The canal was able to receive the water that came down and gradually drained it out to the sea, which is the function of the lagoon as a "monkey cheek".
From the preliminary study of the Royal Initiated Kaem Ling or literally monkey side cheeks (detention) Project that His Majesty the King suggested November 1995 for mitigating flood water, it was deemed appropriate to construct a lagoon or reservoir by utilizing the area near Sanpasamit and Sahakorn canals. Nevertheless, it was found later on that the topography of the area and social impact was not amenable for project implementation, and investment costs were rather high. On 23rd January 1996, H.M. the King visited the reservoir near Queen Suriyothai Royal Monument in Ayudhya province and suggested Mr.Banharn Silpa-archa the Prime Minister and Dr.Sumet Tantivejkul, member and Secretary-General of the Chaipattana Foundation and the officials of the government agencies concerned to carry out a study to solve the flooding problems of the lower part of the Tha-Chin river basin in the form of Detention (Kaem Ling)Project.
It will be necessary to construct drainage regulator together with large-scale pumping stations to block off the northern part of the Tha-Chin river from Samut Sakhon upward.
During the flooding season, these flood gates will allow the excess water to drain into the Gulf of Thailand. But during the high tides, these flood gates will prevent the sea water from inundating the land. During the flooding season, it is also possible and desirable to pump the flood water into the river, or to rechannel the flood water to the left or right sides into the Gulf or Thailand. Such an operation will enable the Tha-Chin river on the northern side of the flood gates to serve as "Kaem Ling" or "detention" which can detain the flood water and eventually drain the water into the Gulf of Thailand in an efficient manner.
The Detention Project of the lower part of the Tha-Chin river is a large-scale project which requires a proper feasibility study, and which takes account of possible impacts. The implementation period is five years which has already been included in the plan to solve flooding problems of Bangkok and surrounding provinces.
Subsequently on 5th, 9th, 12th and 24th of February 1996 at Dusit Throne Hall of the Grand Palace, His Majesty the King further suggested to Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-archa, Dr.Sumet Tantivejkul (Secretary-General of the Chaipattana Foundation), and officials from other concerned agencies to speed up the study and consider the implementation of the Detention Project at Mahachai-Sanamchai canals and other connecting canals. This is because the area surrounding Mahachai-Sanamchai canals is the low land into which the water drains and is near to the flooded area covering Samut Sakhon, Nakhon Pathom and Bangkok provinces. The project may entail construction of flood gates to block off all the canals together with installation of water pumps. Such project should not require high investment cost and should be well worth the investment. Furthermore, it can also be networked with the "Detention Project" of the lower part of the Tha-Chin river.
Together, they should represent a system to relieve flood problems of Bangkok and surrounding provinces in an efficient manner.
For the implementation of this project, the Royal Irrigation Department will carry out a study and analyze details concerning buildings and other construction work which should be consistent with the physical environment, land use, hydrological conditions of all the canals and other social and environmental factors. The design will be completed within budgetary year 1997 and construction of flood gates for water drainage of Mahachai canal and pumping stations may start thereafter.
KAEMLING : The Royally-Initiated Water Detention Project
Story : Bundit Lewchaichan Art of Living Magazine, September 1996, P. 70-71.
The construction of water gate.
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great is widely recognized as one of the hardest working monarchs in the world. He has devoted both his strength and wisdom to the development of the country throughout the last half century. As a result, none of his people's problems have been ignored as their obstacles have also become his.
The heavy floods that hit Thailand between July and October last year (1995) brought about extensive damage and caused great hardship affecting many of his people. His Majesty subsequently advised numerous authorities on how to effectively deal with floods. He also offered them assistance in all forms through the Chaipattana Foundation and the detrimental consequences of the flood waters were greatly eased.
Apart from helping solve the immediate flood problems His Majesty has, since 1980, also offered countless suggestions on how to prevent flooding in the Bangkok area. After last year's incidence, much of the talking has been replaced by action. His Majesty has used modern imformation technology in many of his current prevention plans and he recently said,
"If the flood prevention scheme is carried out within the next three years, Bangkok will no longer be affected by floods. The scheme should be implemented along the two banks of Chao Phraya River."
More than ever, His Majesty the King is concerned with the flood preventative measures taking place Bangkok. He has instructed the Royal Irrigation Department to build a large water detention pond covering an area of ten square kilometres and capable of containing twenty million cubic metres of water. This pond, situated near the sea, will store any floodwaters from the natural watereays. A new canal is to be dug and a flood gate will be built to allow excess water to drain into the sea. However, during periods of high tide, the flood gate will prevent sea water from inundating the land.
This royally-Initiated Water Detention Project is commonly referred to as the 'Kaem Ling Project' which literally means 'Monkeys's Cheeks.' The scheme got its name from what His Majesty observed as a boy. On one of his numerous trips he encountered a monkey munching food. The chimp then stored it in his cheeks rather than swallowing the entity whole.
The prominent architect Dr Sumet Xumsai commented on the Kaem Ling Project by saying that it was based on the concept of allowing nature to help humans.
This royally-initiated project once again reflects His Majesty King's wide vision and manifold talents as well as his benevolence towards his subjects. It is a great merit for the people of Thailand to be under the reign of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great.
