Community creates 'monkey cheeks' without state funding

This community in Sena district of Ayutthaya was flooded earlier this year by runoff from the Chao Phraya and Noi rivers. The fields at the top of the photo have since been included in the district's kaem ling water retention project, to prevent a recurrence. (Photo by Sunthorn Pongpao)

AYUTTHAYA – A community's success in completing its own kaem ling projects without relying on state funding will be shown off to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha during his visit to Sena district this month.

Provincial governor Sujin Chaichumsak on Friday said both pilot projects were based on the water retention zone concept, called kaem ling or monkey cheeks, initiated by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The prime minister will be briefed when the cabinet gathers at Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya Rajabhat University in tambon Phra Nakhon Si for a meeting on Sept 19. His delegation will arrive in the province on Sept 18.

The province has already completed 16 pilot projects in its 16 districts since April. Local authorities called for bids from companies to excavate the soil from some areas, mostly dried waterways or ponds.

Mr Sujin said the two Sena projects involved an excavation of land for use as a kaem ling, and the temporary conversion of rice fields into kaem ling, to store water and prevent flooding the during rainy season.

Neither project required state funding. For the first, a local business excavated a water retention area on state land, and was paid with the soil.

In total, 600,000 rai of farmland in the province have been delineated for use as kaem ling, to retain runoff from the North, he said.

The farmers are encouraged to plant rice during the period recommended by the government. After the harvest, water from the Chao Phraya River and the Noi River will be diverted into the fields as a flood mitigation measure.

This approach also helps the natural elimination of weeds and pests, and the silt laid down by the water adds fresh nutrients to the soil for the next crop, Mr Sujin said.