sirikit and Bhumibol dams.

    Daily cloud-seeding operations will take place from now until October.

    Mr Theera said he and Maj Gen Sanan will travel today by helicopter to inspect the two dams and the rain-making operations.

    Mr Theera said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is concerned about the low water levels in dams nationwide.

    The volume of water in 33 large dams, 37 medium-sized dams and other reservoirs across the country is only 47% of their combined capacity.

    Only 15% of the water in these dams and reservoirs is suitable for consumption.

    Only 4% of the water in the two major dams, Bhumibol and Sirikit, is available for consumption over the next 50 days, or until the end of July when the rainy season begins, Mr Theera said.

    Warawuth Khantiyanant, director of the Bureau of Royal Rainmaking and Agriculture Aviation, said cloud seeding last week has drawn about 2million cubic metres of rainwater to Bhumibol dam and about 6 million cubic metres to Sirikit dam.

    bangkokpost.com

  2. #2
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    Villagers protest against Kaeng Sua Ten Dam project
    June 14, 2010

    PHRAE - Seven hundred villagers of Tambon Sa Eiab in Phrae's Song district Tuesday protested against the government's idea to proceed with the Kaeng Sua Ten Dam construction project as a long-term solution to droughts and flooding in the North.

    The villagers submitted a letter of protest to the provincial governor and burnt effigies of the Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thira Sutabutra and Irrigation chief Samart Chokanapitak, who are pushing for the project after it was shelved a decade ago.

    They condemned Theera's order on February 23 to have the Royal Irrigation Department speed up the project as unfair claiming there were other solutions to the problems of drought and floods.

    Claiming the project would affect the environment, culture and the community's way of life, the group vowed to stop anyone trying to proceed with the project.

    nationmultimedia.com

  3. #3
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    Well according to those who understand the weather, the drought is due to El Nino. Next year said to be the same. But after that back to normal...therefore no need to destroy quality land to address a temporary problem.

  4. #4
    Have you got any cheese Thetyim's Avatar
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    There is no shortage of water where I live.
    The fields were flooded last week and new rice planting has started.
    But a new dam is being built not far upstream.
    Makes you wonder who exactly benefits from these dams.

  5. #5
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    Villagers burn effigy of pro-dam Sanan
    20/06/2010

    PHRAE : Villagers of tambon Sa-iab opposed to the controversial Kaeng Sua Ten dam project have burned an effigy of Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart, who wants to revive the project.


    DAMNED: About 400 villagers in tambon Sa-iab in Phrae’s Song district burn an effigy of Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart yesterday in a protest against his push for construction of the Kaeng Sua Ten dam.
    PHOTO: THAWEESAK SUKKHASEM


    Wat Don Chai abbot Phra Kru Suthamachaisit was invited to preside over the burning, which involved a village shaman and was witnessed by about 400 villagers.

    The shaman called a "soul" from the ashes and sent it into a pot, which was dumped in the Yom River.

    It is the same river that the Royal Irrigation Department has eyed for its dam project for decades and where an effigy of late prime minister Samak Sundaravej was burned when he revived the project in 2008.

    Maj Gen Sanan, who chairs the National Water Resources Committee, said he would ask for cabinet approval of the long-delayed dam.

    "We have to strike back," declared villager Udom Srikampa. "We have to burn and curse in response to Seh Nan [Maj Gen Sanan]."

    The villagers will ask Song district chief Wicha Na Bangbon to send a protest letter to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. They have also reinstated a ban on irrigation officials, consultants and politicians from entering their neighbourhood to inspect the proposed dam site.

    About 20,000 rai of teak forest in the Mae Yom National Park will be submerged if the dam is built. Sa-iab villagers have fought for almost 20 years to protect the forest, a source of food and herbs.

    The project was suspended in 1997 under the Chuan Leekpai government after a fierce protest and has been revived many times by irrigation officials, who say it will help with floods and drought.

    Academics have raised concerns over the likely impact of the dam on pristine ecology while environmental advocates and villagers have called for other options as they do not believe the dam would live up to its promises.

    The Royal Irrigation Department recently suggested two smaller dams be built instead, but the protesters are not convinced.

    In a letter to Mr Abhisit, residents say the forest is needed to guard water. Other measures could be adopted to tackle flooding and droughts in provinces downstream, such as dredging canals, and removing some sections of roads that block waterways, they said.

    bangkokpost.com

  6. #6
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    Phrae residents demand Govt to build Kaeng Sua Ten Dam
    Rungkarn Rujiwarangkul

    PHRAE, 17 July 2010 (NNT) – More than 1,500 locals of the northern province of Phrae gathered on Friday at the Provincial City Hall, voicing their support for the Kaeng Sua Ten Dam construction project.

    The Phrae residents gathered to call for the authorities to build Kaeng Sua Ten Dam, saying that it was needed to collect water during the drought season.

    The locals claimed that the provinces in the Yom River basin, including Phrae, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, and Phichit, every year had to face water shortage problem and had to spend a large amount of budget on buying sandbags for forming temporary weirs and on pumping water into cultivated lands.

    Phrae Governor Somchai Hatayatanti said the people only gathered to express their need but the final decision whether to initiate the construction still depended on the government policy.

    thainews.prd.go.th

  7. #7
    Have you got any cheese Thetyim's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mid
    the people only gathered to express their need
    Umm....not sure how much I dare say here but the locals have been "encouraged" to support the dam project and have been coerced into signing a petition.

  8. #8
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    ^

    given posts 5 & 6 are polar opposites something is clearly afoot .

  9. #9
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    A student, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said his teacher had asked him to take part in the demonstration in favour of the dam project.

