Farmer Battles Flood to Save 50 Rai Rice Field
In Sena district, Ayutthaya province, 70-year-old farmer Charras Khumho is struggling to save his 50-rai rice field from floodwaters that have submerged neighboring fields. He has reinforced bunds with a backhoe, used sandbags, and operated three pumps to drain water, spending over 50,000 baht on fuel and machinery while carrying a 2-million-baht loan. He urges the government to provide flood relief and debt assistance for affected farmers.
Farmer Charras Khumho, 70, of Marwichai Subdistrict, tends a 50-rai rice field that is waiting to be harvested. Since September 24, floodwaters from heavy rain and releases from the Chao Jed and Pak Hai sluice gates have inundated the area. He initially built earthen bunds to keep water out, but after another night of rain the water rose rapidly and overwhelmed the barriers. He brought in a backhoe to strengthen the bunds, placed sandbags at seepage points, and set up three pumps to drain the field, aiming to reduce the water level so a harvester can enter in time.
He said nearby fields are almost completely submerged, leaving only his plot still under defense. This is the third round of bund construction, and he is unsure whether he can save all 50 rai as water levels continue to rise. A harvester is already on standby but cannot operate until the water is pumped out.
Charras explained that the fight has incurred significant costs: fuel for the pumps consumes about 30 liters per day, and total expenses for machinery, fuel, and other needs exceed 50,000 baht. He knows that even if he manages to harvest, he may still suffer a loss because of the added costs, but he must try every possible way to avoid losing the entire crop.
He currently owes about 2 million baht to the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) and has not been able to repay the principal, paying only interest. He calls on the government to expedite assistance for flood‑affected farmers, especially relief measures and debt‑easing programs that reflect the real situation.
