Thread: PM Warns Drought-Stricken Farmers Not to Stage Protests

This canal in Suphan Buri's Don Chedi district has almost dried up. (photo by Patipat Janthong)

Bangkok Post
June 19, 2015
Writer: Patsara Jikkham

The prime minister told farmers suffering drought hardship not to protest, saying the government was seeking to address the problem and provide assistance to drought victims.

Gen Prayut said water in the main rivers has been running dry due to a long absence of rain, resulting in a drastic drop in water levels in dams across the country.

"I do not mean to threaten those who want to hold demonstrations but don't force me to enforce the law," Gen Prayut said.

He said about four million rai of farmland was parched due to water shortages. The government will provide assistance to drought victims as best as it can, though Gen Prayut also urged members of the public to help themselves where they can.

Meanwhile, agriculture permanent secretary Chavalit Chukachorn said 11 units of the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation in five regions have been conducting artificial rain-making operations since March.

The operations have been carried out in response to the premier's order to replenish the volume of water in dams nationwide to retain water for in-season rice and other agricultural purposes.

Warawut Khantiyanan, director-general of the department, also voiced concerns over the drought crisis in Nakhon Sawan, Lop Buri and Saraburi provinces of the eastern Central region and all provinces in the northeastern region.

Farmers in Chai Nat's Sapphaya district, Ang Thong and Khon Kaen have to pump water out of dams and irrigation canals for agricultural and consumption purposes.

Mr Warawut, however, said humidity in the air will be enough to conduct artificial rainmaking.

In Chai Nat, the water level in the Chao Phraya dam has dropped from 14.30m to 14.19m as farmers pumped water from the reservoir to retain for their farmland. Dam director Ekkasit Sakdeethanaporn called on farmers not to store excess amounts of water as it will affect the government's water management plan.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, authorities have stopped releasing water from Lam Takhong dam in Sikhiu district for agricultural purposes as they want to reserve the water for human consumption only.

PM urges drought-stricken farmers not to stage protests | Bangkok Post: news

No free speech, no rights, no vote.

I blame Obama.

Do these

"11 units of the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation in five regions have been conducting artificial rain-making operations since March."

actually produce rain?

I was told that the farangs use too much water.
They need some attitude adjustments,....

No worries, they'll be dealing with flooding in 4-6 weeks time.....

Sakdeethanaporn called on farmers not to store excess amounts of water as it will affect the government's water management plan.

There's a plan

what happened to the famous rain making 'invention' by somebody famous?

"I do not mean to threaten those who want to hold demonstrations but don't force me to enforce the law," Gen Prayut said.

Says the head of an illegal regime. Does irony have no meaning to these people.

Originally Posted by Dragonfly94

what happened to the famous rain making 'invention' by somebody famous?

Cloud seeding is a very old idea that was abandoned a long time ago worldwide. It was later touted to the Thai masses as a Local Inspiration. DOA.