Water shortages as water is diverted to orange orchardists
Mae Ai rice farmers presented a letter of complaint to the Chiang Mai governor asking him to resolve a water rights issue that has resulted in water being diverted from rice farming to orange orchards in the district. The farmers state this has left them with a water shortage for the next crop of rice.
Led by Anan Sunthorn and Somsak Kienkaew, the group of about 350 farmers presented the letter of complaint to Chiang Mai Governor Pawin Chamniprasart stating that they were now facing a water shortage as orchardists were taking water directly from the source.
The farmers requested that officers enforce the National and Forest laws in regards to land and water usage. Farmers in Mae Sao sub-district are facing a water shortage and have asked a separate reservoir be built in the area to cope with the water usage.
Deputy Governor Manus Kansai received the letter to pass on to the governor and said a commission will be appointed to investigate.
