Bangkok: Nakhon Si Thammarat The Royal Irrigation Department is accelerating efforts to remove water hyacinths and clear waterways in preparation for flooding. The Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department has ordered immediate action to expedite the removal of water hyacinths. The goal is to improve water management efficiency nationwide and mitigate the impact of floods and flash floods on residential areas.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Witthaya Kaewmee, Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department, presided over the "Kick-off event for the nationwide removal of water hyacinth and waterway obstructions" at the Uthok Wiphach Prasit sluice gate in Pak Phanang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. Mr. Surapong Charoenkarn, Director of Irrigation Office 15, along with executives and relevant officials, participated in the event. This activity was conducted simultaneously in areas under the responsibility of all 17 irrigation offices nationwide to urgently address the problem of water hyacinth and aquatic weeds obstructing waterways, aiming to improve water management efficiency.
Mr. Witthaya Kaewmee stated that the problem of water hyacinth and aquatic weeds is a significant issue impacting water management efficiency in rivers and irrigation canals nationwide. Besides obstructing water flow, it hinders agricultural water supply, drainage during flood season, and affects water quality and the overall ecosystem. Therefore, the Royal Irrigation Department continuously removes water hyacinth and other waterway obstructions throughout the year. This nationwide kick-off event demonstrates the department's commitment to integrating personnel, machinery, and innovation to effectively and continuously address the problem. A proactive approach will be applied to different areas, tailored to specific problems, utilizing environmentally safe chemical mixtures combined with high-capacity machinery to significantly improve weed removal efficiency and reduce the re-accumulation of water hyacinth in waterways.
The Royal Irrigation Department Region 15 has established two main methods for water hyacinth removal. The first involves using a chemical mixture (SWP.62-ChP.1), tested in 11 plots in the Pak Phanang river basin since April 7, 2026. The results show that the water hyacinth dries up naturally without environmental impact. The second method uses machinery in the Pak Phanang river basin, which comprises 673 canals with a total length of approximately 1,800 kilometers. Of these, 349 are irrigation and drainage canals under the responsibility of the Royal Irrigation Department, totaling approximately 800 kilometers. Surveys estimate the amount of water hyacinth obstructing waterways within irrigation zones to be approximately 920,000 tons. Including natural canals outside irrigation zones, the accumulated amount is estimated at 1.2 million tons. Therefore, continuous removal is necessary to mitigate potential impacts on the public.
The Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department has instructed all units to fully and continuously carry out weed and waterway obstruction removal operations, prioritizing the safety of personnel above all else. This effort aims to restore the clarity of water sources, enhance water supply and drainage capabilities, and support water management for the maximum benefit of people nationwide.