Expert:Thai government is well-prepared for flood prevention

BANGKOK, September 1 (TNA) - An expert says that the global warming problem is expected to be deteriorate in the coming years, but the Thai government has been now well-prepared to fight against any, probably, repeated flooding this year, following the country's flooding crisis late last year. Speaking during a seminar held as part of a grand exhibition on the Thai government’s water management and flood prevention plans being organized from August 31-September 2 at the Bangkok Convention Hall of Central Plaza in the capital's Lat Phrao area, the Thai expert, Anon Sanitwong na Ayutthaya, a member of the government-run National Water Resources and Flood Policy Committee (NWRFPC), assessed today that people living in urban areas would face higher risks of impacts from the climate change or the global warming problem due to several other sensitive factors. Anon suggested that listening to public opinions are needed in solving the problem by all parties concerned, and that in managing its water management plans, the Thai government is to take problems of geography, locations and social factors into consideration. Anon also recommended that when implementating its water management plans, the Thai government should take the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), set to be formed by 2015 into consideration as well, as an effect in one member country of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should also have an impact on other member countries. The Thai water expert acknowledged although the government has tried to develop emergency warning systems to ensure that local agricultural sector would be spared from any repeated flooding, some areas remain beyond control. According to the expert, Thailand is, however, unlikely to be hit by any repeated massive flooding this year but people should cooperate well with the government in anti-flood missions.(TNA)