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Water resources management problem in Thailand forms one of the most distressing issues because it results to massive suffering of the people and slows social economic development of the country. With water being so central in driving economic activities, it forms part and parcel of lives that depend on it for agriculture. Water in waterways is also being used during religious festivals and as a key element in Songkran, one of the important Thailand celebrations. However, it is imperative to note that water management problems in this region has been seen in lack of an integrated and dynamic program of water resource management that has failed to re-define the distribution of water to areas in great need. This essay will discuss about water resource management problem in Thailand.
History stipulates that over the years, Thai people have developed a close relationship with water. As such, their settlement areas have been along rivers. In the period before 19th century, Thai people practiced a unique way of managing water as seen in practices such as moving further away from water body depending on their need for it. As such, they were able to practice agriculture as lands along waterways were rich and fertile. Besides, they were also able to keep away from flood plains. (Wongtragoon et al 2010) However, in the 19th century, the leadership in Thailand came up with a Royal Irrigation Department Agency that altered this practice and only distributed water to individuals and farmers on the basis of need (Teamsuwan et al 2010). As the population of Thai people increased, distribution of water turned into a great problem because the crucial resource fell in hands of several people.
In conclusion, the largest scale water projects via man-made canals have not sufficiently and efficiently distributed water to the ever growing population that needs water in Thailand the problem has been blamed on perception that
References: Teamsuwan, V., Satoh, M., Onimaru, T., & Boonkird, V., (2010) Analysis of water management structures of an Integrated Water User Group in the Chao Phraya Delta, Thailand. Paddy and Water Environment, 8(1), pp.51-61. Wongtragoon, U., Kubo, N., & Tanji, H., (2010) Performance diagnosis of Mae Lao Irrigation Scheme in Thailand (I) Development of Unsteady Irrigation Water Distribution and Consumption model. Paddy and Water Environment, 8(1), pp.1-13