WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN THAILAND PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES Monthip Sriratana Tabucanon
II) STATE OF WATER RESOURCES AND PROBLEMS IN THAILAND Water related problems Water shortage Flood Water quality
Figure Figure 1: 1: five five Twenty- Major Major Basins Basins in in Thailand
2.1) Flooding
Figure 2: 2: Strategic Plans for for Flood Mitigation in in Areas of of 25 25 Basins
Drought and Water Shortage
Figure 3: 3: Strategic Plans for for Water Resources Management in in Areas of of 25 25 Basins
Figure 4: 4: the the division of of 25 25 basins into into 6 basin groups
III) 10 th National Economic and Social Development Plan-NESDP (2007-2011) 2011) 10 th NESDP emphasizes on: Green Society Self Sufficiency Philosophy (self reliance, self immunity, sustainable development)
The Development Strategies related to Water Resources To conserve and rehabilitate the natural resources and environment for better quality of life
To add value to existing economic, social and natural resources and environment capital as the strong foundation for stable, balance and sustainable development
To strengthen the economic structure to the development that based on long term biodiversity development
GUIDELINE ON WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN THE BASIN Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)
WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION AND AGENCIES National Water Resources Committee (NWRC) under the Office of Prime Minister s s Regulation
NWRC consist of Deputy Prime Minister Ministers Permanent Secretaries Director Generals Head of State Enterprises NGOs representatives Technical Experts etc.
NWRC consist of To submit the Cabinet for approval of the policies on water resources To set the plan for water resources development To prioritize water allocation and regulated the use of water from various sources
River Basin Sub-Committee (RBSC) RBSC appointed by NWRC Members from government officials State Enterprise representations Local Government representations Water User Organization Stakeholders live in the Basin
The RBSC responsibilities: To provide comments on policies related to water resource management To prioritize water allocation and specify water requirements To monitor and evaluate performance of Agencies To promote public participation
Working Group (WG) WG appointed by RBSC Representatives from the river basin in each district
The WG responsibilities: To compile data on water resources To propose work plans relating to development To conduct public participation activities To help conciliate and dispute
V) FRAMEWORK FOR PLAN FORMULATION To solve water resources related problems in the basin and basin group areas To set up guideline and framework for formulating the strategic and action plans
GUIDELINES FOR FLOOD MITIGATION Protection and rehabilitation of forest conditions and solving land problems Improvement of laws concerning the boundary of water bodies
GUIDELINES FOR FLOOD MITIGATION Development of flood-receiving areas Enhancement of the efficiency of the existing reservoirs Long-term flood mitigation and flood prevention system Disaster forecast and warning/ Risk assurance
GUIDELINES FOR DROUGHT AND WATER SHORTAGE Watershed conservation for sustainable and equitable use Water allocation Natural water resource conservation
GUIDELINES FOR DROUGHT AND WATER SHORTAGE Enhancement of water use efficiency Management plan and Control of land use Water management plan in agricultural sector Groundwater utilization
GUIDELINES FOR WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT Measures on water quality management Measures on domestic wastewater Measures on industrial wastewater Measures on agricultural wastewater Measures on water quality in river water
CHALLENGES TO SOLVE WATER CRISIS National Water Vision With 2025, Thailand will achieve sufficiency water supply of the whole country through the good governance system with effective sustainable and equitable use of water taking into consideration of better quality of life and public participation at all levels
Prevention and solution to water shortage and flood Non-Structural Measures Structural Measures
VIII) STRATEGIC PLANS FOR WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 10 th National Economic and Social Development Plan Sufficiency Economy
Sustainable economy strategies Protection, reservation and rehabilitation of watershed areas Storage of sufficient water and efficient water use Reduction of flood prone area and flood risks
Proactive strategy Inflow augmentations Development of water grid system Increment of water value
Adjustment strategy Enhancement of capacity of integrated and participatory management Development of data base system, knowledge and technology
