Head of key water-resource panel quits, denies rifts
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One of the government's most prominent scientific advisers, Royol Jitdon, has tendered his resignation from a subcommittee tasked with analysing and allocating water resources.
The move raises concerns that the country’s water-management plans and development of a water database will be disrupted.
Royol yesterday said simply that his resignation was intended to allow an accurate evaluation of the subcommittee’s performance.
“A proper evaluation will lead to changes or improvements,” he said without elaborating.
Royal chaired the subcommittee, which is under the supervision of the Water and Flood Management Commission.
Royol had played a prominent role on the subcommittee since it was established in May. He spearheaded water-drainage tests in Bangkok and efforts to curtail the impact of Tropical Storm Gaemi. He also spoke up in defence of the government’s water-management policies on many occasions.
However, his credibility has recently been called into question, with some water experts describing Royol as more of a mathematician than a water guru.
Royol yesterday denied having conflicts with anyone or detecting any flaw in the government’s water-management plans.
“It’s just that the water situation has returned to normal. Aside from this, my resignation will allow capable people to step in and contribute to the country’s water management,” he said.
Royol said he would focus on his work at the Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute (HAII), where he serves as director.
“I have much business to tend to at the HAII,” he said.
An informed source said the government’s trust in Royol had led to the approval of 14 projects aimed at facilitating the development of a national water database. These projects, the source said, required a budget of Bt1.98 billion. Nine of the projects will be overseen by the HAII.
One of the important missions of the HAII is to set up a National Water Database Centre, which will integrate water and weather information from all relevant agencies such as the Royal Irrigation Department, the Meteorological Department, the Hydrographic Department and the Mineral Resources Department.
Some observers suggested Royol’s resignation from the government-appointed subcommittee could be a sign of problems at the heart of the country’s water-management apparatus.
