Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) chairman Santi Vilassakdanont said the industrial sector had been affected by water shortages for years. The purpose of the committee is to draw up a plan to stabilise water reserves over the long term.

Last month, Deputy Industry Minister Piyabutr Cholvijarn said that current water reserves can only just meet demand, which could lead to serious water-shortages as happened in 2005. Therefore, the ministry is planning to increase reserves to meet rising demand for 10 years ahead.

Demand for water on the Eastern Seaboard averages 20 million cubic metres a month, while reserves in Rayong province now total 502.71 million cubic metres.

Eastern Water Resources Development and Management president and chief executive Wanchai Lawatanatrakul, earlier said that water supplies were sufficient for both industrial and domestic use for this year. However, if there is insufficient rainfall, the reserves may not be enough in the next two or three years.

Meanwhile, a joint committee overseeing the southern regions will also ask the government to increase

soft loans for three provinces in the south from Bt20 billion to be Bt40 billion.

It will also ask the government to control insurance premiums because rates there are at 5-7 per cent, higher than the normal rate of 2 per cent.    

In addition, it will call on the government to set up a fund to compensate business operators who have suffered losses due to the ongoing violence.

Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul

The Nation