Table 1: shows the 3 strategic plan of basins in Thailand Strategy Basin Sustainable economy strategy Proactive strategy Adjustment strategy Total North and central basins 262,649.90 109,303.26 1,505.85 373,459.01 Northeast basins 107,617.59 223,378.90 2,519.58 333,516.07 East basins 87,799.11 5,869.65 267.67 93,936.43 West basins 61,610.82 20,739.42 178.00 82,528.24 South-eastern basins 62,577.41 1,176.63 1,506.26 65,260.30 South-western basins 20,766.09 514.39 5.00 21,285.48 Total 603,020.92 360,982.25 5,982.36 969,985.53 Unit: baht
Fig 6 : Alternative of Water Utilization from Makhong river Basin Mekhong 1 Nam Ngum 2 Alternative of Water Utilization from Mekhong River Basin 3
Fig 7 : Alternative 1:Mekhong (Leoi)- Ubonratana Dam (Khonkaen) Mekhong 1 Alternative 1 Mekhong (Leoi) Ubonratana Dam (Khonkaen) Ubonratana Dam
Fig 8 : Alternative 2 : Mekhong (Nong Khai) Houi Luang Dam (Nong Khai), Nong Harn (Udonthani)
Fig 9 Alternative 3 : Nam Ngum (Lao PDR) Houi Luang (Nong Khai)- Nong Harn (Udonthani) Lam Paew (Karasin)-Chi River
COMPARISON OF THE ADVANTAGES/ DISADVANTAGES OF THE WATER UTILIZATION FROM MEKHONG RIVER ALTERNATIVES ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES 1. Mekhong (Loei)- Ubonratana Dam (Khon Kaen)- Chee River 1) Water can flow to Thailand through gravity system 1) Water can be used only rainy season (In case of dry season, permission from 3 counties are necessary) 2. Mekhong (Nong Khai) Huay Luang (Udonthani) Chee River 3. Nam Ngung (Lao PDR) Nong Khai - Udonthani 1) Water can flow to Thailand through gravity system 2) Water increases 500 MCM/year 3) Increase agricultural land area 0.48 million acre 4) Investment cost 31,000 million baht 1) Water can flow to Thailand through gravity system both dry and rainy seasons 2) Water incresaes 2,000 MCM/year 3) Increase agricultural land area more than 1.20 million acre 4) Reduce drought problems 20,000 acre 5) Investment cost 76,763 million baht 1) Water can be used only rainy season (*) 2) Electricity 85 MW have to be used for level up the water level at 20 m. 1) Electricity 85 MW have to be used for level up the water level at 20 M 2) Increase the height of the Lam Paew Dam at 2 m 3) Need time to negotiate with Lao PDR for the water fee Table 2 : Comparison of the Advantages / Disadvantages of the water utilization from Mekhong River
Investment cost according to to alternative plans Western basins 82,528 million baht Eastern basins 93,936 million baht Southeastern basins 65,260 million baht 2.5% 7.8% Southwestern basins 21,285 million baht 2.5% Northern and central basins 373,459 million baht 44.6% 11.2% 24.1% Northeastern basins 333,516 million baht Figure 6: proportions of budget by basin groups
Investment cost according to to alternative plans Southeastern basins 65,260 million baht Southwestern basins 21,285 million baht Western basins 7.8% 2.5% 82,528 million baht 9.8% Northern and central basins 373,459 million baht Eastern basins 93,936 million baht 11.2% 24.1% 44.6% Northeastern basins 201,655 million baht Figure 7: proportions of budget by alternative plans
CONCLUSIONS Sustainable Development Strategy Reservoir management and enhancement of water consumption efficiency in irrigation project Flood prevention in areas Measures to minimize the out-season rice farming Promotion of cultivation of low water concerning economic crops
CONCLUSIONS Management and control of agricultural land use (zoning) in the Northeastern area Planning on the management of industrial expansion in the Eastern Basin Areas by promoting and supporting industries with low water use and low environment impact Systematic tourist area development planning in line with the existing water resources
RECOMMENDATIONS Drought and water shortage Formulation of clear strategies for agricultural, tourist and industrial development in line with the capacity of water resources Determination of economic agricultural areas in irrigation system area Promotion of low-water water consuming economic crops Formulation of irrigation development plans
RECOMMENDATIONS Flood-Non Structural measures should be initiated first Land use management, including city planning and land use boundary Determination of water reservoir for flood storage and water management for use during dry season
Waste water RECOMMENDATIONS There should be measures for controlling point sources of wastewater and measures to maintain and operate wastewater treatment facilities Strengthening capacities of the water-related related agencies and central and local government levels
RECOMMENDATIONS Issuance of water resources laws and acts Decentralization of authorities and responsibilities to basin-level organization Establishment of Basin Fund and National Water Resources Information Center Integrated Water Resources Management Plan