Last October, most parts of Thailand suffered tremendous damage in the worst flooding in the nation’s history. Floodwaters even submerged areas of the capital city of Bangkok, resulting in hundreds of deaths and leaving millions homeless.
Critics blamed the mismanagement of the country’s dams and lack of modern water systems for the disastrous flooding. In reponse, the governments of Korea and Thailand signed a Memorandum of Understanding on water management this week.
The diplomatic agreement of goodwill focuses on the mutual cooperation of both countries in developing and sharing technologies in the areas of water management.
Kwon Do-youp, Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs: “In particular, with our accumulated experience in the Four Rivers Project, we can improve Thailand’s water management field. I think this creates a great opportunity.”
Korea’s eco-friendly Four Majors Rivers Restoration Project, which cost approximately 17 billion US dollars, has yielded many new innovations and techniques in water management.
The knowledge and skills gained will assist Thailand from properly managing water resources to reviving the nation’s severely damaged agriculture industry.
Theera Wongsamut, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives: “Korea and Thailand are currently going through various flood and fuel problems, therefore by exchanging our know-how and experience with each other, I believe it will be very helpful.”
The bilateral agreement encourages researchers and academics to work together and also opens doors for Korea’s leading construction companies to play a role in Thailand’s water management projects, which are estimated to be worth 10 billion dollars.
Kim Keun-ho, CEO of Korea Water Resources Cooperation: “With regard to the two government’s water management, the comprehensive exchange of technologies and experts will be mutually beneficial. It’s beneficial for both parties to accumulate technology.”
Korea and Thailand’s cooperative initiative paves the way for Korea’s world-class water management technologies to be competitive in overseas markets, while ensuring tighter relations between the two countries.
