Water expert denies reports he is quitting
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Pramote Maiklad, a prominent water expert, yesterday denied reports that the Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management was embroiled in a serious internal conflict and that he would be leaving it soon.
“I have never said that I would quit,” he insisted, adding that there was no conflict among panel members.
Pramote, a former chief of the Royal Irrigation Department, was recruited to the SCWRM alongside many high-profile figures in the wake of last year’s flood crisis.
The committee is tasked with improving the country’s water management and minimising future flood risks.
Last week, Pramote told a seminar that there had been no clear guidelines on how to deal with future flooding in Bangkok and surrounding provinces, and that the government had yet to come up with a water-resources management proposal.
Smith Dhammasaroj, who heads the National Disaster Warning Council, said last week that he had stopped attending SCWRM meetings.
“I see no point in showing up because no one really listens to my advice,” he said.
Pramote yesterday insisted, however, that the SCWRM was not in a state of conflict.
Chaipattana Foundation secretary-general Sumet Tantivejkul, an adviser to the SCWRM, said he found reports about the likely resignations of some members boring.
“I’ve found it common for SCWRM members to have some different academic opinions,” he said, adding that the SCWRM had nonetheless already released its short-term plan.
In a related development, many dams are reported to be brimming with water.
Bhumibol Dam, for example, contained 11.435 billion cubic metres of water yesterday. This was 3.788 billion cubic metres higher than on the same day last year.
According to Senator Somchai Sawaengkarn, Sirikit Dam is 83 per cent full, while Pasak Jolasid Dam is 80 per cent full and Lamtakong Dam is at 86 per cent of its capacity.
Meanwhile, Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra yesterday said he planned to ensure that canal dredging in the capital be completed by May, as a precautionary measure.
Opposition Leader and Democrat Party chief Abhisit Vejjajiva said David Lipman, ambassador/ head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Thailand, had expressed concern |to him about the current availability of reasonably priced flood insurance in the Kingdom.
“Such a problem clearly reflects something about the level of confidence in Thailand,” the former prime minister said.
