One of the major problems facing Thai Karen villages is a serious shortage of potable water. The physical pressures of a government-imposed static village existence, coupled with the problem of water impurity, due to pollution by agricultural chemicals and pesticides and human/animal faeces, has caused a severe crisis in water management. During the 2005 and 2006 project seasons (it is not possible to get access to many villages, even by 4WD vehicle, during the May to November wet season) the Foundation plans to expand its provision of potable water to villages in particular crisis, by implementing some 20 new water projects and upgrading over 20 existing ones. This represents a major commitment to development in this field, but it is something of the utmost urgency, otherwise the incidence of serious illness and infant mortality will dramatically increase.

The March 2003 WHO conference on water management drew the world's attention to the reality that the shortage of potable water is one of the most serious problems facing humanity in the current century - and will continue to be thereafter. Water wars will become more frequent as friction emerges between upstream and downstream users. The Foundation has experienced such tensions in recent years and is working to minimise these by trying to increase friendly contact and mutual understanding between Karen villages and their downstream Northern Thai counterparts.

Gordonstoun School Thailand Water Projects

The first Gordonstoun Thailand Water project was the brainchild of a 16 year old pupil of Gordonstoun, Jonathan Reade, who took his concept to the then Headmaster, Michael Mavor, and received his enthusiastic support. Every year since then (with the exceptions of 1987 and 1988) teams of Gordonstoun volunteers have implemented water projects during the month of July in remote villages in Northern Thailand.

The 2007 project will be in Ban Mae Kha Tai village inside Mae Ngao National Park in Maesariang District of Maehongson Province. The Gordonstoun projects, falling as they do in the middle of the wet season, are always very physically and emotionally demanding, and this year's project looks like it will be no exception! The Gordonstoun School motto, "PLUS EST EN VOUS", will be put to the test once again.

Round Square Thailand Water Projects

December 1997 saw the introduction of the first annual Round Square International Service Thailand Water Project, with a team of student volunteers from Round Square member schools around the world. That and subsequent projects have proved to be such a beneficial experience to all those involved that there is now great competition each year to be selected as a member of the Round Square Thailand Water Project group.

This December's project location will be decided by the end of June, but will very probably also be in Mae Ngao National Park.

Ozzie Thailand Water Projects

Since 2003 there have been three Australian student projects, organised by Ballarat Grammar School. These have been highly successful and the next project is scheduled for January 2009.  Staff members, family and friends of Ballarat Grammar carried out our first adults' water project in 2005, which proved to be so much fun that our Foundation staff have been hooked on adult projects ever since.

Appleby College Water Projects

In 2006 a group of staff members and spouses from Appleby College in Ontarion, Canada, implemented a water project. This was a pilot project, to examine whether a future annual student project could be developed. As a result the first Appleby College Water Project was implemented in Ban Maekhong, Omkoi District, Chiangmai, in March 2007. Hopefully this will become an annual event.