Suchath Orders Water Resources Department to Increase Water Supply to Combat Drought and Unpredictable Rainfall Conditions
Thailand's Water Resources Department is accelerating efforts to boost water supply across the country following ministerial orders to combat drought and erratic rainfall. The department has mobilized 115 water pumps and distributed aid to
The Water Resources Department is accelerating implementation of public relief measures on May 7, 2026, following directives from Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchath Chomklin to increase water supply for consumption and use. The directive instructs affiliated agencies to boost drinking water and domestic water access, support village water supply systems, stockpile water in drought-prone areas, and distribute water to support agriculture, ensuring sufficient water supply to meet the needs of communities at risk of water scarcity and agricultural areas affected by erratic rainfall.
Water Resources Department Director General Theerachunn Boonsitthi announced that the Water Situation Analysis and Assessment Unit (WSAAU) has been ordered to collect, analyze, and monitor water data, while the 11 regional water resources offices have been instructed to continuously monitor conditions in their areas and accelerate efforts to provide access to drinking water and agricultural water throughout their regions.
Currently, 294 surface water sources with a combined capacity of 564.13 million cubic meters hold 332.71 million cubic meters of water, representing 58.98% of total capacity, to meet public water demands. Since October 1, 2025, relief efforts across 31 provinces have supported 115 water pumps with combined pumping capacity of 16.68 million cubic meters and distributed 3,945,714 liters of drinking water, benefiting 96,048 households totaling 333,487 people. Agricultural areas benefited amount to 168,271 rai, comprising 145,838 rai of fruit plantations and 22,433 rai of rice paddies.
The Water Resources Department is monitoring global climate trends, with data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasting that Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand, will experience ENSO-Neutral conditions from April to June 2026, which may cause unpredictable early-season rainfall, scattered showers, and localized downpours. The latter half of the year shows increased drought risk due to declining baseline water and soil moisture, though short-term heavy rainfall in some periods may pose flash flooding and sudden flood threats to low-lying and foothill areas.
The Water Resources Department has implemented proactive preparedness measures including water retention in reservoirs, improved water distribution system efficiency, water situation monitoring, machinery and pump readiness, and arrangement of backup water sources to support drinking water and agricultural needs in at-risk areas, while coordinating with local agencies to alleviate public hardship, reduce climate variability impacts, and ensure continuous water security.
