Floods Submerge 1.3 Million Rai of Rice Fields, Hit 140,000 Farmers
Floods have submerged over 1.3 million rai of rice paddies across Thailand, affecting about 140,000 farmers. The Irrigation Department is draining canals and preparing for more rain, while the Agricultural Extension Department has declared emergency zones in 24 provinces and outlined compensation rates for damaged crops. Officials urge residents in low‑lying areas to monitor weather forecasts and official warnings.
More than 1.3 million rai of rice fields have been inundated by floodwaters, affecting approximately 140,000 farmers, according to Thanet Sombun, director of the Water Management and Hydrology Office and spokesperson for the Royal Irrigation Department. He said that based on weather forecasts, rainfall increased in some areas between October 5 and 7, before tapering off on October 8 and 9, with a chance of rain returning in the lower central region on October 10 and 11, especially in Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces, while close monitoring continues for the south and east. The Irrigation Department is using the period when upstream water volumes are expected to decline to drain irrigation canals, increase water retention capacity, and prepare drainage systems, machinery, equipment, and pumping stations for a new round of rain. It urged residents, especially those in low‑lying areas and along riverbanks, to closely follow weather updates, rain conditions, water levels, and official warnings. The department will monitor water and rain situations around the clock and adjust water management and distribution to ensure efficient drainage, retain storage capacity, and reduce impacts on at‑risk communities.
Wirasak Boonchoen, deputy director-general of the Department of Agricultural Extension, added that from September 3 to October 4, 2024, flooding had affected 43 provinces, with 146,137 farmers impacted and 1,896,978 rai of land damaged. Of that, an estimated 1,661,685.12 rai is expected to suffer losses, broken down into 1,331,794.63 rai of rice, 246,434.95 rai of field crops and vegetables, and 96,442.04 rai of fruit trees and perennial plants. Emergency disaster zones have been declared in 24 provinces. Assistance for farmers follows set criteria: they must be registered farmers or hold a green bank book, have cultivated land that was actually damaged, and the damage must be genuine.
Under the 2024 emergency agricultural assistance guidelines, compensation rates are set at 2,240 baht per rai for rice, 3,180 baht per rai for field crops and vegetables, and 6,800 baht per rai for fruit trees and perennial trees—if the perennial trees can recover, the rate is 3,400 baht per rai, limited to 30 rai per household. If the farmland is covered by stones, soil, sand, wood or mud, the cleanup and relocation cost is 16,000 baht per rai, up to five rai per household. Additionally, agricultural officers will help farmers restore soil quality, prepare bio‑agents, and improve soil for short‑term crops, with the Department of Agricultural Extension providing short‑term seed varieties to generate post‑flood income.
