Cabinet Approves 12.66 Billion Baht Water Diversion for EEC
The Cabinet has green‑lighted a 12.656‑billion‑baht plan to divert water from three reservoirs to supply the Eastern Economic Corridor within five years. The project will raise Bang Phra Reservoir’s storage by about 60 million cubic metres to meet rising demand from households, farms, factories and tourists. Officials say the upgrade will strengthen water security and support long‑term growth of Chonburi Province and the EEC.
The Cabinet approved the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, through the Royal Irrigation Department, to carry out the water diversion project linking the Pra Sae, Nong Kho and Bang Phra reservoirs, with a total budget of 12.656 billion baht. The project is set to run from fiscal year 2027 to 2031 (2570–2574 BE) and aims to boost Bang Phra Reservoir’s supply by approximately 60 million cubic metres to meet growing water demand from households, agriculture, industry and tourism, while supporting development of the Eastern Economic Corridor.
Phatdarassmthong Thongsluangkor, Deputy Government Spokesperson, emphasized that water is essential for people's livelihoods and the economy, especially in Chonburi Province, which hosts urban communities, tourist attractions and industries that require a steady water supply. She said developing infrastructure to connect water sources is a key strategy to enhance water management capacity, prepare for future needs and sustain EEC expansion.
The diversion route will stretch over 75 kilometres, connecting the three reservoirs. Specifically, water will be drawn from the Pra Sae Reservoir in Rayong Province, flow through the Nong Kho Reservoir and reach the Bang Phra Reservoir in Chonburi Province. The project comprises three main components: a pumping station at Pra Sae Reservoir equipped with pumps to feed water into the diversion system; about 70 kilometres of pipeline linking Pra Sae Reservoir to Nong Kho Reservoir in Chonburi Province; and the improvement of roughly 5.35 kilometres of existing drainage canal connecting Nong Kho Reservoir to Bang Phra Reservoir to increase efficiency of water delivery to the terminal storage.
Upon completion, the project is expected to add about 60 million cubic metres of water to Bang Phra Reservoir, sufficient for domestic use, agriculture, industry and tourism, and to facilitate economic activities in the EEC that require reliable water resources and systematic management.
Phatdarassmthong Thongsluangkor added that water‑infrastructure development must be accompanied by proper water‑resources management. The Royal Irrigation Department will coordinate with relevant agencies and plan water allocation to match available supplies and annual demand across sectors, ensuring the diversion yields maximum benefit while serving public needs alongside economic development in the area.
The project is scheduled for implementation between fiscal years 2027 and 2031. Water management will need to consider available supplies, sectoral demand and appropriate distribution to strengthen water security and support long‑term development of Chonburi Province and the Eastern Economic Corridor.
