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The handover ceremony of the 5th Visawapat Dam at Huai Tang Ho, Nan Province

During 27th to 31st May 2022, students of Visiwapat camp, the Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University went to join activity with local habitants. In this activity, students tested the solar-cell pumps for draining water to the agricultural areas and acquired information from habitants who are members of Nam-Pia models in both demonstration and extended areas for further activities in the future.

On 30th May 2022, the handover ceremony of the 5th Visawapat Damn at Huai Tang Ho, Nan Province was carried out. The previously mentioned dam was built in the month of January 2022. Assistant Prof. Dr. Chaiyaporn Phuprasert, the assistant to president, Chulalongkorn University, Associate Prof. Dr. Dr. Sanpetch Chuenithipaisal, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Faculty of Engineering, students from the Visawapat student camp, the board of Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), representatives from The Siam Cement Public Company Limited (SCG), Mr. Nopporn Ruengsawang, the mayor of Ampher Nanoi, Mr. Rittha Thajai, the mayor of Tambol Santia, local offices and habitants of the previously mentioned area witnessed the ceremony and the altogether joined to plant durian trees.

The habitants of Baan Chetawaan, Tambon Santiam, Ampher Nanoi, Nan Province used to be farmers for long period. However, due to the change of climate causing long draught period which is unfavorable condition for agriculture in the area, the habitants can only grow corn plants to feed livestock. From this reason, the habitants had to invade more the forest area, to use herbicide and insecticide causing soil damage, and to burn the residual corn cob.

From the mentioned problems, the origin of all was lacking of water resources and this problem can be resolved by constructing the dam to store water for multi-purposes during the drought period.

From 2018 to 2021, the Visawapat student camp has continuously been in the areas with water shortage problem to construct the dam, sediment-trap dam, and water pipe to link agricultural area (total length is 1.4 km). By constructing these dams and water systems, the plantation of corn was reduced from 100 percent to alternative plants such as durian, cacao, and dates.