    The teacher had to mobilise students for the gathering at the behest of his superior, the student said.

    He added that students in the province did not want to join the push for the project and that most were aware of the environmental repercussions of the project.

    http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/loca...-join-dam-push


    there is an opinion piece here also : http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/186499/

  10. #10
    Have you got any cheese Thetyim's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mid
    The teacher had to mobilise students for the gathering at the behest of his superior, the student said.
    I can confirm that and the demands came down from the very top.

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mid
    Only 4% of the water in the two major dams, Bhumibol and Sirikit, is available for consumption over the next 50 days, or until the end of July when the rainy season begins, Mr Theera said.
    Water levels in Bhumibol, Sirikit Dams rising
    Boonsong Lipimas

    BANGKOK, 22 August 2010 (NNT) – Water levels in Bhumibol and Sirikit Dams are rising continuously, according to the latest reports by the Department of Royal Irrigation (RID).

    According to RID spokesman Boonsanong Suchatpong, the water level in Bhumibol Dam in Tak province is currently at 4.4 billion cubic meters, or 33% of the total holding capacity, 5% of which, equivalent to 650 million cubic meters, is usable.

    Between 17 and 21 August 2010, an average daily water inflow into Bhumibol Dam was reported at around 35-60 million cubic meters. Meanwhile, an average of 4.6 million cubic meters of inflow, or 49% of its total storage capacity, 19% of which, or about 1.7 million cubic meters was usable, was reported at Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit province. The amount of water inflow at the two main dams is considered normal.

    Meanwhile, the water levels in Kwai Noi Bumrung Dan in Phitsanulok and Pasak Jolasit Dams in Lop Buri provinces are presently at 277 cubic meters, or 36%, and 224 cubic meters, or 23% of their total holding capacity respectively.

    Mr Boonsanong has also instructed Irrigation officers nationwide to keep an eye on the water situation and to be ready to cope with more rains in the next few days, as forecast by the Meteorological Department. Officials are to also make sure that the dams are ready to hold as much water as possible to prevent inundation of the areas downstream.

    thainews.prd.go.th

  12. #12
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    Residents 'Ready to die' in yom river dam fight | Bangkok Post: news

    Residents 'Ready to die' in yom river dam fight

    Protesters turn to ritual cursing, effigy burning and 24-hour guard posts as 24-year battle against project reignites

    The leader of a protest against the controversial Kaeng Sua Ten dam says he is ready to die for the cause.

    Speaking from a makeshift wooden shelter near a forested where the name is scheduled to be built, protest leader Somming Muangrong said he would gladly sacrifice his own life if it would put an end to construction plans.

    He and other protesters have made the shelter their home as they up the ante against the planned development of the dam, which would span the Yom River. Opponents say the development would destroy about 24,000 rai of teak forest.

    "We decided to put our lives on the line, so we've settled here," Mr Somming, a 56-year-old resident of tambon Sa-iab in Phrae's Song district, said. "Take our lives first if you want to build the dam."

    Mr Somming and a large group of his fellow villagers left their homes late last year to stay near the forest to look out for people gathering landscape information for the dam.

    They see the move as the last resort in their 24-year opposition to the dam after state officials rejected their pleas in past talks.

    Residents in four villages in tambon Sa-iab are concerned that the dam would threaten their livelihoods and the area's ecology.

    The Kaeng Sua Ten project, first proposed in 1988 when Sanan Kachornprasart was agriculture and cooperatives minister, was shelved by the Chuan Leekpai government in 1997 because of opposition from residents. But the current Pheu Thai-led administration dusted it off after the 2011 flood crisis.

    Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said her government would look into the Kaeng Sua Ten project again and assess whether it could help prevent future flooding.

    In October, the Water and Flood Management Commission invited private companies to bid for projects under the government's 350 billion baht water management and flood prevention scheme, which included Kaeng Sua Ten dam.

    The resurrection of the dam proposal reignited the fears of Sa-iab residents.

    Eight representatives from the four villages take turns guarding two sites 24 hours a day. If they spot strangers, they immediately contact other residents for "reinforcements", Mr Somming said.

    Mr Somming said staff from the South Korea-based Samsung Group surveyed the area on Jan 12. He anticipates a larger group of surveyors will return.

    The Samsung visit prompted the protest group to increase their vigilance. Mr Somming said, however, that there has not yet been any violence.

    If the surveyors return, he said the group will state its position and ask them not to gather any more data.

    Other methods the villagers have employed in their protest have included rituals cursing those who support the dam project as well as burning them in effigy, Sudarat Chaimongkhon, head of Ban Don Chai Moo 1, said.

    "It's just a belief," Ms Sudarat said. "We can't think of better methods, so we will do everything that we can do."

    Children are also helping their parents to protect their neighbourhood and the forest land.

    Yom basin network coordinator Prasittiporn Kalaonsri, who supports the villagers' stance against the dam, said the protest should not be viewed as a hindrance to efforts to solve flood and drought problems.

    He said water shortages in some areas in the basin were a result of intensive farming.

    Ordering Sa-iab people to stop their protest is impossible, Mr Prasittiporn said, as the adults are prepared to sacrifice their lives, and furthermore are handing down to their children a strong attachment to their community and environment.
    "Slavery is the daughter of darkness; an ignorant people is the blind instrument of its own destruction; ambition and intrigue take advantage of the credulity and inexperience of men who have no political, economic or civil knowledge. They mistake pure illusion for reality, license for freedom, treason for patriotism, vengeance for justice."-Simón Bolívar

  13. #13
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    Hmmm...I'll bet somebody will make a pretty penny fellng all that teak.

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