Bangkok: The Prime Minister is set to allocate funds for flood relief and the development of water diversion and drainage projects in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture. He affirmed his readiness to approve proposals immediately, before the dissolution of Parliament, ensuring that these initiatives bring sustained benefits to the nation.
According to Thai News Agency, Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Anutin Charnvirakul, discussed the government's strategy after visiting Ang Thong and Ayutthaya provinces to assess the water situation. He identified an urgent need to divert water away from the Chao Phraya River basin and noted potential areas for drainage in the eastern region. Consequently, he instructed Danucha Pichayanan, Secretary-General of the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR), to coordinate with the Royal Irrigation Department, emphasizing that this directive is from the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister highlighted efforts to allocate compensation for those impacted by flooding, with assessments being conducted monthly based on the severity of hardship in each area. Mr. Paradorn Prisananantakul, Minister to the Prime Minister's Office, has been tasked with presenting a compensation plan to the Cabinet. Compensation will also extend to agricultural and residential areas, regardless of their location.
Discussing water drainage rates, the Prime Minister mentioned maintaining a flow of 2,900 cubic meters per second as a safe target based on weather forecasts. He urged the Director of the ONWR to provide clarity on drainage boundaries and locations, stressing the need for expedited project approval to resolve the long-term flooding issues. He highlighted the financial burden of annual compensation, which could reach hundreds of billions of baht if unresolved.
Mr. Anutin expressed a desire for projects that prevent flooding, suggesting that people would prefer stable housing over temporary compensation. He lamented political obstacles that delay project approvals and emphasized his commitment to advancing projects like the Pa Sak, Gulf of Thailand, and Chao Phraya River initiatives to enhance water management.
The Prime Minister noted that project timelines would depend on approval processes, with implementation planned in phases. He urged the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to propose projects promptly, ensuring their approval before Parliament's dissolution.