Integrated Plans for Water Resources Management in the Chao Phraya,
Sakae Krang and Tha Chin River Basins
Department of Water Resources
Executive Summary
Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 1
Introduction
1.1
Background
The Chao Phraya, Sakae Krang and Tha Chin River Basins cover a catchment area
of 39,998 km2 (24.37 million rai). They are major sub-basins among 8 river basins of
Thailand namely the Ping, Wang, Yom, Nan, Chao Phraya, Sakae Krang, Pa Sak and Tha
Chin River Basins, with an area of 157,925 km2. A large number of water resources and
irrigation systems have been developed in the Chao Phraya River Basins and Sub-basins
for an irrigation area of 11.76 million rai (59.3% of the agricultural area) and agricultural
area of 19.84 million rai (81.4% of the river basin area). Economic expansion, an increase
in population, changes in land use, and a lack of development plan integration brings
about the problem of water shortage during the dry season, particularly in rainfed area of
8.08 million rai (40.7% of agricultural area). Furthermore, these lead to flood, which
results from topographic condition, e.g. floodplains, confluence of many rivers and
seawater rise as well as water pollution, which becomes severer due to expansion of
communities and factories. Solving the problems then requires systematic management of
water resources and other related resources and clear and appropriate plans.
At present, water resources and other related resources management in the 3 river
basins lack integrated plan for water resources management that can serve as an indicative
framework of work plans and projects revealing ways of development and solving
problems in each area. This is due to the fact that water management in river basins has
been dealt with by different concerned agencies, which carry out their own activities to
cope with their facing problems so that there is a lack of direction of operation and clear
and long long-term practices. Therefore, Department of Water Resources, which is
responsible for water management in river basins countrywide, realizes a need to prepare
an integrated plan for water management at the basin level that includes water resources
and other related resources management in all aspects and areas. Water resources
management integrated plan requires consultation with stakeholders at all levels for
preparing work plans and projects that will be framework assigned to relevant agencies for
systematic and coherent operation according to the proposed integrated plans.
1.2
Objectives
1) To formulate integrated water resources management plans in line with other
resources and environment to be used as a framework for agencies and organizations.
2) To present a holistic view of the river basins in terms of demand and supply,
solution guidelines and clear water resources management plans through public
participation process.
3) To formulate systematic water resources management master plans for water
resources development, water-related disaster prevention and mitigation, sustainable water
resources management, and water resources and water quality conservation.
533562953/0384
2006
Integrated Plans for Water Resources Management in the Chao Phraya,
Sakae Krang and Tha Chin River Basins
Department of Water Resources
1.3
Executive Summary
Chapter 1 Introduction
Scope of Study and Project Study Area
1.3.1 Scope of Study
Study for formulating integrated water management plans serving as an operation
framework and water management work plans for each river basin must be in line with
other related resources and 9th National Economic and Social Development Plan and
National Water Vision and Policy. The plan formulation requires coordination with Basin
Management Sub-Committee, local organizations and people based on existing and
additional information to obtain an integrated plan, which is clear and is in line with local
requirement. The study covers the following procedures: )
1) Investigate and collect socio-economic data, natural and non-natural water
resources both surface water and groundwater as well as problems in the basin area or
other necessary data for water resources management.
2) Analyze water resources in each such-basin and classify them into developed
and developing area to be consistent with other related resources such as land, forest and
environment.
3) Collect and analyze the result of projects which are operated by different
organizations. Diagnostic plan of these projects then conclude the previous operation work
and future tendency.
4) Cooperate among the sub-committee, local organizations, local people and
stakeholders in the river basins through interviewing and listening to their problems,
requirement and water resources management guidelines in order to formulate the
integrated plans, e.g. water resources development plan, water resources management
plan, flood prevention plan, and water and water quality conservation plan. In case that
the sub-committee or working group has not been established, the consultant will provide
personal and technical support for setting up the bodies.
5) To prepare strategic plan for water resources management to be in accordance
with local need and provincial and national strategies relating river basins.
6) To propose master plan for water resources management for systematic and
integrated future implementation to serve as action plan for water resources development,
water-related disaster prevention and mitigation, sustainable water resources development,
and water resources and water quality conservation.
7) Propose constructed and non-constructed measures by considering 5, 10, 15
and framework of 20-year development plan with project’s preliminary details accepted by
organizations concerned and local people.
1.3.2 Project Study Area
The project study of Integrated Plan for Water Resources Management in the
Chao Phraya, Sakae Krang and Tha Chin River Basins includes 18 provinces according to
Hydrological Sub-Committee or Working Group as shown in Figure 1.3-1.
533562953/0384
2006
Integrated Plans for Water Resources Management in the Chao Phraya,
Sakae Krang and Tha Chin River Basins
Department of Water Resources
1.4
Executive Summary
Chapter 1 Introduction
Project Output
1) The framework of 20 year development plan for preparing Integrated Plan
for Water Resources Management in the Chao Phraya, Sakae Krang and Tha Chin Rivers
serves as framework and plan, which are watershed management guidelines for watershed
organizations and agencies concerned to bring about the same direction of river basin
development.
2) Increased capacity of watershed organizations of different levels through
promotion of knowledge and understanding of water resources management formulation
process.
3) Participation of local people in plan formulation of all steps, which consists
of :
- Participation in formulating vision and strategic plan for water resources
management
- Participation in presenting problems, solution guidelines and local plan
- Participation in giving comments on river basin plan
- Participation in formulating integrated water resources and related
resources management plan
533562953/0384
2006