Natthapong Inspects Nan Floods, Cites Complex Causes
Opposition leader Natthapong Ruangpanyawut plans to visit Nan province for flood recovery, emphasizing that deforestation is not the sole cause of severe flooding.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Natthapong schedules a visit to Nan province for post-flood recovery operations
- Stresses that flooding stems from multiple factors including urban expansion and climate change
- Urges upgrading the Thong Noi weir and transferring management to the Royal Irrigation Department
On August 21 at 3:45 PM in Mae Ai district, Chiang Mai province, list-MP and People's Party leader Natthapong Ruangpanyawut, acting as the Leader of the Opposition, gave an interview regarding the flood crisis and relief efforts in Nan province. He noted that since flooding began in Pua district until water levels receded into the recovery phase, the People's Party deployed representatives to the area from the very beginning. This team included both Nan MPs and Phatcharapong Leelapat, Chiang Mai MP and Chairman of the House Committee on Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, alongside network volunteers to assist affected citizens directly.
Regarding his personal visit to the disaster zone, Natthapong stated that he is fully prepared to visit during the recovery period, pending a review of his schedule as the parliamentary session approaches. He affirmed his commitment to travel and support the public personally whenever possible.
Addressing water management and infrastructure improvements, Natthapong discussed the Thong Noi weir. Based on his field visits and local testimonies, the frequency of floods differed noticeably before and after the weir's construction. While climate change plays a role, the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency under the Ministry of Energy acknowledged that local topography is ill-suited for power generation, while the Royal Irrigation Department is well-equipped to manage it.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Water management in the Nan river basin represents a complex challenge requiring multi-agency integration, given the mountainous terrain that accelerates runoff into lowland areas. Sustainable solutions demand a combination of structural water drainage improvements, land-use planning, and robust early warning systems to mitigate future disaster risks effectively.
Key mid-to-long-term solutions proposed by the opposition leader include:
- Expanding the Thong Noi weir across the entire river channel to maximize drainage efficiency
- Placing the weir under the direct management of the Royal Irrigation Department to boost public confidence
- Advancing reservoir construction projects proposed by the irrigation agency to intercept peak water flows
- Establishing a comprehensive water management master plan led by the Office of National Water Resources (ONWR)
Furthermore, commenting on the ongoing debate surrounding bald hills and corn plantations in Nan province being blamed as the primary culprit for the floods, Natthapong stated that the crisis involves multiple contributing factors. These include shrinking forest coverage, urban expansion, and global climate change, meaning no single factor can be singled out as the sole root cause of the entire problem.
Source: Matichon Politics
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