The history of economic development in Thailand is littered with examples of environmental development which are not just unsustainable but which are actively destructive. Examples of this include logging of teak wood, encouragement of traffic and the proliferation of inland prawn farming, without adequate research into the consequences of upsetting the ecosystem. Conservation of resources has traditionally been part of the preserve of Buddhist education of Thai people and the rise of materialism has subverted reverence for the environment without proposing suitable alternative methods for preserving it.
Pak Moon Dam and Water Management Issues
The continuing controversy of the Pak Moon Dam reveals just what an important and emotive subject damming has become. It is one that is sure to attract the attentions of international environmental groups who, through modern communications technology such as the internet, are able to mount large scale and visible campaigns quite conveniently. However, the Thai government seems set to stir up more controversy through the decision of the EGAT to sign an agreement with the government of Myanmar to dam the Salween River at a point on the border of the two countries. Not only is demand for the hydroelectricity that might be produced by the dam far from proven, as too for the other possible benefits it might have, but there are genuine concerns that the developers would use the opportunity to remove forcibly ethnic minority peoples occupying the area who are seen as problematic by the Myanmar government.
The flow of the Mekong, too, is further threatened by the plans to blast the rapids at several locations in China and also along the Thai-Lao border. Chinese authorities apparently want to enable boats as large as 500 tonnes to navigate the river yearlong, although again there is little evidence that this capacity is required now or in the foreseeable future. The food security of millions who depend upon the Mekong is already threatened by existing changes to the flow of the river: it is not known what impact blasting the river will have.
Concentrated urban development in the kingdom, especially around Bangkok, has placed considerable strain upon the ability of government to provide water and sewage services to residents. In addition to the Chao Phraya River, many klongs (canals) are polluted beyond safe levels. Meanwhile, the efforts to build new sanitation and wastewater treatment plants have become mired in a welter of allegations reminiscent of the type of corruption that should have been rooted out long ago.
Pak Moon Dam and Water Management Issues
The continuing controversy of the Pak Moon Dam reveals just what an important and emotive subject damming has become. It is one that is sure to attract the attentions of international environmental groups who, through modern communications technology such as the internet, are able to mount large scale and visible campaigns quite conveniently. However, the Thai government seems set to stir up more controversy through the decision of the EGAT to sign an agreement with the government of Myanmar to dam the Salween River at a point on the border of the two countries. Not only is demand for the hydroelectricity that might be produced by the dam far from proven, as too for the other possible benefits it might have, but there are genuine concerns that the developers would use the opportunity to remove forcibly ethnic minority peoples occupying the area who are seen as problematic by the Myanmar government.
The flow of the Mekong, too, is further threatened by the plans to blast the rapids at several locations in China and also along the Thai-Lao border. Chinese authorities apparently want to enable boats as large as 500 tonnes to navigate the river yearlong, although again there is little evidence that this capacity is required now or in the foreseeable future. The food security of millions who depend upon the Mekong is already threatened by existing changes to the flow of the river: it is not known what impact blasting the river will have.
Concentrated urban development in the kingdom, especially around Bangkok, has placed considerable strain upon the ability of government to provide water and sewage services to residents. In addition to the Chao Phraya River, many klongs (canals) are polluted beyond safe levels. Meanwhile, the efforts to build new sanitation and wastewater treatment plants have become mired in a welter of allegations reminiscent of the type of corruption that should have been rooted out long ago.
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