Plodprasop backs controversial dam plan
The government will revive a 200-billion-baht water management project to mitigate severe flooding in the Yom River basin in the North, amid calls to revisit the controversial Kaeng Sua Ten Dam plan.
Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai announced the step yesterday, before distributing 200 relief bags to flood-affected residents in Sukhothai province.
He said he plans to propose to the cabinet on Tuesday that it make water management a national priority with a budget of 200 billion baht.
This plan was initially launched by the Yingluck Shinawatra administration but was interrupted by a coup.
Mr Phumtham’s move follows recent heavy floods in Chiang Rai, Nan, and Phrae, which have increased water volumes flowing to downstream provinces such as Sukhothai and Phitsanulok.
The Yom River originates in the Phi Pan Nam Range in Pong district, Phayao province. It flows through Phrae and Sukhothai provinces, serving as the main water resource for both, before joining the Nan River at Chum Saeng district in Nakhon Sawan.
“If everyone here agrees, we [the government] would reconsider the plan to ensure that the Yom River has flood storage areas similar to those for the Ping, Wang, and Nan rivers,” he said.
Mr Phumtham said that those who oppose the proposed project should discuss their concerns with those suffering from floods.
“The voices of flood victims matter,” he added.
Mr Phumtham previously discussed the plan during a visit to Nan province, where he inspected flood relief operations and provided supplies for flood victims.
He mentioned that once the new government is in office, this water management project will be presented for consideration.
Last week, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra suggested at a local forum that the new government should undertake several “megaprojects” during its term, particularly to address the country’s chronic flooding and drought issues.
Meanwhile, former deputy prime minister Plodprasop Suraswadi advocated for the construction of the Kaeng Sua Ten Dam in Phrae to prevent flooding in the North.
Mr Plodprasop wrote on Facebook that there was 500-700 millimetres of rain in just five days in Phayao, Nan, and Phrae, which could amount to five billion cubic metres of water.
He said this water flowed through the Yom River in Phrae at a rate of 1,700 cubic metres per second.
However, when the water reached Sukhothai, authorities opted to build soil barriers or concrete walls along the riverbanks with minimal structural reinforcement, especially at the foundation.
He said these walls might protect the community from flooding if the water level is not too high. But if the water level exceeds the walls, controlling the overflow becomes impossible.
Strong water currents, particularly at river bends, have caused the walls to crack in multiple places along the Yom River in Sukhothai. If these walls collapse, it could cause significant damage and pose a danger to the community, he warned.
Mr Plodprasop emphasised the need to push for a water diversion project using the Had Saphan Chan water gate over a 30-kilometre distance within the next year. Otherwise, similar flooding may occur again next year.
Hannarong Yaowalers, chairman of the Foundation for Integration of Water Management, disagreed with the idea of constructing the dam.
“Anyone who believes the Kaeng Sua Ten Dam should be built needs to understand the issue thoroughly,” he said.
According to him, the planned dam is expected to hold 1,175 million cubic metres of water, with the project’s feasibility study indicating a potential flooding area of 45,625 rai.
However, he cited research suggesting the flooding area could extend to 65,625 rai, a discrepancy of 20,000 rai. He recommended a new study, as the latest one is over 30 years old and the data will have changed.