BURNING ISSUE

By Comment & Analysis
Kamol Sukin
Published on June 17, 2008

If it turns out to be as successful as he claims it will be, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's rice plan will surely be regarded as a masterstroke and gain plaudits across the nation.

We are talking about PM Samak's recent proposal to add 700,000 tonnes to Thailand's rice production a year by making vast amounts of water available for farmlands.

This grand plan will be submitted for the Cabinet's consideration and approval today.

According to Wichianrat Sukchoterat, the Prime Minister Office's spokesman, the premier chaired an important meeting last Monday of the National Water Commission and gave the green light for the mega water diversion scheme. "The commission's approval is for the first phase of an entire water diversion project worth Bt9 billion covering one million rai area of rice farms in three regions, the North, Northeast and Central Thailand," he said.

The approval also includes improving 6,000 water sources nationwide to increase rice growing capacity.

This all sounds very impressive, except for one thing. Do we know the real cost of the plan?

Does the Bt9 billion only cover construction and operating costs? How about the social and environmental costs?

Altogether, 2,182 million cubic metres of water will be diverted some 200 kilometres from the Yuam River basin in the upper North to Bhumibol Dam's reservoir in Tak province via canals and underground tunnels.

There's no need to use a Global Positioning System to realise the route will pass through communities, farmlands and forests.

Will those affected villagers be paid? At what rate? And will it be fair for their so-called 'sacrifice'?

How much forest biodiversity will be lost? And how will this grand project compensate for this national treasure?

Will the scheme really cost Bt9 billion, or will the bill be much more?

If we put the real cost of social and environmental impacts into calculation, is it still worth the economic investment? If so, show the public the figures.

There is another question related to this Bt9 billion diversion plan. Where is the real benefit expected? Just for certain groups of rice traders or for the majority of farmers?

The government keeps telling the public that the water diversion and irrigation project is an investment that will benefit farmers. More water means more chances for farmers to make money and so improve their quality of life.

But is that really true?

In fact, more water might bring farmers out of the "sufficient economy" way of life and could even lead them into a trap. Many farmers are now saying that more water may mean more crops. It also means more debt.

More water may have negative effects if channelled to the wrong areas. It might be a burden if more water arrives for those who are not ready to farm the land.

And where is the one million rai area the project claims? Is it inside or outside today's irrigation areas? If inside, why does the irrigation area need more water if it already receives enough water? How can we ensure we do not repeat past mistakes?

These questions also apply to diverting water from the Mekong River into the north-eastern area and the Central plains.

Shouldn't the public be informed of these facts before deciding whether to support or reject such a project which will certainly come from their taxes?

Without answers to these basic questions, the public should not allow the Cabinet to approve this mega - or is that mega-careless? - project.

By The Nation On 17 June 2008

  List of All    
  Print version