Culture
Environmental Expert Challenges Wang Tanot Reservoir Capacity Plans
Sasin Chalermlarp has urged the Royal Irrigation Department to re-evaluate the capacity of the proposed Wang Tanot reservoir in Chanthaburi, suggesting a smaller scale could be more effective.
According to a report by Prachachat Business, Sasin Chalermlarp, a prominent environmental advocate, has publicly challenged the current Environmental Health Impact Assessment (EHIA) for the proposed Wang Tanot reservoir project in Chanthaburi province. Sasin argues that the current plan, which targets a capacity of 99.5 million cubic meters, is not the only viable option for the region.
Sasin suggests that because Chanthaburi experiences significant rainfall, the government and the Royal Irrigation Department should consider alternative capacity figures, specifically in the range of 60 to 80 million cubic meters. He advocates for a more flexible approach that could better manage water flow throughout the year while potentially reducing the environmental footprint of the project. He has proposed exploring a 'twin dam' solution that works in harmony with the surrounding forest areas.
For residents and visitors, this debate highlights ongoing discussions regarding water management infrastructure in eastern Thailand. While the project aims to address water security, the scale of such developments remains a point of contention among environmental experts and local stakeholders. It remains to be confirmed how the Royal Irrigation Department will respond to these calls for a recalculation and whether the current EHIA will be revised to reflect these alternative capacity proposals.