Thai PM:TOR for flood prevention systems is transparent

BANGKOK, July 12 (TNA) - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has affirmed that the terms of reference (TOR) for bidding contests for the construction of Thailand's new flood prevention facilities in 25 river basins, worth 300 billion baht, are transparent and accountable. Speaking to reporters this morning, before chairing a meeting of the government-appointed water and flood management committee, Yingluck dismissed doubts voiced by the main opposition Democrat Party, insisting that politicians will not be involved in the new infrastructure projects and government panels representing multi-parties can check them to ensure transparency. Yingluck acknowledged that the management of the facilities in the 25 river basins will be integrated in to a single command and construction firms winning bidding contracts are to comply with the government-appointed Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management's plans and His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's guidelines. Meanwhile, Thursday morning's meeting of the government's water and flood management committee followed up the implementation of flood prevention projects, including data collection, weather forecast systems, a single command center for water management, water retention areas, criteria for the rehabilitation of flood victims, drainage improvement and the construction of dykes to protect economic zones on both sides of the Chao Phraya River. The Thai premier is also scheduled to inspect progress in the dredging of the estuary of the Chao Phraya River at the auditorium of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center in Bangkok's suburban Samut Prakan province this afternoon. (TNA)