Chao Phraya Dam Cuts Outflow to 700 CMS; South Braces for More Rain

Agriculture Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced good news that the Chao Phraya River basin situation is starting to ease. The Royal Irrigation Department has continuously adjusted the discharge rate through the Chao Phraya Dam downward, most recently reducing it from 800 cubic meters per second to 700 cubic meters per second at 06:00 today (October 30), and will maintain this rate continuously. However, the discharge rate of 700 cubic meters per second is a level that does not cause the Chao Phraya River downstream of the dam to overflow its banks into lowland areas outside the flood barriers. This has resulted in water levels in those areas gradually falling back within the banks, and helps make pumping of remaining floodwater in lowland areas into the Chao Phraya River more convenient and efficient. At the same time, the Minister ordered the Royal Irrigation Department to mobilize water pumps and machinery to accelerate drainage from lowland areas to alleviate public hardship and allow farmers to return to planting as soon as possible, while managing to retain some water in fields appropriately for farmers to prepare plots for the new production cycle.

Royal Irrigation Department Director-General Vitiya Kaewmee stated that the department is ready to follow the Minister's orders by urgently mobilizing pumps and machinery to assist flood-hit areas, while closely monitoring rain and water situations nationwide, especially in the South where heavy rain in the previous period has started to decrease but heavy rain still occurs in some areas of Prachuap Khiri Khan and Phuket. According to 24-hour accumulated rainfall data from the Hydro-Informatics Institute (Public Organization) as of October 30, 2026, Prachuap Khiri Khan recorded a maximum of 143 millimeters at Ban Sai Koo Station, Bang Saphan District, while Phuket recorded a maximum of 124 millimeters at Saphan Damrong Station, Mueang Phuket District.

The Thai Meteorological Department indicates that ongoing rain in the South is due to the influence of residual winds and moisture from a low-pressure trough that has moved into the Andaman Sea, causing the heavy rain situation to start easing with a decreasing trend in this period. However, rain may increase again during November 5-6, especially on the southern Gulf of Thailand coast. Mr. Vitiya added that the Royal Irrigation Department will continue to closely monitor rain and water situations, including water volumes in various reservoirs, and will adjust water management plans for maximum efficiency in line with each area's situation to reduce impacts on the public and agricultural areas, especially in the South which must continuously monitor rain and water conditions until the rainy season ends.