The government is set to revive a 200-billion-baht water management initiative aimed at alleviating severe flooding in the Yom River basin in Northern Thailand, reigniting discussions around the contentious Kaeng Sua Ten dam. Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai announced plans to propose that the cabinet include water improvement on the national agenda, backed by a substantial budget.
Originally introduced over a decade ago by a previous administration, the project stalled following the 2014 coup. The Yom River, which originates in Phayao province, flows through Phrae and Sukhothai, serving as a crucial water resource for these areas before merging with the Nan River in Nakhon Sawan.
Phumtham emphasized the need for flood storage areas along the Yom River, comparable to existing systems on rivers like the Ping, Wang, and Nan. He called for community engagement, urging government opponents to consider the perspectives of those who have faced flooding their entire lives.
The financial estimation for the project has ballooned since its inception from an initial 2–3 trillion baht to a projected 5–6 trillion. Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has voiced that the current administration must prioritize “megaprojects” to combat persistent flooding and drought challenges.
Plodprasop Suraswadi, a former deputy premier and chief of the Royal Forestry Department, advocates for the construction of the Kaeng Sua Ten dam, highlighting recent rainfall in the region that overwhelmed existing water management systems. He criticized the inadequate infrastructure along the Yom River, asserting that current flood mitigation methods may not withstand severe weather events.
Conversely, Hannarong Yaowalers, chairman of the Foundation for Integration of Water Management, opposes the dam, citing unresolved environmental and social concerns. He argues that recent research indicates a broader flood zone than initially anticipated, necessitating further studies and public consultations before proceeding.
Caretaker Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin has also recommended the establishment of a significant dam in Sukhothai to address recurrent flooding issues, noting a substantial disparity in the river’s flow capacity from Si Satchanalai to Sukhothai. The ongoing discussions highlight the critical need for effective water management strategies to safeguard communities vulnerable to flooding.
