| Sirindhorn hydropower dam was built by EGAT (Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand) for the purpose of hydropower and irrigation and is in operation since 1971. It is located in the northeastern province of Ubon Ratchatani, Thailand. It impounds the Lam Dom Noi River, and its reservoir is the province's largest water resource. The electricity is generated for domestic markets . However, a proposed irrigation canal for improved agriculture was never built. Protests began by the affected villagers after the beginning of the construction period in 1968 through establishing an anti-dam village opposite the dam entrance. Compensation provided on behalf of the government was in the form of resettlement of houses and land. However, land was of poor quality. In 1995, the Assembly of the Poor (AoP - a grassroots social movement) was established and some of the memberships were villagers affected by the Sirindhorn Dam asking for fair compensation for their lost land and livelihoods. Villagers have still only received partial compensation, estimated to cover approximately 80% of lost land but no compensation for livelihood loss. Protests continue to seek fair compensation and for the dam floodgates to remain open permanently (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7). |
Description
Basic Data
| Name | Sirindhorn Dam, Thailand |
| Country | Thailand |
| Province | Ubon Ratchatani Province, Northeast Thailand |
| Site | Sirindhorn District |
| Accuracy of Location | HIGH local level |
Source of Conflict
| Type of Conflict (1st level) | Water Management |
| Type of Conflict (2nd level) | Dams and water distribution conflicts Land acquisition conflicts Aquaculture and fisheries Water access rights and entitlements |
| Specific Commodities | Electricity Water Land |
Project Details and Actors
| Project Details | Turbine and generator have three units of 12 MW each (36 MW total) and the annual energy output is estimated at approximately 90 Gwh |
| Project Area (in hectares) | 6,880 |
| Level of Investment (in USD) | The cost of the project is unknown. See comments below. |
| Type of Population | Rural |
| Potential Affected Population | 1,365 households |
| Start Date | 1971 |
| Company Names or State Enterprises | Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) from Thailand |
| Relevant government actors | Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand Japanese Government |
| International and Financial Institutions | The World Bank (WB) |
| Environmental justice organisations and other supporters | Assembly of the Poor (AoP), The Northern Farmer Networks, The Assembly of the Mun River Basin |
The Conflict and the Mobilization
| Intensity of Conflict (at highest level) | MEDIUM (street protests, visible mobilization) |
| When did the mobilization begin | Mobilization for reparations once impacts have been felt |
| Groups Mobilizing | Farmers Fishermen Indigenous groups or traditional communities Local ejos Neighbours/citizens/communities Social movements Local scientists/professionals |
| Forms of Mobilization | Development of a network/collective action Involvement of national and international NGOs Land occupation Street protest/marches Occupation of buildings/public spaces |
Impacts
| Environmental Impacts | Visible: Floods (river, coastal, mudflow), Reduced ecological / hydrological connectivity Potential: Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Food insecurity (crop damage), Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Soil erosion, Deforestation and loss of vegetation cover |
| Health Impacts | Potential: Accidents, Exposure to unknown or uncertain complex risks (radiation, etc…) |
| Socio-economic Impacts | Visible: Displacement, Loss of livelihood, Violations of human rights, Land dispossession Potential: Lack of work security, labour absenteeism, firings, unemployment, Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/cultures |
Outcome
| Project Status | In operation |
| Pathways for conflict outcome / response | Compensation Under negotiation |
| Do you consider this as a success? | No |
| Why? Explain briefly. | Affected villagers previously supported themselves through subsistence farming, fishing, hunting, and harvesting forest products. Forced resettlements resulted in many losses in these traditional livelihoods. Each household received approximately US$560 as compensation; however, resettlement villagers had infertile soils and subsistence farming was no longer possible. Many villagers began protesting for their rights; however, these rights have been repeatedly ignored and the government has been selective in which households receive compensation. (1) (2) |
Sources and Materials
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| Other Comments | The cost of the project is unknown. It was co-financed by the Thai government, the Japanese government, and the World Bank. The expenditure reported for compensation of the villagers in 1973 was of 578,241 US$ (18,8 Million Baht). |
Meta Information
| Contributor | Carl Middleton, Sarah Allen, Matilde Sgotto |
| Last update | 05/07/2014 |
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