PM Confirms Canal R.1 Work to Finish Before Flood Season
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command meeting was not suspended, noting Thailand is hosting the World Bank and IMF this week. He emphasized that southern flood preparations are underway, with several ministers already assigned to the region and Canal R.1 upgrades on track to finish before the flood season. The government has allocated over 700‑800 million baht for the canal project, and the Irrigation Department is monitoring progress closely.
Speaking at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation at 09:05 on 12 October 2026, Anutin said he had not actually halted the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command meeting, but noted that Thailand is hosting the World Bank and IMF this week and that the overall situation is close to normal, with only a few flood‑affected spots remaining because of the local geography. When asked whether ministers need to be stationed in the southern flood‑prone areas for emergencies, he said Deputy Prime Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn (also Transport Minister), Deputy Transport Minister Sanpet Bunyaman, and Deputy Interior Minister Woratit Liangprasert share responsibility. He added that on Saturday, 10 October, he visited southern provinces together with the governors, including Pattani, and all parties had prepared emergency plans and necessary supplies. Asked which southern provinces remain of concern, he said the usual three southern border provinces: Narathiwat experiences flooding, while Songkhla, Phatthalung, Satun and Trang face recurring problems that need urgent attention. Songkhla has raised its flood defenses by dredging canals to increase water outflow to Songkhla Lake and by upgrading Canal R.1, for which the government has allocated over 700‑800 million baht from the central budget. Progress on the canal is reported to be good, with the Irrigation Department monitoring it closely. Anutin reiterated that Canal R.1 must be finished in time for the flood season, calling it a condition, and said current work is well advanced.
