6 June 2024 – The Water Engineering and Management (WEM) program of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), in collaboration with the Department of Groundwater Resources (DGR), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), Thailand organized a Joint-Action Workshop titled “Policy Advocacy and Project Closure Workshop” for the project “Assessment of Groundwater Sustainability in the Special Economic Zone of Thailand for Operational Groundwater Management”, supported by the SUMERNET 4 All program of the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), on 6 June 2024.

Professor Nitin K. Tripathi, Vice President for Academic Affairs at AIT, inaugurated the event, highlighting the project’s alignment with AIT’s research areas in ‘food energy and water security’ and ‘technology, policy, and society’. He thanked the SUMERNET 4 All program and project partners for their trust in AIT’s implementation role.

Dr. Oranuj Lorphensri, Director General of DGR, noted the productive collaboration with AIT since 1978, highlighting a key 2013 groundwater management and sustainability project. She stated, “Today, we advance the GISA project, focusing on groundwater sustainability in the Tak Special Economic Zone (SEZ). We look forward to discussing outcomes, policy recommendations, and future steps to enhance groundwater sustainability in Thailand.”

Mr. Niall O’Connor, Director (left), and Dr. Chayanis Krittasudthacheewa, Deputy Director from SEI – Asia Centre (right), also delivered welcome remarks. Prof. Sangam Shrestha, Dean of AIT School of Engineering and Technology and PI – GISA Project, and Ms. Kallaya Choltichanan, Head of International Relations Unit, DGR, presented the project’s overview. Dr. Kriangsak Pirarai, Director of the Bureau of Groundwater Exploration and Potential Assessment, Thailand, and 40 participants from government organizations, non-profit organizations, research institutes, and practitioners attended the workshop.

The workshop’s main objective was to deliberate upon the policy brief detailing the present state of groundwater sustainability alongside policymakers, regional officers, and practitioners. Furthermore, the workshop facilitated the sharing of project findings and discussed the benefits and challenges of strengthening groundwater sustainability in SEZ of Thailand.

Session 1, titled “Conceptualizing and Contextualizing Groundwater Sustainability Infrastructure Framework in the Tak Special Economic Zone, Thailand,” was moderated by Dr. S. Mohana Sundaram, Program Chair and Assistant Professor at WEM, AIT. The session included three presentations. Miss Parichat Pinsri, Research Associate at SEI discussed the impact of climate change, land-use change, and abstraction on groundwater resources in Tak SEZ. Dr. Saurav KC, Deputy Executive Director at CREEW, Nepal, and Mrs. Punyawee Thomas, Plan and Policy Analyst at DGR presented the Contextualized Groundwater Sustainability Infrastructure Framework for Tak SEZ and Dr. Pragya Pradhan, Senior Research Associate at AIT, and Dr. Piyanuch Nontikansak, Project Manager/Water Resource Engineer at TEAM GROUP showcased the application of the framework using the Groundwater Sustainability Infrastructure Index (GSII).

Session 2, a Joint Action Partners Panel Discussion on “Strengthening Groundwater Sustainability in the Tak Special Economic Zone, Thailand”, was moderated by Dr. Phayom Saraphiriom, Director of the Groundwater Resources Institute (GWRI) at Khon Kaen University. Dr. Saurav and Mrs. Punyawee presented policy recommendations from the project output.

AIT

Following the presentation, a panel discussion was held featuring, Dr. Tussanee Nettasana, Geologist (Senior Professional Level), DGR; Mr. Sorasak Sornkaew, Director, Bureau of Groundwater Resource Regional 7 (BGRR7), Kamphaeng Phet, Thailand; Dr. Winai Chaowiwat, Researcher, Hydro-Informatics Institute (HII), Thailand and Mr. Olarn Vesurai, Expert on River Basin Management, Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR), Thailand. The panel discussion was highly successful, with a key takeaway being that the Groundwater Sustainability Infrastructure Framework is an effective new approach for visualizing and planning sustainable groundwater management. The ONWR, DGR, and BGRR7 are crucial in strengthening sustainable groundwater management at both local and institutional levels.

AIT

At the closing ceremony, Prof. Sangam stated, “The workshop brought together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss groundwater management in the Tak SEZ. Our collaboration with DGR has enhanced our knowledge and paved the way for sustainable practices. This project exemplifies the power of joint action and integrating research into policy for the betterment of our environment and communities”. Ms. Kallaya echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of research and capacity development for policy integration in Tak SEZ and other critical areas to optimize groundwater use amid ongoing economic activities.

Dr. Thanapon Piman, Senior Research Fellow at SEI-Asia Center, delivered the closing remarks, appreciating the joint efforts of AIT and DGR in successfully completing the project objectives. He emphasized that future collaboration between AIT, DGR, and SEI will be crucial for achieving groundwater sustainability amidst future challenges.