Irrigation Department Allocates 400 Million Baht for Royal Canal Repairs

The Irrigation Department is accelerating repairs to Royal Canal 1 in Songkhla province and its associated structures following damage to parts of the infrastructure. The department has secured a 400 million baht budget and expects to sign the contract on August 18, 2025, with work targeting full restoration of drainage capacity by November to prepare for the southern monsoon season. Work will include concrete slab repairs, structural reinforcement of auxiliary structures, improvements to the canal-side road, and removal of water flow obstructions. The government has allocated funding for 66 water infrastructure projects across southern Thailand, totaling over 821 million baht, covering Songkhla, Satun, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat provinces.

Residents living along Royal Canal 1 in Hat Yai have expressed concern about construction delays. Local resident Bun noted that while irrigation officials have inspected the area and conducted surveys, no heavy machinery has yet arrived for repairs. He cautioned that unless work progresses quickly, the full canal rehabilitation may not be completed before the heavy rainy season, and repairs should not wait until the monsoon arrives, as wet conditions would hamper construction work.

The area previously suffered severe flooding, with water entering homes and residents evacuating to temples due to strong water currents. Residents fear a repeat of the 2018 flooding if the canal remains damaged during heavy rains. Saksit Khao Thong, Songkhla District 9 representative, stated that Royal Canal 1 is a critical water management structure for the province and urged relevant agencies to monitor the project continuously to ensure repairs are completed on schedule before the late-year monsoon arrives.