Over 9.5 Million Suffer As Drought Spreads

[george 2,880]

Over 9.5 million suffer as drought spreads to 66 provinces

BANGKOK: -- The nation is now firmly gripped by one of the worst droughts in decades, with official figures released today by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation showing that over 9.56 million people in 66 provinces are now affected by the weather conditions.

The drought has also caused damage to over 13.7 million rai of agricultural land, leading to economic losses of over Bt5.5 billion.

The department is now scrambling to provide water to those affected, and is pushing provincial authorities into making urgent payouts to assist suffering farmers and villagers.

The drought is expected to worsen over the coming three months, with 70 provinces out of the nation's 76 likely to be suffering drought conditions by May.

Of these, 10 provinces, including Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Buriram, Surin, Si Sa Ket, Ubon Ratchathani, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Mahasarakham and Roi Et, are suffering from severe drought, 23 from medium level drought, and 37 from minor drought.

Ten drought-stricken districts of Chiang Mai declared disaster Zone

CHIANG MAI: -- The province of Chiang Mai has declared ten drought-stricken districts “disaster zone,” warranting urgent help.

According to Mrs. Patrawan Sadudee, Chief of the Chiang Mai Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, the drought in these areas are affecting nearly 80,000 people in 17,674 households who are mostly farmers. These ten districts are Hot, Chom thong, Mae-On, Om-koi, Doi Lor, Samoeng, Doi-saket, Mae-Ai,Mae Chaem and Mae Rim.

The dry season which started since late last year has depleted the areas of water supply, and most heavily affected are rice farms along with longan, orange and maize plantations. Mrs Patrawan said the provincial authorities have allocated one million baht each in emergency relief for the districts of Prao and Doi-saked.

The government has set aside a fund of 50 million to each province to assist

farmers.

--TNA 2005-03-11

[Ijustwannateach 339]

I remember they were predicting this as long ago as the premature end of the rainy season late last year... don't suppose that really helped anyone prepare anything, though. If this is going to affect us until May, it could get really serious. Anybody think unit prices for water will go up as a result?

"Steven"

[ayakiawe 0]

WAKE UP CALL!

Not a good report I am afraid but what can you expect from what is happening in the last 30 years here in Thailand?

From my many years of observations here in Thailand, Thais generally know nothing about sustainable farming, soil and water conservation.

They burn nearly all organic material and most of their plastic as well.

I have asked many if they also burn their money in their bank account, wanting to stress the absolutely vital importance of the “organic cycling of nutrients” that they religiously continue to burn and waste year after year on the same piece of land, over and over.

If you think about it carefully you will see the insanity behind it.

In fact they actually are not farming at all, those “in the know” (I am afraid most readers of this web site are clueless as well, not just the Thais mind you) call this “mining”.

The farmers here are literally mining the soils and depleting them till nothing will grow, as in the large deserts which cover many areas of the world now and are growing at alarming speed.

Thais now are very heavy into chemical fertilizer and poisons which they liberally put on most of their lands.

Most of the leadership here in Thailand including the PM is clueless as well.

I am sure the chemical companies interest are wrapped tightly in the political powers that be and have no interests or ethical leadership principles to lead the uneducated masses out of this chemical quagmire they will find themselves in if they ever wake up that is.

You can’t keep doing this terrible thing forever. There will come a time when you must “pay the bill”.

But I am afraid this bill has accrued a lot of unpaid interest as well!

The rice farming particularly and now the corn farming techniques that they use here are creating a desert where once tropical paradise was enjoyed for eons.

The Thai people better wake up really fast or they will destroy the land possibly forever and loose this great country.

The King here actually has it right on this account (he is big time organic farming and permaculture supporter) but who is listening?

In reality almost no one it appears to me.

The Thais really think they know a lot (very proud about it too) but so far I have yet to meet but only a tiny few (can count on one hand easy) that have a clue what is gong on here environmentally speaking.

They have a new technology (chemical and mechanical farming) that will ruin them, as they absolutely don’t know what they are doing.

There are some Farangs and a handful of Thais here in Thailand and of coarse abroad who could offer important helpful solutions for the immediate and imminent environmental disasters which the country and the whole area is heading towards quickly.

The tsunami that just hit recently is nothing I am afraid compared to the man made environmental disaster which is here now and will continue to decimate large areas of this country in the next 1-15 years.

Anyone listening out there?

There are solutions!

Check out “Permaculture” that would be a great start for anyone with even half a brain.

I too am available if there is any interest too.

PM me and lets save Thailand before there is no Thailand left to save!

Edited March 11, 2005 by ayakiawe

[ayakiawe 0]

To me it’s interesting all the energy and comments (now more than 10 pages or so) from all the super important “Farang Thai Sex Experts” on the thread about the 61 year old Farang who got caught with a 16 year old compared to the small amount of attention that this thread has been given so far.

Its shows me that most Farang on this web site too have no inkling or the least bit of understanding of what is going on here or possibly anywhere environmentally speaking.

They think their plastic ATM cards will protect them from the “incidental problems” of this country.

