‘Humans to blame’ for devastating floods in Northern Thailand

Wat Pha Sukaram in Chiang Rai's Mae Sai is seen submerged in floodwater in early September. Its abbot at the time used the temple's Facebook page to request for help from good Samaritans for those stranded in their homes near the temple. (Photo: Wat Pha Sukaram Facebook Page)
Wat Pha Sukaram in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai can be seen submerged in stormwater in the first few days of September. The temple’s priest at the time requested assistance from good Samaritan for those trapped in their homes close to the church. ( Photo: Wat Pha Sukaram Facebook Page )

This time, flooding has devastated a lot of Thailand.

More than 50 persons died earlier in the year in the North, and at least 25 have died in the South. While culture change is largely concerned, there are specific man-made reasons for the crisis, Pianporn” Pai” Deetes told Bangkok Post’s” Deeper Dive” vodcast.

The Southeast Asia project director for the NGO International Rivers identified three distinct foundations for the problem: forest, rivers and invasion.

Ironic that a factor in flood is also to blame for the annual PM2.5 cloud in northeastern Thailand, which is caused by locals ‘ suffering as Ms Pianporn described citizens ‘ situation. Forest to grow maize for dog supply, and the subsequent using of the cornfields.

Mine is also a factor, especially in the Shan State, which is close to the border with Myanmar and burns the forests down to flower maize.

” Satellite pictures showed they are miners– may be gold mine, and it seems to be illegal … in Myanmar after the revolt three years ago, there are no such laws in place”, she told the vodcast.

” In Myanmar, there are fewer reviews because there isn’t enough journalism or civil society place.

There are also numerous activities, including opened mining sites in the Mae Sai River’s higher reaches as well as monocrop plantations, which are known to be a major cause of the mud floods in the Chiang Rai district and Tachileik district of Myanmar.

Forest causes a lot of mud and sand to flow into cities, villages, and towns, which “exacerbates” the storm effect on population.

” The treatment is still taking place in Mae Sai. The large machines are also bringing the sand and all of their people’s homes, according to Ms. Pianporn.

Northern Thailand’s flood is also a result of the increasing number of dams inland.

The advocate claimed that the dams on the Mekong, which were affected by the recent floods, are responsible for the release of water because it also happened in southwestern Yunnan [in China ] during the past two decades.

” We can see that the storm place in Chiang Rai drained more slowly because of the large volume ] of water along the Mekong River.

We are not blaming anyone, but [but ] I think China, as an inland power, needs to listen to its downstream neighbors because we are sharing this water course up.” So, it is important in the case of the Mekong, or in the case of any foreign streams like this, for governments to talk to each other.

She stated that the Office of Water Resources has written to China asking them to stop operating the dams because of their negative effects on [adjacent areas and floods.

Pianporn: Don't work against nature

Pianporn: Don’t work against nature

Apart from dams and deforestation, Ms. Pianporn identified encroachment on the rivers as a significant cause of flooding.

” I discussed with one historian…the real cause of this flood in Chiang Rai city. Even my mother’s foundation office, which is located on the edge of Chiang Rai town, was depicted in the old images of the old city of Chiang Rai.

” So our office is right on the old river!” And we didn’t know that,’ ‘ she said.

Building flood walls, she argues, is not the answer.

” They have a flood wall between the river and the city in many cases, much like Sukhothai or Nakhon Sawan.” However, flood walls are frequently cited as being extremely dangerous because they can break and have an even greater impact.

” So I think for the cities or towns in the northern region, I will recommend nature-based solutions,’ ‘ she said.

Ms Pianporn is a supporter of” sponge cities”, integrating towns with wetlands and lakes.

But in some cases, she said”, moving communities out of very dangerous areas to other places “is inevitable. But this should not be forced, she said, noting it should be carried out in an inclusive manner, with affected residents adequately compensated.

According to Ms Pianporn, the primary requirement right now is to start addressing the issues and working with nature rather than against it, and collaboration from stakeholders is required.

” I think the most important thing is that to recognise the real problem and identify the key factors and consult with multiple stakeholders, the experts, the engineers, the farmers, the urban dwellers and academics,” she said.

We should work together, not just the Ministry of Interior or the Royal Irrigation Department. I think we can as a group, but I still don’t see this kind of thoughtful discussion with various stakeholders, Ms Pianporn said.