Due to drought, Thai govt urges no Songkran water wars

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Re: Due to drought, Thai govt urges no Songkran water wars

Post by Gaybutton »

Maxxy wrote:the govt stopping the water is about the same as me winning the lotto
As a matter of fact, an article in today's The Nation is saying even in the most severely hit areas, where people are being urged to conserve water, people are still using as much water as always. I suppose it's the old story - let somebody else be inconvenienced.

"Wait 'till the water runs out. Then you can really start laughing."
- Ian Bannen (Crow), 'The Flight of the Phoenix (1965)'
________________________________________________________________

People worried about drought ‘but doing little’

THE SUNDAY NATION
March 20, 2016

Survey reveals many have not cut their use of water despite looming crisis

Most people are concerned about a shortage of water as a result of the severe drought across the country, but have not helped save water, a new survey has found.

Some 63 per cent of respondents said they were worried about the impact of the drought on their everyday life.

However, 54 per cent admitted they still used water in the same manner they always did, according to results of the survey by Bangkok University's Bangkok Poll.

Some 38 per cent said they used less water, but the remaining 8 per cent said they used more.

The survey was conducted on 1,263 people in all regions of the country.

Some 58 per cent of respondents said they agreed with the government's measures to manage the consumption of water, while 56 per cent said they would ration water if necessary and 44 per cent would not.

Sixty per cent expect the situation will result in a "rather small impact" on their life while 40 per cent foresee "much impact".

Meanwhile, the Nakhon Ratchasima Irrigation Office installed two large pumps at the Ban Deu weir to pump the slow-running water into the Lam Takong dam's five downstream districts - Sikhiu, Sung Noen, Kham Thale Sor, Muang and Chalerm Prakiat - to support 100 |stations making tap-water there, Lam Takong irrigation chief Sutthiroj Kongkaew said yesterday.

He said the raw water supply would enable the stations to produce approximately 432,000 cubic metres of tap-water per day as the dam - currently with 73 million cubic metres of usable water or 23 per cent of its capacity - would release up to 432,000 cubic metres a day.

Meanwhile, sand is showing at parts of Takong-connected canals, allowing people to walk across them.

A large number of dead sucker fish - a species known for its hardiness - has been found in the river.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has asked members of the public, as well as farmers to use water in the most efficient way possible.

Ahead of "World Water Day" on Tuesday, Prayut said conserving water was a global challenge, as everyone has to work together to prevent threats to natural water resources, that could limit supplies.

He urged all people to conserve water and use it more efficiently, saying farmers should postpone off-season cultivation entirely, and switch to drought-tolerant crops.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/nationa ... 82000.html
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Re: Due to drought, Thai govt urges no Songkran water wars

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Again, so far Pattaya seems to be unaffected by the drought - emphasis on so far. Despite the fact that there has been no rain for the better part of two months, along with the driest part of the dry season coming up, along with predictions for a later than usual start of the rainy season, along with some of the hottest temperatures on record throughout Thailand, there has still been no calls in Pattaya for water conservation or curtailment of Songkran water splashing.

The further north and east of Bangkok you go, the worse the drought and water shortages get.

Despite that, few truly expect the government calls for curtailment of Songkran water splashing to be heeded. The only way I can see for any serious curtailment actually to take place would be if the government sends out both the police and military to enforce it.
_______________________________________________________

Call to raise water fee for heavy users

by Pawee Sirimai

23 Mar 2016

The private sector is urging the government to raise tap water fees on factories, businesses and households that use excessive amounts of water in April. The proposal is intended to offset the massive quantity of water that will be used during Songkran.

Twatchai Yongkittikul, an adviser to the Thai Bankers' Association, said the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) asked the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) yesterday to charge higher fees for factories and households that consume a higher volume of water in April versus what they had used in April 2015.

The request further aims to encourage Thais to conserve water ahead of the severe drought that is expected to negatively impact farmland, industrial estates and household consumption.

"In April we have the Songkran festival, which is one of the greatest water-consuming events of the year," Mr Twatchai said. "And at a time when we are about to be hit by a severe drought, those who consume excessive amounts of water should pay an additional fee for what they have consumed."

He declined to comment on a proper rate for high-level water users, saying it would depend on the government.

Mr Twatchai said people in the agricultural sector, mostly in rural areas, had sacrificed a lot by not growing a rice crop in the off season in order to help save water. It would be worthwhile for urban residents to help save water in their own way, he said.

The JSCCIB will also propose the idea to the Provincial Waterworks Authority.

Bowon Vongsinudom, vice-chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, said the JSCCIB would raise awareness among the public about the severity of this year's drought and encourage every sector to help get through the ordeal.

He said that if the additional fee idea is not accepted by the government, the JSCCIB will ask authorities to create alternative methods to deal with the water crisis.

The JSCCIB will host a seminar later this month to educate and exchange information on how to conserve water and cope with the drought. Some 100 companies have expressed a willingness to join the seminar and cut water use by at least 30% during the hot season, said Mr Bowon.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... eavy-users
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Re: Due to drought, Thai govt urges no Songkran water wars

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Khao San spirits dampened

24 Mar 2016

Bangkok's Khao San Road, scene of some of the wildest Songkran festivities, will have its celebrations curtailed this year as the drought eats into water supplies around the country.

The wildly popular Songkran spot normally draws tens of thousands of water-throwing tourists and locals, but this year it faces one less day of celebration and restricted refilling outlets. It will also have decreased mains pressure.

Water authorities on Thursday said tap pressures will be reduced at all popular tourist spots for Songkran to conserve water supplies as the country's dams report critically low levels.

Piyabut Jiwaramonaikul, president of the Khao San Road business enterprise association, said there would be no water throwing on April 12, the first day of the festival.

He said water splashing would only begin on April 13 for song nam phra, or the bathing ceremony for Buddha images. As well, many water distribution spots would not be available for Songkran revellers this year.

The organisers at other major Songkran venues are also adjusting activities because of the water shortage. Many are encouraging a return to the traditional way of celebrations which involves pouring a little water on the hands, making merit and paying respect to others.

Supawadee Sitthikornpaiboon, chief of Bang Rak district office, which oversees Songkran activities on Silom Road, said there would be no water distribution areas during the festival this year.

The 80-metre "water tunnel" which revellers enjoyed last year would also not be provided, she said.

Ms Supawadee said the district office would erect signs urging Thai and foreign revellers to celebrate Songkran by using less water.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... s-dampened

See also: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/909468/
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Re: Due to drought, Thai govt urges no Songkran water wars

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We live in hope!
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