The working group is led by Chu Thai Hoanh from IWMI Email: C.T.Hoanh@CGIAR.ORG
Purpose and Approach
The Mekong Region has a long tradition of run-of-river farmer-managed irrigation schemes, and even longer tradition of rain-fed agriculture. More recently, large-scale schemes have been developed, and many more are being promoted and planned by State agencies. On the whole much of this planning and construction takes place with minimal public information and consultation.
This case study will focus on the rationales and processes for decisions about large-scale water infrastructure developments. These may, for example, involve inter-basin diversions and the construction of storage dams, or be more about shifting responsibilities for water allocation or operations. We propose to focus our work on the ‘re-packaged’ different elements of the water grid and the irrigation works planned in northwest (around Battambang), and northeast (around Stoeng Treng), recognising that there may be local, national and crossborder impacts.
Through our analysis and engagement we expect to be able to get behind the discourses and document the beneficiaries of this ‘new water’. In doing so we also hope that such large regional water projects receive wide public scrutiny and are part of public debates and negotiations within and among countries.
Selected Publications
Series Nos.
Title
WP-2008-02
Bastakoti R. C., G. P. Shivakoti and L. Lebel. 2008. Community organizations in water resource governance: Rural-Urban interface of irrigation management in Thailand. USER Working Paper WP-2008-02. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University: Chiang Mai. (408)
MP-2009-16
Kim Thu, D. T. 2009. Water-Pricing Policies in The Red River Delta Over The Last Five Decades. M-POWER Working Paper MP-2009-16. Unit for Social and Environmental Research (USER), Chiang Mai University, Thailand. (483)
MP-2009-15
Xuan, Q. T., D. V. Khiem, and B. T. T. Hoa. 2009. Estimation of deadweight losses caused by the policy of exempting the irrigation fee: Case study of selected irrigation schemes in the Red River Delta, Vietnam. M-POWER Working Paper MP-2009-15. Unit for Social and Environmental Research (USER), Chiang Mai University, Thailand. (482)
MP-2009-07
Try, T., Lebel, L., and Bastakoti, RC. 2009 Making projects fit: early lessons from Stung Chinit Irrigation Scheme and Rural Infrastructure Project, Cambodia. M-POWER Working Paper MP-2009-07. Unit for Social and Environmental Research (USER), Chiang Mai University, Thailand. (461)
MP-2009-06
Bastakoti, R. C., Shivakoti G. P. 2009.Context and Institutions in Irrigation Management: Applicability of Design Principles in Nepal and Thailand. M-POWER Working Paper MP-2009-06. Unit for Social and Environmental Research (USER), Chiang Mai University, Thailand. (460)
MP-2009-04
Floch P. and Molle F. 2009. Water Traps: The Elusive Quest for Water Storage in the Chi-Mun Basin, Thailand. M-POWER Working Paper MP-2009-04. University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Unit for Social and Environmental Research (USER), Chiang Mai, Thailand. (458)
MP-2009-01
Floch, P. and F. Molle. 2009. Pump Irrigation Development and Rural Change in Northeast Thailand. MP-2009-01. Unit for Social and Environmental Research (USER), Chiang Mai University, Thailand. (454)
MP-2008-13
Molle, F., Floch, P., Promphakping, B., Blake, D.J.H. 2008. The ‘Greening of Isaan’: Politics, ideology, and irrigation development in the Northeast of Thailand. M-POWER Working Paper MP-2008-13. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University: Chiang Mai. (428)
MP-2008-09
Hoanh,C.T., Facon, T., Thuon, T., Bastakoti, R. C., Molle, F., Phengphaengsy, F. 2008. Irrigation in the Lower Mekong Basin countries: The beginning of a new era? M-POWER Working Paper MP-2008-09. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University: Chiang Mai. (424)
MP-2008-03
Molle F., Floch P. 2008. The "Desert Bloom" Syndrome: Politics, Ideology, and Irrigation Development in the Northeast of Thailand. M-POWER Working Paper MP-2008-03. IRD/M-POWER/IWMI. (414)
MP-2008-02
Molle F., Hoanh C. T. 2008. Implementing Integrated River Basin Management: Lessons from the Red River Basin, Vietnam. M-POWER Working Paper MP-2008-02. IRD/M-POWER/IWMI. (413)
MP-2007-02
Floch, Molle and Loiskandl. 2007.Marshalling Water Resources: A Chronology of Irrigation Development in the Chi-Mun River Basin, Northeast Thailand. M-POWER Working Paper MP-2007-02. Unit of Social and Environmental Research: Chiag Mai University. (359)
MP-2005-06
Molle. 2005. Irrigation. M-POWER Working Paper MWP-2005-6. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University: Chiang Mai. (44)
2010-0811
Bastakoti, R. C., Shivakoti, G. P. & Lebel, L. (2010) Local irrigation management institutions mediate changes driven by external policy and market pressures in Nepal and Thailand. Environmental Management DOI: 10.1007/s00267-010-9544-9 (436)
