While various parts of the country are facing serious drought, Thailand's water management agency came out to appease the public, saying the situation is under control.
Somkiat Prajamwong, secretary-general of the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR), told the media he regarded the situation as "manageable", citing advance preparations by various agencies. Apparently, the ONWR chief, who was former irrigation deputy director-general, wanted to ease public panic over drought-related water shortage.
In the backdrop of the ONWR chief's optimistic statement, scenes of people struggling for water in numerous areas in the Northeast and the East have emerged. In the Northeast, local officials sent water trucks and arranged long-distance water pumping to alleviate water shortages in stricken communities.
In Nakhon Ratchasima's Sikhiu district, about 500 people in tambon Don Noi have been without tap water for almost a week after the village ponds dried up. About 138,000 litres of water has been delivered to the villagers who are concerned the water shortage will get worse without rainfall.
There are reports that 25 provinces, which are under the supervision of the 18th regional office of Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA), are at risk of being hit by drought and the PWA is working against time with various parties to ensure the supply of tap water does not run out.
To a certain extent, Mr Somkiat's statement reflects complacency. He may hope for rainfall to help the situation but it is known that the country has been trapped in a drought-flood cycle for decades. The situation has intensified given the lack of proper town planning.
Not to mention that there is a growing need for water in certain regions especially the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) -- a flagship project of the military regime -- which can result in conflict developing between people in different sectors such as farmers and industrial developers. Water conflicts also are an issue for people in different areas like those in urban and remote rural areas.
In a media interview late last year, Mr Somkiat, speaking in his capacity as deputy director-general of the Irrigation Department, mentioned the need for large-scale water development projects this year to ease water shortages in the EEC area.
It is hoped that the Irrigation Department will pay heed to locals when pursuing the projects.
But the department does not have a good reputation when it comes to listening to public opinion.
The agency is at odds with local people in several areas due to its reservoir or water network proposals. Four proposed projects in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phatthalung have angered local people.
In January, people from southern provinces travelled to Bangkok to protest against the Wang Heeb dam in Nakhon Si Thammarat's Thung Song district, as well as the Klong Sang reservoir project in Thung Yai district, and a 30km water diversion canal in Amphur Muang Nakhon Si district in the same province.
Locals from Pak Pra area in Phatthalung also protested over a sluice gate in their home town.
Indeed, water development projects tend to have a wide impact on a large number of people and the state should ensure fairness and justice in pursuing any projects.
Next month Thailand will have a festival in which enormous amounts of water will be wasted. Every year, the state has to relax the rules, allowing tap water to run freely for fun.
This may need to change. Revellers in urbanised areas must help conserve water and practise moderation.
There needs to be a long-term, comprehensive water management scheme that enables the state to deal better with drought as well as floods.
The military regime already launched a 20-year water management master plan but, like several projects carried out by the regime, the process triggers a question about the top-down and bureaucratic approach that overlooks public participation.
The new government that will come into power in May should look into the matter, re-examine the master plan and give local people more of a voice so that the proposed projects will gain local acceptance.
