As dams empty, Thailand is facing a severe water crisis

[buksida]

THE arrival of the Loy Krathong Festival signals the beginning of the dry season and, traditionally, it is a time for Thais to pay respect to the Goddess of Water and request good fortune for the months ahead. This year many communities may well be wishing for more rain, as authorities warn that water levels are critically low and there are concerns that many regions will experience drought in the months ahead.

It’s not unusual for authorities to issue warnings about low water levels at the beginning of the dry season. This is often done in the hope that communities will more carefully manage their water usage but this year it appears there are genuine reasons for concern.

Dr. Louis Lebel, Director of USER, explains, “data matters as it is conventional for government agencies to talk up drought near the beginning of almost every dry season – but this time the data supports their claims. It was a dry wet season in the north.”

“Water storage levels in Bhumibol and Sirikit dams confirm the drought situation in 2015. The water storage in the dams is considerably lower than other years in the last decade.”

Bhumibol Dam, which at full capacity can hold 13,462 million cubic meters, is currently at just 37 percent capacity with 5,033 million cubic meters of water – down from 6,000 million cubic meters in November 2014, 7,000 million cubic meters in November 2013 and 8,500 million cubic meters in 2012.

Water levels at the Sirkit Dam, which at full capacity can hold 9,510 million cubic meters, show a similar pattern of decline over recent years. As of November 23, 2015, Sirkit Dam was at 51 percent capacity with 4,884 million cubic meters of water – down from 5,800 million cubic meters in November 2014, 6,000 million cubic meters in 2013 and 6,500 million cubic meters in 2012.

Full Story: Asian Correspondent

[StevePIraq]

One only has to look at private dams on owner land, most are empty or very near empty, Mongkol Temple is about 2m down from where it was last year. Now is the time to implement water controls not necessarily rationing but just making sure there is limited waste.

[PeteC]

^ Yes, it's not hard. I've been through it many times in other countries. Quick and easy are: 1) shave with a basin filled with water and not with the tap running. 2) Wet yourself and turn off shower, soap up, turn on and rinse. 3) If only urine flush every 2 times. 4) If possible re-pipe or tap your waste water (non-toilet) to use on your garden and lawn. 5) Get used to a dirty car for a few months until the rains arrive.

Those with pools may be hard pressed if it really gets bad, and have to be satisfied with a half filled pool filtering from the floor drains only.

Most Thais who live in an older dwelling are already pretty efficient. i.e., trough shower with pail, squat toilet etc. The worry are those who have moved up in class to a western type dwelling or condo, and of course us foreigners. There are many more ways to save and I'm sure we'll see them in print in the papers before too long Pete

[PeteC]

6) If buying a new clothes washer, get a front loader which uses 1/3 to 1/4 of the water per cycle used in a top loader.

[brianks]

Move south and get away from the Hua Hin desert. I'm dumping water from my pool almost daily this time of the year.

[Dannie Boy]

^ Yes, it's not hard. I've been through it many times in other countries. Quick and easy are: 1) shave with a basin filled with water and not with the tap running. 2) Wet yourself and turn off shower, soap up, turn on and rinse. 3) If only urine flush every 2 times. 4) If possible re-pipe or tap your waste water (non-toilet) to use on your garden and lawn. 5) Get used to a dirty car for a few months until the rains arrive.

Those with pools may be hard pressed if it really gets bad, and have to be satisfied with a half filled pool filtering from the floor drains only.

Most Thais who live in an older dwelling are already pretty efficient. i.e., trough shower with pail, squat toilet etc. The worry are those who have moved up in class to a western type dwelling or condo, and of course us foreigners. There are many more ways to save and I'm sure we'll see them in print in the papers before too long Pete

When there was a water shortage in the UK a few years back, the authorities suggested showering with a friend - sounds like a good suggestion!!

[Big Boy]

I don't think my wife would approve

[Pleng]

Move south and get away from the Hua Hin desert. I'm dumping water from my pool almost daily this time of the year.

You kind of sound like you're more of the problem than the solution!

[Pleng]

When there was a water shortage in the UK a few years back, the authorities suggested showering with a friend - sounds like a good suggestion!!

Yea until you find out that all your friends have bigger ******s than you!

Or wait.... Have I been doing it wrong all these years?!!

[brianks]

"You kind of sound like you're more of the problem than the solution!"
You must not be aware of the climate in Thailand to make that statement. Here in the south we get rain all year around and water is not a problem where I live on the mainland across the water from Koh Samui. When you have so much rain that you have to empty your pool to keep it from overflowing your definitely getting more than enough water with all the streams and rivers flowing at capacity here. Have had three storms this morning and lawn is having trouble draining all the water off it.