Bangkok: The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) is collaborating with Germany, Australia, and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to investigate water resource ownership patterns. This initiative focuses on the Prasae and Pa Sak river basins, which play an essential role in supporting agriculture, industry, and commerce. The project aims to establish a balanced and sustainable allocation of water resources.
According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Surasee Kittimonthon, Secretary-General of the Office of National Water Resources (ONWR), chaired a national workshop to discuss the findings of the ScaleWat project. This project emphasizes capacity building for water resource governance, aiming to support food security, climate resilience, and social participation. The workshop, held at the Avani+ Riverside Hotel in Bangkok, was attended by representatives from various governmental and academic sectors, along with over 70 participants from the pilot river basins.
The ONWR Secretary-General emphasized that FAO’s approach sheds light on global challenges in water allocation, which often do not align with legal frameworks or fairness principles. To address this, the concept of water tenure has been developed to better understand water use patterns. Supported by the German and Australian governments, Thailand and Colombia are the two pilot countries for the ScaleWat project. The Prasae River Basin was chosen due to its economic significance in Rayong Province and the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). A memorandum of understanding was signed to begin operations in Thailand on October 29, 2024, focusing on methodologies for assessing water tenure and promoting good governance.
For the Water Scarcity Programme, ONWR and FAO conducted a study on water use patterns in the Pa Sak River Basin. This project, which began on February 15, 2023, aims to develop action plans for water scarcity management by understanding water accounting.
The workshop facilitated the exchange of ideas and examined the study findings from the pilot river basins, which are crucial for understanding spatial context, constraints, and socioeconomic factors. The discussions aimed to ensure that the findings align with the local context and contribute to a more efficient and sustainable water management model for Thailand.