Hey “Steven” my friend, if there is no water coming out of the sky or your sink pipes and the land is all desert (no food or water, hello anyone catching on?) it won’t make a ruck all difference what the unit price of water is my friend!

The Thais are all a in a western dream of environmental ignorance, I got that but what is the excuse for all the Farangs gross stupidity?

Pushing some buttons? I hope so!

[stoneman 3]

It seems like every year, we go through this same drought situation and it seems to get a little worse each year... But the interesting thing to me is that as I drive from Udon Thani to Nong Khai every year at Songkran time, the streets and highways are soaking wet with the water thrown by the locals. and this water is pulled directly from the city wells...What a waste and no one cares...

[frumau 0]

I see that 139 people are currently reading this topic so quite a few people are interested. If they have any knowledge on the subject is another thing. I for instance know about farming what I was taught in highschool and college. Nothing more. Bu t I do know the value of water conservation...

[mr_lob 203]

WAKE UP CALL!

Not a good report I am afraid but what can you expect from what is happening in the last 30 years here in Thailand?

From my many years of observations here in Thailand, Thais generally know nothing about sustainable farming, soil and water conservation.

They burn nearly all organic material and most of their plastic as well.

I have asked many if they also burn their money in their bank account, wanting to stress the absolutely vital importance of the “organic cycling of nutrients” that they religiously continue to burn and waste year after year on the same piece of land, over and over.

If you think about it carefully you will see the insanity behind it.

In fact they actually are not farming at all, those “in the know” (I am afraid most readers of this web site are clueless as well, not just the Thais mind you) call this “mining”.

The farmers here are literally mining the soils and depleting them till nothing will grow, as in the large deserts which cover many areas of the world now and are growing at alarming speed.

Thais now are very heavy into chemical fertilizer and poisons which they liberally put on most of their lands.

Most of the leadership here in Thailand including the PM is clueless as well.

I am sure the chemical companies interest are wrapped tightly in the political powers that be and have no interests or ethical leadership principles to lead the uneducated masses out of this chemical quagmire they will find themselves in if they ever wake up that is. 

You can’t keep doing this terrible thing forever. There will come a time when you must “pay the bill”.

But I am afraid this bill has accrued a lot of unpaid interest as well!

The rice farming particularly and now the corn farming techniques that they use here are creating a desert where once tropical paradise was enjoyed for eons.

The Thai people better wake up really fast or they will destroy the land possibly forever and loose this great country.

The King here actually has it right on this account (he is big time organic farming and permaculture supporter) but who is listening?

In reality almost no one it appears to me.

The Thais really think they know a lot (very proud about it too) but so far I have yet to meet but only a tiny few (can count on one hand easy) that have a clue what is gong on here environmentally speaking.

They have a new technology (chemical and mechanical farming) that will ruin them, as they absolutely don’t know what they are doing.

There are some Farangs and a handful of Thais here in Thailand and of coarse abroad who could offer important helpful solutions for the immediate and imminent environmental disasters which the country and the whole area is heading towards quickly.

The tsunami that just hit recently is nothing I am afraid compared to the man made environmental disaster which is here now and will continue to decimate large areas of this country in the next 1-15 years.

Anyone listening out there?

There are solutions!

Check out “Permaculture” that would be a great start for anyone with even half a brain.

I too am available if there is any interest too.

PM me and lets save Thailand before there is no Thailand left to save!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Quite a hatred you seem to have against your fellow farangs there buddy! So are westerners to blame for the drought? What, we did'nt educate them well enough on land conservation? The Thais that always welcome outside assistance?! no, surely not!

Edited March 11, 2005 by mr_lob

[milkyblueboy 0]

Forgive my ignorance, but i have been before when water was tight and everything seemed to go on as normal, but this warning seems a little more serious than before. I am planning on getting married in Khon Kaen (nam phong) in the last week in may/ first in june and my 10 yr old son will be coming, is there any hightened risk of disease, should i carry on with the planning as normal? I do appreciate any advice and again forgive the ignorance.

[atulmangalmurti 0]

I see that 139 people are currently reading this topic so quite a few people are interested. If they have any knowledge on the subject is another thing. I for instance know about farming what I was taught in highschool and college. Nothing more. Bu t I do know the value of water conservation...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

how many of you know to takew water out from well when eletricity and equipments are not present as in west?

[The_Eye_Of_Sauron 1]

To me it’s interesting all the energy and comments from all the super important “Farang Thai Sex Experts” on the thread about the 61 year old Farang who got caught with a 16 year old compared to the small amount of attention that this thread has been given so far.

Yes, you're right, but who wants to devote their leisure time to such serious topics when there's lots of amusing kakky ones about schmuks getting their come-uppance, from which we can derive lots of schadenfreude.

[Drew9906 0]

WAKE UP CALL!

I too am available if there is any interest too.

PM me and lets save Thailand before there is no Thailand left to save!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You are just the most wonderful intelligent person I have ever read, please, please save us all before its too late!! Only you are intelligent enough to do it.

And you wonder why the Thai's turn up their noses at your arrogance.

