BANGKOK, 20 August 2013 Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has insisted that the 350-billion-baht water management project will help boost Thailand’s potential in handling water shortage and preventing floods in the country.
In her speech at the High-Level International Conference on Water Cooperation in Tajikistan, Ms. Yingluck said that the Thai government’s water project covers the management of water resources in the upstream, midstream and downstream areas. The Prime Minister claimed that the project will help maintain balance in the ecosystem of the rivers and improve the storage of excess water for irrigation purposes so that constant water supply can be provided for the industrial and agricultural sectors in the dry season.
The Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of reforestation, saying the forests can help absorb rainwater in upstream regions and stave off soil erosion in downstream areas.
Technologies, such as the satellite imaging system and computer simulation, are being used to increase the accuracy of weather forecasts and raise the efficiency of the country’s disaster warning system. Ms. Yingluck said in her statement that she would like to see various countries join hands in establishing a disaster prevention system for the safety of the people.
The Prime Minister also voiced support for the integrated water and related resources management-based basin development strategy, which has been formulated by the Mekong River Commission. Lastly, she announced that Thailand will be hosting a forum on the sustainable development of the Greater Mekong Subregion early next month, during which the issues of climate change and natural disasters will be brought up as well.
