The ongoing drought in Thailand had caused some anxiety about the provision of drinking water in 11 provinces, namely: Chachoengsao, Sisaket, Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Nakhon Phanom, Phatthalung, Lamphun, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi and Kanchanaburi.
The severe drought situation is not only affecting Thailand but also plaguing neighbouring countries such as Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia as well.
Downstream along the Mekong River, the Cambodian government had reserved a plot of land in Kambol district’s Boeung Thom commune to construct a clean water treatment facility which has the potential to produce up to 5,000 cubic metres of clean water per day but it would only be ready by early 2023.
In Thailand, the government has announced that they would continue to shore up water provision services in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and in Special Economic Zones (SEZ) such as Chon Buri, Rayong, Chachoengsao, Songkhla, and Narathiwat, to increase the efficiency of water supply services and support large investment projects in key economic areas of the country.
Recently, the Chinese government also helped to fund a study on the management of cross-border water resource on the Sai-Ruak River, a natural border between Thailand and Myanmar. The study had led to the development of a warning system and a model on water management, as well as recommendations on how to deal with flooding and drought in that area.
In mid-February, water supply experts from the United States suggested that countries in the Lower Mekong should try to reach an agreement to pay China for water releases during times of crisis, such as droughts, at the Stimson Center’s virtual event “Where’s the Water: Mekong Dry Season 2022.”. The idea was met with lukewarm response, citing reasons that stretch beyond the water supply and demand equation.
Now, the King of Thailand has issued an urgent decree for the Thai government to start working on large scale groundwater supply project, as part of the country’s solutions to solve the drought crisis.
Previously, Jirayu Huangsap of the opposition Pheu Thai Party stated that the government favoured politicians through its water projects. The administration refuted the accusations, said that they are working for the public and have already dug around 1,600 wells which would be ready for use in April.
The government declared that they would be able to deliver 70 million cubic meters of water each year, benefiting over 100,000 people and covering more than 160,000,000 square meters of plantation acreage across the country.
Terra Link Research 