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DAM-L LS: Dams essential, says Chuan (fwd)
subject: LS: Dams essential, says Chuan
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Dams essential, says Chuan
'Don't be swayed by Western campaigns'
Uamdao Noikorn and Phusadee Arunmas Bangkok Post August 24, 2000
Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai yesterday urged the Agriculture Ministry to
continue building dams, reservoirs and other water sources and to keep the
public well informed about their importance to the agricultural sector.
"Don't follow the West's campaign against reservoirs or dams because they
already have enough water. We're a farming country," Mr Chuan said.
"Wherever there's water, there's a better standard of living. Opposing
reservoirs only takes its toll on the livelihood of farmers."The premier
made the remarks during a visit to the ministry. He also suggested it study
the impact of rising oil prices on the farm sector in response to
Agriculture Minister Prapat Pothasuthon's proposal for an oil fund.
Permanent Secretary Petipong Pungbun na Ayudhaya said the ministry's
reservoir projects were all small-to-medium-scale.
"Even then, we still face opposition from green groups and have
compensation problems."Mr Petipong said water development projects would be
carried out where they were needed, such as the Dok Lai reservoir on the
Eastern Seaboard.
Mr Prapat proposed during Tuesday's cabinet meeting that an oil fund be set
up. The ministers agreed to assess the impact of increasing fuel prices and
look for long-term solutions.
Mr Chuan said although oil prices were not the factor determining costs in
general, farm goods would be heavily affected as rising transport costs
pushed up the cost of production.
However, the premier failed to come up with any specific solutions when
asked what should be done to help farmers and fishermen hard hit by rising
fuel prices. Poor farmers were unlikely to be affected much by the oil
price crisis since most of them did not own cars, Mr Chuan said.
City people should help save energy by cutting down their use of cars, the
premier suggested.
Taxi drivers should switch to natural gas which is cheaper, he added.
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