Educator dreams up hydro plant

VOCATIONAL teachers and students have joined forces with local people to construct a hydropower plant at the foot of Doi Luang Chiang Dao Mountain. 

Manus Daomanee, president of the Toyota Automotive Technological College, is credited with starting this innovative project at this remote corner of Chiang Mai’s Chiang Dao district.

Manus hopes his charity-funded project will provide free electricity for a local school and a temple from next May. 

“This power plant may also be able to provide free lighting on local and public roads at night, as the school and the temple won’t need to use much electricity after nightfall,” said Manus. 

Nestled as it is in a timeless rural setting, the mountain has attracted a high number of tourists over the years. Manus was one of those tourists and he was inspired to start the project during cycling trips to the area to take in the fresh air and indulge in a slower life. During his many visits, Manus noticed that a stream by the Doi Luang Chiang Dao Mountain never ran dry. 

“It has water in all seasons. That’s why I believe it should be possible to set up a hydropower facility here for a good cause,” he said.

Manus turned his idea into action, encouraging his friends who had solid knowledge of hydropower technology to check the water flow in the Doi Luang Chiang Dao Mountain and inspect a hydropower plant in a nearby village.

He also held meetings with locals to find out if they would agree with his idea. 

After he got the green light, he raised Bt3 million via two merit-making campaigns for the hydropower-plant project.

Lecturers and students from Samut Prakan Technical College have also jumped on his bandwagon. With their help in welding, designing and assembling, key parts of the 100-kilowatt hydropower plant have already been installed.

“I think we will launch one more charity campaign to raise additional funds for this project. We need some more money to buy devices such as a transformer and electric wires,” Manus said.

He also hopes this project can become a learning centre in the future too. 

Wimon Sripakdee, a local resident who also serves as a tour guide and village-defence volunteer, said he had taken part in the hydropower plant project from the very beginning and is keen to embrace Manus’ initiative. 

“I would like to contribute wherever I can. I am ready to learn new things and help run the power plant,” he said. 

Taweesak Khiewthong, director of Samut Prakan Technical College, said Manus’s project has provided vocational students with a good opportunity to work on a real project. 

“This project also gives a boost to the image of vocational students. It is also in line with the government’s policy to encourage students to put their knowledge to good use,” he said.

Wanit Uamsri, deputy secretary-general of the Office of Vocational Education Commission, described the hydropower plant project as an exemplary model of fruitful collaboration between private and government-run vocational education institutes. 

“Through such collaboration, vocational students and teachers focus on not just learning and teaching at their institutes, but also how to apply their knowledge to benefit society and community,” he said.