Phumtham” points out that reviving Kaeng Suea Ten requires discussions from all parties, both supporters and opponents, emphasizing the reduction of impacts on both people and forests – solving recurring flooding
Mr. Phumtham Vejjayachai, Deputy Prime Minister, acting on behalf of the Prime Minister, gave an interview about the idea of ??building Kaeng Suea Ten to solve the flooding problem from the Yom River Basin. He said that this issue has been a matter of differing opinions for a long time. For the past 10 years, all the water from the North, the Ping River, the Wang River, has no problem because it is supported by the Bhumibol Dam. As for Chiang Rai Province, it flows into the Mekong River, so it should not be a problem. The same goes for the Nan River, which partly flows into the Mekong River. Only the Yom River Basin, which has no place to receive water, will overflow. This can be seen from the fact that every year when it rains, the Yom River is the heaviest, flooding Phrae, Phayao, and down to Suk
hothai Province, which has been a water source since ancient times. It was a field outside the city before there were houses. But now it has affected people in 4-5 provinces, and people have complained that they want an area that can receive water and not have to flood every year and spend hundreds of billions of baht on restoring various resources.
Therefore, I would like to discuss this issue. I would like this issue to be a public discussion. Let’s debate all opinions to find a common conclusion by listening to both supporters and opponents. The public thinks that if a dam is built, it is still possible to plant forests in other areas. They do not intend to destroy forests for personal gain. However, the lives of the people are affected. It requires a lot of money to take care of, fix, and provide compensation. It cannot be solved immediately. Therefore, the issue of water should be made a national agenda. Every issue and every process should be considered to find a better solution. It does not mean that
it will be brought to the cabinet. There may be many more processes to find a conclusion on this issue.
Source: Thai News Agency