Royal Irrigation Department Clarifies Cha-Uad–Phraek Muang Canal Dredging Project Phase 2

The Royal Irrigation Department has issued a clarification regarding Phase 2 of the Cha-Uad–Phraek Muang Canal dredging project, explaining that it is designed to address the problem of silted waterways caused by sediment and sand accumulation during flood season, which impacts water drainage efficiency and water management in the area.

The project, managed by Mechanical Division 8 under the Mechanical Engineering Office of the Royal Irrigation Department, involves direct dredging operations with a total volume of 1.91 million cubic meters and a budget of 60 million baht to improve water drainage efficiency, water retention capacity, and reduce flood impacts in the Pak Phanang watershed.

Regarding fuel procurement, the department has complied with the 2017 Public Procurement and State Asset Management Act. Fuel has been purchased for machinery and dredging vessels operating continuously 14 hours daily in multiple units, with fuel consumption rates proportional to the size and power of the equipment.

The project is currently 92.74% complete with 90.34% budget disbursement, leaving only 7.26% of work remaining, which is being expedited to meet the scheduled completion date.

The project aims to enhance the water drainage efficiency of the Cha-Uad–Phraek Muang Canal, a critical water management and flood mitigation structure for Nakhon Si Thammarat Province and surrounding areas. It will store 15 million cubic meters of water for dry season use and supply water to agricultural areas in Hua Sai and Chiang Mai districts covering more than 80,000 rai, while also serving as a water reserve to support fire prevention efforts in the Khuan Khreng Mangrove Forest covering over 200,000 rai.