Minister Orders Proactive Water Management for Chao Phraya

Agriculture Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit has ordered an overhaul of water management strategy with heightened monitoring of the Chao Phraya River ahead of expected rainfall increases. Following a coordination meeting on water conditions and management across the Chao Phraya basin at the royal-initiated Khlong Lat Pho floodgate project in Samut Prakan province on September 27, Suriya explained that Thailand experienced heavy, persistent rains throughout September from successive monsoon troughs and southwest winds, causing floods and overflow in numerous low-lying areas. Although conditions in many areas have begun to normalize, critical zones—particularly low-lying areas and riverbanks—still require close monitoring.

Suriya directed the Royal Irrigation Department, following Prime Minister's orders, to continuously track weather and national water conditions with special attention to high-risk areas, maintaining full readiness 24/7 with personnel, machinery, equipment, and irrigation systems. Water management plans must be continuously adjusted based on data analysis and trend assessment to suit conditions in each area. In flooded zones, machinery and equipment must be urgently deployed to drain water quickly. For the Chao Phraya basin, upper areas should be managed as retention zones while irrigation systems on both east and west sides of the Chao Phraya River are deployed at full capacity for water distribution and drainage. Coordination and field monitoring must be ongoing while prioritizing agricultural and economic areas alongside water management to minimize public harm.

Suriya added that obstructions to water flow must be urgently removed, irrigation structures and pump stations checked and readied, and the royal-initiated Khlong Lat Pho floodgate, additional pump stations, and pumping equipment deployed to accelerate water discharge into main waterways and the Gulf of Thailand in coordination with tidal cycles. Public communication and water condition alerts must continue so people can prepare adequately. Suriya emphasized that water management requires careful and balanced operations prioritizing public safety and welfare, alongside flood prevention and mitigation, water storage for dry seasons, and reduced agricultural impact.

Vithaya Kaewmi, director-general of the Royal Irrigation Department, added that water is continuously flowing from upper areas into the Chao Phraya basin, and rainfall is forecasted to increase across central Thailand, requiring close monitoring. Increased rainfall could raise water volumes and levels downstream of dams. The department has planned water management in advance, slowing upstream water and distributing it into both east and west irrigation systems at full capacity while managing discharge through Chao Phraya dams appropriately to match incoming water volume.