Kasetsart University Launches 'EEC Water Alliance: Know-Adapt-Survive' with Five Water Sector Partners
Kasetsart University launched a research project with five water management partners to create a sustainable water management system for Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor, addressing regional water crises through data-driven strategies a
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wisit Limsombunchai, Vice President for Asset Management at Kasetsart University, presided over the press conference launching the operational research project 'EEC Water Alliance: Know-Adapt-Survive,' designed to create a learning mechanism and sustainable water management system for the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) on May 8, 2026, at Room 904, 9th Floor of the Science Services Building, Office of Lifelong Learning Development at Kasetsart University. The event was attended by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Veeraket Suwanphaka, Director of the Office of Lifelong Learning Development at Kasetsart University, and leading network partners in water management.
The operational research project 'EEC Water Alliance: Know-Adapt-Survive' was initiated by Kasetsart University's Office of Lifelong Learning Development, uniting five leading water management network partners: the Office of National Water Resources (ONWR), Royal Irrigation Department, Department of Water Resources, Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA), and East Water Resource Management and Development Company Limited (East Water). The project aims to analyze water situations, create mechanisms for participation among industrial, agricultural, and household sectors, bridge information gaps, and develop practical policy recommendations to address the eastern region's water crisis.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wisit Limsombunchai stated that Kasetsart University supports efficient water use and conducts water research. The university is pleased to announce a joint commitment with five leading water management partners to oversee water management in the Eastern Economic Corridor, ensuring water is used efficiently to support the EEC's substantial water demands. Informed decision-making combined with inter-agency cooperation will prepare the region to handle potential water crises.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Veeraket Suwanphaka explained that the project stems from lessons learned during the 2005 Eastern Region water crisis, which saw protests and obstruction of water diversion to industrial areas. The 'EEC Water Alliance: Know-Adapt-Survive' is a participatory action research (PAR) project that treats stakeholders as 'co-researchers' rather than 'data subjects,' using the PAOR (Plan-Act-Observe-Reflect) process across four strategic zones: Map Ta Phut, Pluak Daeng-Bo Win, Laem Chabang, and Chachoengsao. The project employs data-driven principles to consolidate water data from all agencies into a unified dataset through three strategies:
'Know' – Unified, accurate data integrating information from five main agencies into one source, transforming raw data into accessible, understandable knowledge for the public.
'Adapt' – Managing crises through intelligent networks by developing the EEC Water Network and a flexible Water Grid system to handle emergency situations such as El Niño phenomena.
'Survive' – Sustainably and securely by elevating practices into national-level policy recommendations, aiming to support industry and communities.
