Bangkok: "Suriya" tackles recurring flooding problems, prepares to visit Hat Yai to implement measures to cope with the rainy season in southern Thailand. Suriya acknowledged the Prime Minister's concerns and urged the swift resolution of recurring flooding issues in high-risk areas. He instructed the Royal Irrigation Department to manage water resources in anticipation of increased rainfall towards the end of the month, to monitor the Chao Phraya River basin for upstream water runoff, and to prepare for a visit to Hat Yai next week to implement proactive measures before the start of the rainy season in the South, following the severe flooding of 2025.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, stated that the Prime Minister is concerned about the flooding problem, especially in areas prone to recurring floods, and has instructed relevant agencies to expedite prevention and mitigation efforts in all at-risk areas. Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has ordered the Royal Irrigation Department to closely monitor rainfall and water levels and manage water resources appropriately according to the situation in each area.
For the upper regions, instructions have been given to prepare for the expected increase in rainfall towards the end of August, especially regarding water management in the Chao Phraya River basin, which must accommodate upstream water. Appropriate control of water discharge is crucial to minimize the impact on vulnerable areas.
Regarding preparations for the water situation in the South, Mr. Suriya said that next week he will travel to Songkhla province for the official Cabinet meeting held outside of Bangkok. He will visit Hat Yai district to follow up on the progress of repairs to the R.1 drainage canal and assess the readiness of the drainage system in order to implement proactive measures before the rainy season in the South, following the severe flooding experienced in 2025.
Mr. Suriya stated that proactive preparation is crucial to prevent a recurrence of severe damage. He added that they will monitor the efficiency of the drainage system and vulnerable areas, and coordinate with relevant agencies to prepare for rainfall and water levels during the rainy season in the South.
Regarding long-term solutions to flooding, Mr. Suriya stated that the Prime Minister prioritizes addressing recurring floods because current water storage facilities are insufficient. He added that each time a flood occurs, the government spends approximately 20 billion baht annually on relief efforts, but this cannot fully compensate for the impact on people's lives and livelihoods.
The Ministry of Agriculture is therefore studying various river basins to develop medium and large-scale water reservoirs, increasing water storage capacity and reducing long-term flood damage.
As for Nan province, which recently experienced major flooding, long-term prevention includes the "city bypass canal" project, which the Ministry of Agriculture has already studied. The government is currently considering funding sources and a budget commitment framework to push the project forward and improve water management efficiency in the area.