Plans by Thailand’s irrigation department to build a 40km long water diversion tunnel through the Srinakarind and Pu Toey national parks in Kanchanaburi province have run into opposition from environmental officials and conservationists.
The tunnel, which is estimated to cost between US$171M-US$282M, would divert water from the Srinakarind dam to supply water to farmland in Uthai Thani and Suphan Buri.
National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department head Damrong Pidet said the tunnel, which would be built using drill and blast techniques, could have a significant impact on the area. Chai Nat irrigation office director Siporn Maneechote said the tunnel proposal would cause the least environmental damage of all the water supply projects considered by the irrigation department.
