At the beginning of July 2025, we had the honour of welcoming a delegation from Thailand. In the spirit of strengthening Hungarian-Thai relations, we had a long discourse about recharging groundwater and its results, as well as the different challenges our countries face and the solutions we came up with. Despite many similarities, we also found numerous differences between our countries in terms of water resources, characteristics, and our responses to them. Although Thailand is located in distant Asia and is about five and a half times the size of our country, there is not much difference in the technologies used there as one might expect between a country with a monsoon climate and abundant water resources and Hungary, with its well-known characteristics.
Photo: Kisköre power plant and fish ladder
We took the delegation on a field trip to the Kisköre power plant and fish ladder, and shared the operational methods used there with the inquisitive visitors who had travelled from afar. The members of the delegation were Mr. Surasri Kidtimonton, Mr. Chumlarp Tejasen, Mr. Winai Wangpimool, Mr. Marc SriKhao, Mr. Nipat Thongprapai, Ms. Ocpasorn Occarach, Mr. Konglarp Tinnakorm Na Auyudthaya, and Mr. Bundarik Borisut, all of whom are prominent figures in their profession.
Photo: Platform for quality & level measurement device and navigation equipment
The team, consisting mainly of geologists and water experts, was shown the lock in Siófok and various measuring devices, as well as one of the four platforms for quality & level measurement device and navigation equipment located in the lake area.
Photo: Péter Kovács, Senior Advisor of the OVF (International Department) and Surasri Kidtimonton, Secretary General of the National Water Resources Management Office of Thailand
As a result of the visit and as a sign of strengthening a good relationship, a memorandum of understanding was signed by the Parties, which will be complemented in further professional discussions and productive meetings.
We can affirm that Thailand and Hungary have achieved outstanding results in the field of water management and disaster prevention, and both countries are mutually committed to share these experiences and make effective use of them.
Written and photographed by: Boglárka Horváth, intern, OVF, International Department
Reviewed by: Márton Pesel, deputy head of department and Katalin Szabó, senior functional officer OVF, International Department