Experts raise concerns about transparency in flood-prevention measures.

Seree Supharatid, director of the Rangsit University’s Centre on Climate Change and Disaster Centre, yesterday expressed concerns over the government’s spending plan for flood prevention in the long run.

He said the country may not get the best flood solutions as Plodprasop Suraswadee, minister of science and technology, demanded that foreign and local contractors submit their conceptual plan within three months from now.

"The three-month period is too short to make a good proposal; it should be at least six months," said Seree, at a seminar hosted by the Anti-Corruption Network movement.

He explained that in the short period, contractors could not make the best proposal as the landscape has been totally changed after the devastating flood last year. Since then industrial parks, communities and individuals have built their own flood barriers, he said.

"Even if it is a small river basin we spend about two years studying it," he said.

He said that flood prevention was not like building roads and railways as the flood plan needs a combination of various projects, such as water retention, flood barriers and floodways.

The government plans to spend Bt300 billion to create a flood prevention system in the Chao Phraya River basin and Bt40 billion on other basins while another Bt10 billion is for other infrastructure projects.

He warned that the government should not rush and plan only for the next 20 years but should look 50 to 100 years ahead. For example, Bangkok is sinking every year by 2.5 centimetres and within 50 years it will sink 1.5 metres.

Tortrakul Yomnak, an engineer, shared the same view, saying that it could create unfair competition among bidders. Some firms from some countries have already set up offices in Bangkok for a year while others have not done yet and they must submit their plans within three months, he said.

Moreover, local construction firms will be at a disadvantage compared to foreign firms as the government requires eligible firms have a record of constructing projects worth Bt30 billion in the past.

As the government has to borrow to finance such projects, Thai firms should be involved in the construction of the flood prevention system, he said.

Due to lack of transparency, Tortrakul said he was afraid that the new investment would be a repeat of the corruption-ridden waste-water treatment project (known as Klongdan) costing Bt23 billion.

Jane Namchaisiri, vice chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, said the government does not have a clear plan on spending Bt60 billion for the water catchment areas. He was afraid that politicians would deliver projects that will only support their political base.

Somkiart Anurat, vice chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, also expressed his concern about the Bt120 billion budget to compensate and rehabilitate flood victims. He said that there are some reports of irregularities in digging canals in Ayutthaya.

Supoj Tovichakchairkul, deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, argued that the first phase of the plan is only to invite private firms to present their conceptual plan. The government has not yet come up with the terms of reference for the projects.