Chiang Mai film director gets knickers in twist over water crisis

A Chiang Mai film director donned red women’s underwear to protest a persistent water supply issue in his village, capturing social media’s attention. This unusual demonstration highlights a decade-long problem affecting residents’ daily lives.

Nitchapoom Chaianan, a 39 year old movie director at Wayufilm, took an unconventional approach to draw attention to the ongoing water crisis. In a bold move, he stood in the village wearing just red women’s underwear, holding a protest sign, capturing both local and online attention.

His message stated, “Ban Thor Pa Tan, no water again, can’t even clean…” underscoring the severity of the situation that has plagued the area for 10 years.

Reflecting on a similar protest from 10 years ago, Nitchapoom recalled an earlier demonstration on August 17, 2014, when he protested against the Provincial Waterworks Authority in Mae Rim. Back then, he wore a towel. Over the past decade, he has faced water supply issues almost monthly, with problems ranging from broken pipes to water shortages.

“Especially at night and in the morning, the water pressure is weak.”

Nitchapoom further detailed that the ageing water pipe system has been a significant factor. At night, when water usage decreases, the pressure within the pipes rises, necessitating a reduction in pressure.

As a result, the water supply at the end of the line becomes insufficient, leaving homes on the second and third floors without adequate water pressure. This issue has persisted for 10 years.

He decided to protest in this daring manner to spark interest and urgency in resolving the issue. Nitchapoom acknowledged the hard work of repair staff and the Mae Rim Provincial Waterworks Authority’s online team, who consistently provide updates on breakdowns, closures, and ongoing repairs. Their efforts, he noted, have been commendable.

Nonetheless, Nitchapoom expressed frustration over the frequent water supply problems. He urged those officials, especially high-level decision-makers, to consider the systemic issues at play.

Whether the problems stem from budgetary constraints or technical challenges, Nitchapoom called for sustainable solutions to end the prolonged inconvenience that residents have endured for decades, reported KhaoSod.

“Yesterday, they announced water would be released by 7am, but by the afternoon, it still hadn’t come.”

Nitchapoom warned that if the situation continues for another decade, his next protest might involve even less clothing, though he remains hopeful that a resolution will be reached.