“Bhumibol Dam Water Increasing Project

Mae Hong Son Province” or that many people may be more familiar with in the name of

The Yuam Water Diversion Project or a ten-billion-dollar giant project whose goal is to secure water resources for the country as a whole according to the 20-year water resource management master plan (2018). -2580) by diverting excess water from the Yuam River to collect at the Bhumibol Dam Reservoir to support the use within the Chao Phraya River Basin, both now and in the future, which is increasing day by day.

The project has been studied to bring significant benefits to the country.

especially in terms of economics

Because water diversion will not only help the agricultural sector.

but also to the industry

tourism, consumption, both for water users in the central region

and residents at the Nam Yuam dam construction site

to benefit from developing areas in various fields

improve well-being

However, this Yuam water diversion project is considered a large scale project with many stakeholders.

Throughout the study period of the project, from its inception in 2016 until the project passed the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) last year, there were many questions and concerns about the construction.

And in order to answer questions and open up perspectives on the project at the same time, on March 15, 2023, the Royal Irrigation Department held a forum "Yes"

at Chuchat Kam Phu Auditorium, Irrigation Development Institute, Royal Irrigation Department, Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi Province, with live broadcasts via social media channels.

So that interested parties can listen and send questions to experts in each field.

In this forum, there were experts from various sectors to share their opinions.

Discuss the pros and cons and why the Yuam Diversion Project is necessary in fact.

covering both climate change issues

which may affect flooding and drought, current and future water management guidelines of the Royal Irrigation Department, ideas for increasing productivity for maximum efficiency of water use

Including the construction management process that is standardized

with understanding of concerned people in all sectors

The starting point of the Yuam Water Diversion Project was to look for a way to increase the amount of “cost water” to the Bhumibol Dam Reservoir, which is at risk of shortage, by Mr. Pornchai Kansit, Director of Specific Areas and Key Projects Group

gave information that

The amount of runoff in Thailand each year is about 210,000 million cubic meters, but we can store about 82,000 million cubic meters or about 40% only, although the water demand in Thailand is about 110,000 million. cubic meters, especially in the Chao Phraya Basin, the average demand is about 7,000 million cubic meters.

In the Bhumibol Dam Reservoir, there is an average volume of only 5,642 million cubic meters per year, which if the Yuam water diversion project is completed, will be able to help solve this problem because it will be able to divert water up to about 1,795.25 million cubic meters per year. . (which is equal to 60% of the runoff in the Yuam River

which is the theoretical appropriate amount) and the water that is diverted when combined with the original cost water in the Bhumibol Dam reservoir will have a volume of approximately 7,437 million cubic meters, which is sufficient for the entire area.

Khun Pornchai added that the agency needs to think about the future.

Due to the current water behavior in Thailand has changed a lot.

there is unstable variance

have to fall together

there is a gap

Therefore, hedging is necessary.

In which this project will greatly help with stability according to the 20-year water master plan, what we must continue to do is when it comes to change, how will it be used?

On the issue of use,

winner

Leader of water change for the year 2021 from the National Water Resources Office

further commented that

in water management

Thailand has been working in parallel in two dimensions.

creating additional water sources

Including pulling water from other sources to use

The second dimension is saving water costs.

With the 3R Recycle Reduce Reuse method, in the past, we have used quite a lot of water reuse methods.

But what needs to be accelerated is to reduce water consumption in all sectors.

The goal of the country is to reduce by 15%, or it can be said that management with various approaches is necessary to support the future.

In addition, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bancha also emphasized that changes in the agricultural sector are also important, for example, adjusting the methods of growing crops that use less water.

more productive

including looking for new plant species

more quality

or is needed by the world market more

These guidelines will make the profit per rai more worthwhile with the water cost.

This is another effective management method.

on adaptation and looking for ways to use water efficiently in water use

This is in line with academic information by

As part of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Thailand has predicted that Thailand is heading towards facing extreme and inevitable climate change.

