PM's adviser proposes tunnel from Salween River to Tak dam

Uthen described the project as a solution to both flooding and water shortages. 

He said water management at Tak’s Bhumibol Dam should be adjusted and the reservoir’s water level lowered in preparation for possible rainstorms throughout the year. The dam could then play a role as a waterretention area, he said. 

Uthen said the tunnel, when built, would be able to send 3,000 cubic metres of water to the Bhumibol Dam per second. The volume should be large enough to generate electricity, he said. 

The tunnel project won the green light from the Cabinet in 2004 during the administration of Yingluck’s brother Thaksin. But the project was scrapped after Thaksin lost power. 

Uthen plans to present the project for Yingluck to consider on Wednesday. 

“If we don’t act fast, Burma and China may invest in the Salween River instead, and Thailand will lose many opportunities,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday said he hoped the government would be able to answer his 10 questions about its water and floodmanagement policies. 

One of them was about the accuracy of the mathematical model being used to develop an earlywarning system. 

“The [governmentappointed] Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management has said the system will be ready by January. I would like to ask about the system now,” Abhisit said. 

He was speaking at a seminar held by the Democrat Party, as Yingluck’s administration planned a tour of many provinces to tackle flood problems. 

Chamadon Chomchoengphaet, an executive at tempuraflour maker Gogi, said at the seminar that he had not yet fully repaired Gogi’s factory in Ayutthaya because he was worried that more floods may come. 

“I hope the government will improve the earlywarning system,” he said.