BANGKOK, March 7 (TNA) - Thailand will ask China to cooperate in water management to cope with the record low water level in the Mekong River, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said.
Speaking during his weekly TV programme, Mr Abhisit said he instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to talk with Chinese representatives, calling for China to cooperate with countries in the Mekong region affected by alarming drops in the river's water level.
The government is not ignoring the drought problem and is closely monitoring the situation, he said.
Deputy Prime Minister overseeing economic affairs Trairong Suwankhiri on Sunday visited the northern province of Chiang Rai to inspect the situation of the Mekong River in Chiang Saen district.
He said he gathered information and would urgently meet with specialists to learn the cause of the problem - whether the record low water level in the river was caused by drought or by China's dams.
The government may review the project to build the second port in Chiang Saen if the drought is prolonged, he said.
The Mekong River Commission (MRC) comprising member countries Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, agreed at its Wednesday meeting in Luang Prabang, Laos, that it will petition the Chinese representative at the United Nations for Beijing's cooperation in finding a quick and effective solution. by the end of next week, according to Saksit Treedech, Thailand's permanent secretary for Natural Resources and Environment.
The lowest water level in nearly 20 years has affected local residents and businesses dependent on the river.
Speaking during his weekly TV programme, Mr Abhisit said he instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to talk with Chinese representatives, calling for China to cooperate with countries in the Mekong region affected by alarming drops in the river's water level.
The government is not ignoring the drought problem and is closely monitoring the situation, he said.
Deputy Prime Minister overseeing economic affairs Trairong Suwankhiri on Sunday visited the northern province of Chiang Rai to inspect the situation of the Mekong River in Chiang Saen district.
He said he gathered information and would urgently meet with specialists to learn the cause of the problem - whether the record low water level in the river was caused by drought or by China's dams.
The government may review the project to build the second port in Chiang Saen if the drought is prolonged, he said.
The Mekong River Commission (MRC) comprising member countries Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, agreed at its Wednesday meeting in Luang Prabang, Laos, that it will petition the Chinese representative at the United Nations for Beijing's cooperation in finding a quick and effective solution. by the end of next week, according to Saksit Treedech, Thailand's permanent secretary for Natural Resources and Environment.
The lowest water level in nearly 20 years has affected local residents and businesses dependent on the river.
1 comment:
China has control everything in South East Asia, including Waters supplies...without waters all people will be death like fishs on th muds..
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