Cambodian boy died of HFMD in Thailand

Saturday, Jul 28, 2012
The Nation/Asia News Network

An investigation by the Epidemiology Bureau has concluded that a Cambodian boy who died in Rayong this week succumbed to hand, foot and mouth disease, Dr Prasert Thongcharoen said yesterday. The victim, aged two and a half years, became the second HFMD fatality in Thailand this year.

"This case is clearcut. We do not need to wait for a meeting of virologists to determine the cause of his death," Prasert said in his capacity as an adviser to the Disease Control Department.

Rayong public health chief Kris Palasut said separately, however, that the Medical Sciences Department was conducting a detailed lab test on the young boy's case.

"The results will be released within two weeks," he said as largescale public health campaigns started in his province.

HFMD can quickly spread among young children. Although the disease is not very dangerous, it can cause death in severe cases.

HFMD suspected in boy's death - Panic hits Rayong after Cambodian succumbs

27/07/2012
Bangkok Post

A Cambodian boy has died of suspected hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Rayong's Klaeng district, triggering panic in the eastern coastal province.

Workers hose down and scrub the exterior of a train at Hua Lamphong station yesterday. It was part of a joint clean-up campaign by the Transport and Public Health ministries aimed at preventing the spread of hand, foot and mouth disease. APICHART JINAKUL

Rayong provincial health authority chief Krit Palasuth said the two-and-a-half-year-old died in emergency treatment, two hours after being admitted to Klaeng Hospital on Wednesday.

The boy arrived at the hospital with breathing difficulty, fatigue and blisters on his palms and feet.

While VN is eyeing the Tonle Sap for oil and gas explorations, Thailand is eyeing Cambodia as a new source of water supply

Cambodia eyed as new source of water supply

Diversion scheme to feed industrial estates

Tuesday August 28, 2007
APINYA WIPATAYOTIN
Bangkok Post

Water diversion from the Stung Num watershed in Cambodia has been listed as a potential solution to water shortage problems faced by industrial estates in Thailand's eastern provinces, according to the Department of Water Resources. According to the project's feasibility study, recently revealed by the department, some 200 kilometres of pipeline will be constructed at a cost of 30 billion baht linking the proposed Stung Num dam in Cambodia to Prasae reservoir in the Thai eastern province of Rayong.

However, department chief Siripong Hungspreug said that because of its large scale and high investment cost, it would take a long time and more study before the project would materialise.

In the meantime, relevant agencies have come up with plans to supply water to the water-starved industrial estates, which would be safe from water crisis for at least four years, Mr Siripong said.

These include plans to divert water from the Bang Pakong and Pasak rivers to reservoirs in Rayong and Chon Buri provinces.

''Moreover, as far as I know, no new factories will be built in the area as the government is looking for another place to accommodate new factories, so water shortages may not pose a big problem [for the industrial estates in the eastern provinces],'' he said.

The Stung Num water diversion project was dusted off in 2005 when the eastern provinces, which are home to several petrochemical factories, faced a severe water crisis. Officials had to divert water from many rivers and reservoirs to feed the industry, causing serious conflict among water users in the area.

In 1992, Thailand and Cambodia agreed in principle to develop a hydropower plant at Stung Num, which will see around 546 million cubic metres of water diverted from the Stung Num watershed yearly to generate electricity at a power plant, to be set up in Thailand's Trat province.

The water divered to the power plant then will be piped to Prasae reservoir to feed industrial and farming activities.

According to the feasibility study report, water consumption by the industrial sector in the eastern region will increase from 295 million cubic metres this year to almost 600 million cubic metres in three decades.

Mr Siripong, however, said the proposed transboundary water diversion plan will be the last option to provide water to the industrial sector. It will be adopted only after the government is certain the project will be worth the investment cost, he added.

Praphant Asava-aree, managing director of Eastern Water Resources Development & Management, a major supplier for industrial operators in the eastern region, said diverting water from the neighbouring country must be carefully considered since the cost would be high.

''Moreover, we can say there are still sufficient water resources for both the agricultural and industrial sectors. We even have enough water for the third phase of petrochemical industry in Rayong, if approved, which requires an additional 40 million cubic metres of water per year,'' Mr Praphant said.