Deputy Agriculture Minister Visits Sam Khok to Address Flood Impact
Deputy Agriculture Minister Wacharan Khawkhamm visited Sam Khok district in Pathum Thani to assess flood impacts and outline assistance measures for affected farmers and fishermen. He announced compensation criteria and urged quick harvesting and livestock relocation as water levels threaten to rise further. Prices for vegetables and eggs are already increasing as the vegetarian festival approaches.
Wacharan Khawkhamm, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, toured Sam Khok district to assess the water situation after the Meteorological Department forecast rain from October 4‑7 and a second heavy spell expected October 9‑12, similar to late September. He said he was gathering data on flood impacts to farmers, rice growers, livestock producers and fishermen to report to Agriculture Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, who will formulate assistance, recovery and compensation measures for submission to the Cabinet. Compensation guidelines require farmers to be registered with the Farmer’s Association (green book) and show real damage; rice, field crops and fruit trees receive up to 30 rai per household. For fisheries, compensation is 12,350 baht per rai (max 5 rai) for giant freshwater shrimp, sea shrimp or sea shells; 4,890 baht per rai (max 5 rai) for fish or other aquatic animals raised in earthen ponds, rice fields or garden canals; and 390 baht per square metre (max 80 sqm) for animals raised in cages, cement ponds or similar setups, with a minimum payout of 390 baht per household if the calculated amount is lower. The Deputy Minister noted that the Chao Phraya dam is discharging water at 2,500 cubic metres per second, a high‑alert level that could raise river levels by 20‑60 centimetres in Sam Khok and Mueang Pathum Thani, threatening to overtop banks and flood homes, riverside areas, fish rafts and restaurants, while areas inside the embankments remain safe but need monitoring for seepage, tributaries and high sea tides. He urged low‑lying farmers to harvest immediately and move movable livestock. Authorities expect to keep the discharge rate for five to six days to drain upstream water before another monsoon surge; if no heavy rain falls, water should recede by mid‑ to late October, otherwise flooding could persist into early November. He also observed that vegetable and egg prices in Pathum Thani are beginning to rise as the vegetarian festival approaches.
