Royal Irrigation Department Advances Development of Huai Mae Jai Dam (Huai Hok) to Combat Drought Sustainably, Supply Water to Communities, and Preserve Phayao's Ecosystem

Amid climate variability and the Super El Niño phenomenon causing extreme weather changes, Thailand must prepare to manage water resources adequately for consumption and agriculture. Sri Thoe Subdistrict in Mae Jai District, Phayao Province, faces chronic problems with irregular rainfall and severe dry-season water shortages, while having no storage facilities during flooding seasons. The Royal Irrigation Department is now advancing the "Huai Mae Jai (Huai Hok) Reservoir Project" to ensure sustainable water security and revitalize farming communities, initiated by a public request letter.

Lieutenant Colonel Surachit Duangjanthorn, chairman of the Huai Mae Jai water users group, stated that in July 2013, water users formally submitted a letter to the Royal Irrigation Department requesting construction of the reservoir to store water for both consumption and agriculture, as over 80 percent of the area lies outside irrigation zones. He emphasized that "with the Huai Mae Jai reservoir, residents will have reliable drinking water, farmers can plan their planting schedules, water can be stored during flooding season to mitigate flood damage, and risks of drought from increasingly severe weather changes can be reduced."

Darini Chaiyaphet, environmental impact consultant for the Royal Irrigation Department, stated that the department has collaborated with government agencies, local organizations, and communities to thoroughly study the project and found it viable through reservoir construction. The project is expected to take three years to complete with a budget of 490.31 million baht, including 47.22 million baht for land and property compensation. The project shows strong economic value, with farmer household income projected to increase from 7,874 baht per rai to 20,569 baht per rai.

The Huai Mae Jai (Huai Hok) Reservoir Project will be a medium-sized facility with a storage capacity of 2.825 million cubic meters, covering 2,300 rai of both elevated and lowland areas in Sri Thoe Subdistrict, Mae Jai District, Phayao Province. The dam will be constructed as a compacted earth dam with clay core, reaching approximately 40 meters at its highest point and spanning 208 meters in length, equipped with spillways and water delivery pipes for efficient water management and distribution to agricultural areas.

Sithisong Petchaploy, village headman of Moo 6, Thung Pa Kha Village, Sri Thoe Subdistrict, Mae Jai District, Phayao Province, noted that farmers currently plant only during the rainy season, with many migrating for work during the dry season, leaving fields abandoned. With the reservoir, farmers will have sufficient water to plan additional planting cycles, reduce pumping costs, increase household income, and keep families from having to migrate for seasonal work elsewhere.

Currently, the Huai Mae Jai (Huai Hok) Reservoir Project is undergoing feasibility studies and environmental impact assessments with full public participation, from gathering public opinions to implementing environmental mitigation measures and monitoring implementation progress.