There will be more flooding and prolonged drought.

So it's important that we look for ways to live with it.

The Nam Yuam project is one of the ways to help here. However, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Seree emphasizes a lot on the study of the outcome or the results that the water users will get.

Because just adding water alone will not help at all.

but must include adjustments to the production process

looking for ways for farmers to live well

Efficient use of water by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Seree commented that

“In the future, the temperature will be infinitely higher.

As the temperature rises, the cost water evaporates.

Climate change will affect the events that will happen, drought, flood, we can't deny.

But the question is how are we going to live with it?

is definitely this project

If we look only at the fact that we bring water

Of course it's already good.

But the next question is

bring water

Is the efficiency of water use good or not?

It's about management too.”

Regarding adaptation in the agricultural sector,

participated in expressing their opinions in the forum that

Nowadays, farmers themselves are more familiar with the adaptation from being close to the Royal Irrigation Department and always knowing the water release policy each year.

Therefore, it is quite confident that the agricultural sector will be able to cooperate with various approaches.

recommended by the public

Especially myself as a farmer is very pleased that this project will happen.

because it is believed that the amount of water diverted in will make the farmers have a better living

Mr. Sornchai mentioned that Bhumibol Dam had been asked about the project before construction.

But when completed, the dam created enormous economic value in the area from the bottom of the dam.

Whether it is Kamphaeng Phet, Nakhon Sawan, Phichit, on the east bank of the Ping River.

and the west bank of the Yom River

From the exchange of opinions in the forum

The data shows that this project can create stability, reduce risks, create new opportunities.

However, one of the concerns raised was how much the construction process would affect the surrounding area.

Especially about disturbing nature, forests, local fish and communities.

In this aspect,

clarified on various issues that in fact the project had an expert assess all impacts intensively until it was able to be certified by the EIA, which had been in operation since 2016, which was a reasonable period of time.

It's not an urgent preparation.

Previously, misunderstandings may have been passed on to the public sector.

But from now on, after the EIA has been passed, relevant parties and the Royal Irrigation Department will continue to communicate facts to those who still have concerns to create mutual understanding.

In addition,

also helped to reassure people in the project area who were still worried that

At the material dumping point, the area will be adjusted so that people in the community can benefit in conjunction with the development of projects in terms of roads and electrical systems.

In addition, people in the area have been engaged in water conservation.

for a better life sustainably

On the side of

has added that the cost of water that is diverted will have a low cost because of the system. Irrigation in the water storage area is complete. In addition, there is no charge for water for agriculture because this project is considered welfare for the people.

According to the Water Resources Act, B.E. 2561

Summary of this seminar

Although there is still no clear answer on how much the project will benefit as planned.

But it is an extremely interesting first step as the forum brings together experts from various fields to share their views.

to look for benefits that will arise from the combined water diversion project

This project may play an important role in helping Thailand overcome the climate crisis that will affect the amount of water costs that will occur in the near future, as Assoc. Prof. Dr. Seree Supharathit has

. said

“IPCC predicts that the future will be very dry.

While experts say that's not the case anymore.

it's faster than that

Its acceleration is closer.

The future is inevitable about drought.

Don't say you won't find it.

Because there is sure

The question is how to solve the problem.

It is imperative that we adjust.

Nam Yuam is one of the measures for this.”

According to the study, it is estimated that when the project is completed, the total economic value from agricultural benefits will be more than 17,431 million baht per year. saltwater, creating career opportunities

and attaching wings to the tourism industry both in the Nam Yuam Dam and in the Doi Tao Lake area.

which will become a rafting point that can be visited all year round

Not just in the water months as before.

However, the story after this of the Yuan River Diversion Project is still something that all parties must follow closely.

as an important project that may help make the future lifestyles of all Thai people more stable

with stable and sustainable water resources

For more information on the Yuam Water Diversion Project, please visit Facebook official page: Royal Irrigation Department.