[kogrutter 0]

To state that the Thais are uninterested or arrogant about advice is just wrong. I suppose one could point out instances but for the most part I find Thais very concerned about their environment and about reversal technics and how to improve their biosphere. I represent a Denver based company that is working with the government to take municipal solid waste and gasify it and use the gas product to make ethanol. It's cutting edge technology and the government is going to install the equipment in Bangkok. It's non-polluting and manufactures a product that is at the least, bio-friendly. We also make water purification equipment that does not use chemicals. Been doing this for years. US Army uses the stuff in their field units. The Thai gov has shown positive interest in this as well. So the government is taking steps, they are not asleep and they have been extremely cooperative.

[magnolia_fan 0]

You can’t keep doing this terrible thing forever. There will come a time when you must “pay the bill”.

But I am afraid this bill has accrued a lot of unpaid interest as well!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Interesting rant. Even more interesting that you do not provide any positive solutions at all. Yes, we know the problems, what about suggesting what can and should be done to fix it? It is very easy to complain, anyone can do it. Your post is proof.

[bina 409]

i beg to differ:

go to the issan forum, we had a very lenghthy discussion at one point about farming; and yse the thai i work with have no clue... only those who have worked on kibbutzim here go back with new ideas but often very difficult for them to apply them due to age old ways of farming (drip irrigation was one method i had discussed and indeed one guy who worked here for 5 years took samples and phone numbers back with him... unfortunately, there once was an israeli irrigation project in thailand but it didnt work cause the workers cut the pipes continuously w/ their hoes etc and they didnt 'see' the water working so watered more... etc.....

i tried in the two weeks i was in one area of udon thani to discuss w/teachers and school children the importance of not wasting water.... when i handwashed clothes i would throw the water on the garden etc... they thought it was a waste of time.... to me , it is habit.... i am a farmer and i come from a drought stricken country and we know the worth of water since we pay per cubic liter for every tree plant and flower... our kibbutz does not plant large green lawns and beautiful flowers that need water, we recycle for agric., even in my park the duck pond and fish pond are closed circle etc..... the thai workes thought this was a waste of energy,

my worker/friend continues to water our vetetable garden manually for an hour even though we dont NEED to water every day and there is drip irrigation... i've seen these guys learning about biological (organic) orchards etc.from their work here with apples, peaches, grapes etc.. but they prefer to spray spray spray and hormones are even better!!!its the same as the hunting wildlife problem.... here it is illegal and i try to explain about conservation, their answer is always: there's plenty of xxxxx , no problem to hunt....

maybe some of the falang living in thailand should do what plachon and others had suggested: plant hard wood trees instead of the lucrative rubber trees, etc etc.... but when push comes to shove... poor people look to become wealthy and environment is not first on the list, and rich people/companies dont care and will continue to build large swimming pools, green golf courses that do use large amounts of water, etc at the expense of the farmer and his need for water....

as anyone can tell you, without grass roots education the poor thai farmers will suffer from their own hand (no money to change methods and no way to implement even if they wanted to) and also suffer from the richer techno agriculture companies and public in general

true i was only in the issan area one month, but i am a farmer and i kept my eyes and ears open to watch irrigation methods, animal mangement, water management (or lack thereof) etc....

having worked with old-timer goat herders here (in israel) i know how difficult it is to change an older farmer's methods and convince him that new methods are sometimes better and he will see results.... it involves getting your hands dirty, feet full of sh-t and hot sun on your back to make changes, and not just talking about it in the news and in offices... if i ever had the money to go back to thailand, i would, just to help work on those issues from the bottom level, one on one.

how to change: every person on this forum who lives in thailand can make small changes, or help his/her family make small slight changes that add up and make a difference in dealing with saving water, proper use of fertilizer /organic etc farming... not done all at once but very very slowly... when results speak for themselves, than people will want to expand and change...

10 years ago there was no organic farming etc in israel on large scale, now everyone is interested for money, ideology whatever.... we never recycled anything, now my kids drive me nuts about newspapers, plastic whatever.... they get it in school, i get it from the agric. ministry.... for the old farmers, this was all difficult, but gradually changes are made....

i know im ranting but this is a sore subject for me, lack of water.... i know what it means when there is no graze land for goats which means less milk, etc then the cost of hay goes up; no water means the crops dont develop properly etc etc.... we count the millimeters of rain every day; has the sea of galilee risen enough to make it through the summer, does this mean we can plant this type of cotton or let the field lie fallow cause no water to irrigate etc.... i am following this in thailand very closely as my friends have land in buriram and i can empathize... i know his wife walks a few kilo. for water now every day etc....

[The_Eye_Of_Sauron 1]

The King here actually has it right on this account (he is big time organic farming and permaculture supporter) but who is listening?

Nitrogenous fertilizer will always rule. Its cheapest and nothing makes your crops grow as fast for so little upfront cash. Asia, across the board, is making capital investment in more new chemical fertilizer plants.

Organic/biological fertilizers are very effective, but rural people here aren't assed about mastering the details. (...and are there sufficient bio-fertilizer plants?)

Kibbutz methods are great and produce high yields with high quality and low wastage, but over large industrial-scale farming here, these methods won't be applied.

Now, back to my raunch n' filth topics......

Edited March 11, 2005 by The_Eye_Of_Sauron