The development of two controversial water diversion projects would comply with an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study requirements, the government insists.
Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Gen Chatchai Sarikulya said yesterday the government wants to study the prospects of diverting water from rivers forming a border line with neighbouring countries.
He said the projects required a precise plan to ensure they would bring benefits to the country with minimal impact on the environment and local communities.
He said the ministry will follow all legal procedures, including an EIA study.
He was responding to concerns voiced by environmental activists and residents that the projects would bypass an EIA study as the government moves to tackle the severe drought.
Activists have raised concerns the government might use its special powers under Section 44 of the interim charter to waive the EIA procedure for the megaprojects which they believe present risks for the environment and communities.
"We will follow the rules. If the project has failed to pass the EIA requirement, it cannot happen. We need to follow the laws and listen to the people's voice on the projects," he said. "For sure, these projects will not happen in a short period."
On Monday, the National Water Resources Committee (NWRC) approved, in principle, two projects to divert river water for agricultural purposes to overcome a water shortfall.
Under the plan, the government would spend 64 million baht on the water diversion projects.
About 50 billion baht is slated to divert water from the Yuam River in Mae Hong Son, while 14 billion has been set aside to divert water from the Nam Ngum River in Laos to the Huai Luang reservoir in Udon Thani and the Pao River in Kalasin.
The projects are intended to supply water to 300,000 rai of farm land, mainly in the Northeast.
Gen Chatchai will visit the project areas this week.
Activists are concerned that the project's high cost will not yield the intended results.
Hannarong Yaowalers, chairman of Thai-Water Partnerships, said the project to divert water from Laos is unlikely to succeed due to the cost involved.
According to the plan, Thailand will purchase water releases from the Nam Ngum dam to the Mekong River and divert around 2,000 million cubic metres per year to Thailand.
It means the government must pay two billion baht per year for buying the water.