ICONSIAM together with the Chaipattana Foundation and Allied Organizations kicked off “Preserving and Improving Chao Phraya River with a Sustainable Water Management” Project. The objectives of the project are to proceed on the late King’s Philosophy related to wastewater management, and to engage and raise awareness of local people living along the Chao Phraya River for reviving and conserving natural resources and the environment, leading to sustainable living.
Supoj Chaiwatsirikul, Managing Director of ICONSIAM Company Limited, stated that “ICONSIAM’s policy is stressed on taking corporate responsibility and being one driving force towards the positive impact on the society, environment and culture.
We also focus on the sustainable socio-economic development, assuring the local communities along the Chao Phraya River can live harmoniously and proudly with nature. Constantly, we are committed to carry on our three key pillars: to support the communities nearby, to inherit Thai cultures and traditions, and to take care of the environment of the waterfront communities along the Chao Phraya River.
Recently, ICONSIAM, the Chaipattana Foundation and our alliances have launched the “Preserving and Improving Chao Phraya River with a Sustainable Water Management” project with an aim to preserve natural resources and environment of the Chao Phraya River by targeting on seven canals in three Bangkok districts – Klong San, Taling Chan and Bangkok
Prof. Dr. Kasem Chankaew, an Environmental Specialist of the Chaipattana Foundation and Director of the Royally-initiated Laem Phak Bia Environmental Research and Development Project, explained that the Chaipattana Foundation has carried on the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s initiative on wastewater treatment as said on his royal speech that “…the nature-supporting-nature process, the simple, affordable & practical technology that people can easily adapt, low-cost mechanical devices..” in every project the Chaipattana Foundation has developed including this one. There are 2 types of natural and simple wastewater treatment techniques which are 1) Oxidation Pond Treatment System; the digestion of organic matter through the use of microorganisms and 2) Grass Filtration System; contaminants are trapped through the grass that absorbs toxins back into the system.
The aforementioned project has already commenced its first initiative in Klong San district from early March 2017 at Wat Thong Phleng canal and Somdej Chao Phraya canal as the 2nd one. Following the role model project are the other 5 canals which are Wat Suwan canal and San canal in Klong San district, Wat Thong canal in Bangkok Noi district, Lad Mayom canal and Mahasawat canal in Taling Chan district to explore the physical characteristics of each area in order to properly plan for the most suitable wastewater treatment method of those areas. All of these projects are expected to be completed by 2017 with the objectives to improve the water quality, conserve and enhance the balance of the ecosystem. Additionally, the project focuses on engaging local people living along the Chao Phraya River’s awareness of reviving and conserving natural resources and the environment as well as serves as a pioneering role model aiming at developing sustainable environment in the Chao Phraya River communities in other areas.