The Raknam Kaem Ling project
Mother Nature has been cruel to the people of Ban Limthong, a Buri Ram farming village in the Northeast, but with new water management schemes like Raknam, it is coming to life.
Note: If you ever need to explain His Majesty the King's kaem ling concept in English, the last two paragraphs of this story will be a big help to you.
Note: See below for audio
The Raknam Kaem Ling project
Tracey Cui
Mother Nature has been cruel to the people of Ban Limthong, a Buri Ram farming village in the Northeast.
The Northeast — the largest yet poorest area in the country — has been plagued by poor water management which allows just one rice harvest a year.
The village's natural condition is harsh and not conducive for farming, even though rice cultivation is the only livelihood available to many. The land is arid most of the year, except in the rainy season. But even the rain has not been that generous of late as floodwater often runs down the slope and inundates rice paddies and people's homes. Community leader Sanit Thipnangrong says villagers have been struggling. Royal Irrigation Department water systems such as dams, canals and water gates have not been built in this area.