June 25, 2000
City profligacy costs farmers dearly Because of their voting power and taxation leverage, authorities always tend to take city voices more seriously than their rural counterparts. Whether water problems occur in the summer or in the rainy season, authorities take action immediately. However, the water consumed by people in the cities comes from the same river basins that farmers count on. In the central plains, where most of Thailand's rice is produced, farmers rely heavily on the Chao Phya River Basin for irrigation. And yet, as recently as early last year, the government ordered farmers to stop growing rice. During the dry season, the Irrigation Department is responsible for allocating the limited amount of available water and always does so to the advantage of the people in the cities. Farmers, the backbone of the country, who produce food for domestic consumption as well as export and who ensure food security, are sidelined. Should agencies be urged to provide farmers access to water and minimise burdens, including a proposed new water tariff?. And if so, should other sectors of Thai society be required to change their habits to use the available water more efficiently? Water fees are not the only way to solve the problem of ever-increasing demand. Rather, it requires an holistic approach involving the management and allocation practices of all concerned agencies.		Daily Main Entrance Page Local News Business Outlook Weekly IT news Horizons Travel NiteOwl (Trink) Real.Time Motoring Student Weekly Entertainment & Lifestyle What's on Dining out Recipe of the week Movies Music Book Review Beauty Fitness Nutrition NEW! Prominent Businesses Travel Thailand & beyond Special Publications Current Issues in Thailand Silpa Thai site Bangkok Post Year-end Economic Review Post Database 10 years Annual Report Education Learn English with the Bangkok Post Society We Care Phudhong Leper Colony Foundation Bangkok Post Newspaper Foundation Past Issues Calendar Page for recent issues Bangkok Post Archives by Samart Classifieds Classifieds index Jobs Property Entertainment Investment Education Travel Sales Bookstore Post Books Company Services Contact Us Subscriptions Internet Advertising Classified Ads Allied Printers
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