Parliamentarians expressed concern yesterday over the government's New Thailand project to manage the country's water-related problems, which will require as much as Bt800 billion in funding.
However, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said yesterday the funding estimate of between Bt600 billion and Bt800 billion put forward by Energy Minister Pichai Naripthaphan was only a preliminary figure. A study was still needed to determine the project's details and required budget, she said.
"There is no New Thailand project yet. It's just a working title [for the plan]. The project involves finding permanent solutions to the country's water problems. We have set up a committee to take care of this matter," Yingluck said.
"Initially, Bt80 billion is required for emergency-rehabilitation measures. This does not include the budget for long-term integrated management of 25 river basins. The budget figure will be determined and disclosed later," she said.
Senator Anurak Niyomvech said yesterday he agreed with the New Thailand idea, but was concerned where the government would obtain the funding.
He said the government would have to explain this, as well as the project details and how the funds would be spent.
"The government should regard the need for systematic management of the country's water-related problems as a national issue," the senator said.
"To solve the water problems on a large scale - involving construction of dams or floodways - will lead to adverse and widespread impacts on people for many years. So there is a need for full participation of the people involved," Anurak said.
He said that in late November, senators plan to file a motion for a parliamentary debate on the government's handling of the flood problems, as well as measures to rehabilitate the victims and help the country recover.
Chanin Rungsang, a Democrat MP for Bangkok, expressed concern that the government would face difficulty acquiring funds for the New Thailand project.
"The government has set aside Bt120 billion for post-flood rehabilitation and recovery. And the budget bill for fiscal 2012 does not mention a New Thailand project," the MP said.
"If the government opts to borrow to fund the project, it should be careful about the debt burden on the people of this country," said Chanin, who also heads the House of Representatives committee on economic development.
Democrat spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalsut called on the government to focus on the immediate task of tackling ongoing flood problems rather than a mega-project for the future.
"It seems the government overlooks the people's immediate problems and instead looks at an opportunity to borrow Bt800-900 billion for a 'project to create a new Thailand'. Right now, half of Thailand is under water and people are still suffering," Chavanond said.
The Democrat also criticised the government for its failure to distribute donated items to flood victims. He was referring to many donated items that were left and swamped at Don Mueang Airport after the government's Flood Relief Operations Command moved to a new location.
Chavanond said the Democrat Party offered to take care of distributing the donated items left behind that the airport.
He called on the prime minister to be decisive about the imminent problems and to "stop acting as a coordinator".
"The prime minister should be aware that she is the head of the government, with the power to make decisions in running the country," he said.
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