The eight founder members of AWA include AIT, Thai Hydrologist
Association, Thai Waterworks Association, Water Institute for
Sustainability, Federation of Thai Industries, Wastewater Management
Authority, Thai Hydrogeology Association, Environmental Engineering
Association of Thailand, and Thailand Water Resource Association.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish AWA was signed at
AIT on 10 June 2015.
Dr. Subin Pinkayan, Chairman, AIT Board of Trustees Chairman, and
President of Hydrologist Association stated that through AWA, members
can exchange their ideas and experience about water, and recommend
solutions about emerging water issues in Thailand. “Water does not come
at the right place at the right time, and this is the problem that we
need to solve,” Dr. Subin remarked.
In his welcome remarks, AIT President Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai said that
in 1959, AIT commenced operations with only one field of study —
“Hydrology.” This helped AIT alumni to emerge as leaders and planners
in this field. Prof. Worsak stated that AIT has substantial experience
in dealing with water-related issues. Stating that AIT is “an
educational institute that is non-profit making,” the AIT President
added that the Institute has a very strong international network,
making it an ideal hub for all partners.
Explaining the rationale of the establishment of AWA, Dr. Apichart
Anukularmphai, President of Thailand Water Resources Association
(TWRA), said climate change and severe disasters had triggered serious
issues related to water. “Thailand faced a major flood in 2011, and
recent news reports have suggested that the reservoir levels in our
dams are very low,” he said. This points towards the fact that Thailand
is faced with numerous problems, and AWA will be a good platform to
tackle these issues. “We would like to be leaders in water issues in
AEC, and this is the first such water academy in the region,” he
added.
According to the MOU, AWA will coordinate and support collaboration
among various organizations and institutions for exchanging experience
on water-related issues among all countries in the Asian region. It
will also serve as a center of exchange knowledge on water management
by conducting seminars and trainings. It will support the emergence of
a knowledge-based society and facilitate cooperation at all levels on
water management, water-related conflicts, and promote a realization of
the value of water. Founding members of AWA can invite representatives
from Asian countries for coordinating activities along with
international agencies and organization.
Signatories to the AWA MoU signed on 10 June 2015 included Dr. Subin
Pinkayan, Thai Hydrologist Association; Mr. Thanasak Watanathana,
Governor, Thai Waterwork Association (TWWA); Mr. Teerasak
Padoongtantrakul (on behalf of Mr. Bowon Vongsinudom), Federation of
Thai Industries (FTI); Ms.Hatairat Likitanupak, Acting Director General
of Wastewater Management Authority (WMA); Ms. Somkid Buapeng, Thai
Hydrogeology Association (HAT); and Dr. Apichart Anukulampai, Thailand
Water Resources Association, and Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai,
President, AIT.
