Bangkok: "Natthapong" urges the government to stop addressing immediate problems and push for a comprehensive water management system across all river basins after the crisis caused by Typhoon Wipha. Mr. Nattapong Ruangpanyawut, Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives and head of the People's Party, visited Nan Province to follow up on the progress of flood mitigation efforts. Nan Province experienced a major flood crisis last year due to the influence of Typhoon Wipha. The main objective is to verify whether the government has incorporated lessons learned from that crisis into an effective long-term flood prevention plan. According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Nattapong stated that the flooding problem in northern Thailand, particularly in Nan province, is not a recent issue but a long-standing structural problem. If the government continues to spend large sums of money on post-disaster relief rather than investing in preventative measures, the country will repeatedly face the same cycle. Impor tantly, this type of flooding is not unique to Nan province; many other areas across all regions experience recurring problems without any preventative plan, as if the damage from previous incidents has never been seriously reviewed. This field visit, therefore, was not aimed at finding the specific answer to the question of why the flooding occurred, but rather to verify whether the government had sufficient information to make informed decisions regarding budget allocation, and whether all planned projects could truly reduce risks throughout the Nan River basin. The first stop on the site visit was the Thong Noi weir, one of the structures that a number of citizens and academics have noted may affect its water drainage efficiency during floods. The opposition will follow up on the facts from all parties, including the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Conservation, the Royal Irrigation Department, the National Water Resources Office, and local agencies, in order to reach a conclusion based on scientific data, not the opinion of any one party. Mr. Nattapong believes that before the government approves additional funding for any project, the public should receive clear answers on how much the project can help reduce the risk of flooding. He also suggests that independent agencies should conduct comparative studies, both with and without the project, to ensure transparency and accountability in budget allocation decisions. In addition to inspecting the Thong Noi weir, the team also visited Wiang Sa District to follow up on problems with the drainage system, damaged sluice gates, waterway management, and the shortage of tap water for the public. They also listened to suggestions from the community and local administrative organizations to ensure that flood mitigation efforts cover the entire system, not just the affected areas. Mr. Nattapong emphasized the overall picture, stating that the most important thing for the people of Nan today is a comprehensive river basin management plan, covering t he entire system from upstream to downstream. This plan should link information across all agencies, have an effective early warning system, clearly understand the water storage capacity of each area, and use this data as the basis for all government investment projects. "The lessons learned from the storm must lead to a change in the government's mindset in managing water resources across the entire system. Ultimately, the public doesn't just want compensation after the flood recedes; they want assurance that they won't face the same damage again in the years to come," Mr. Nattapong concluded.
