Suriya Orders Royal Irrigation Department to Implement Proactive Water Management with Five El Niño Response Plans

Agriculture Minister Suriya Jungrungruangkit revealed the directives after visiting the Phakdee Rampai Royal Irrigation Canal Project in Chanthaburi's Muang District and reviewing water management reports for Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). Accompanied by Deputy Agriculture Minister Wachraphon Khaokham and Permanent Secretary Winnarojon Suatsongsouk, Suriya emphasized that Thailand faces below-normal rainfall from mid-2025 continuing into 2026 due to climate fluctuations and El Niño effects.

In response, Suriya has ordered the Royal Irrigation Department and all relevant agencies to immediately implement "proactive water management" covering water collection, allocation, and efficient usage to support farmers, residents, and industries. For the EEC region, authorities must ensure adequate water pumping and transfer between canals and reservoirs. All agencies have been instructed to closely monitor rainfall and water conditions while preparing machinery and equipment to assist affected farmers and communities promptly.

Should flooding occur, Suriya directed all agencies to protect critical infrastructure including hospitals, temples, historical sites, and provincial and community facilities with "minimal" damage. In cases of dry spells, the irrigation department will deploy water trucks and pumping equipment to assist affected populations immediately.

"Water is not merely a production cost but the foundation of Thailand's economic infrastructure," Suriya stated. "The EEC must have water security alongside energy and logistics to attract investment."

The government frames this not as a crisis but as "advance preparation" to manage all risks through five measures:

1) Accelerate water storage in reservoirs, community water sources, and medium and small-scale distribution systems for dry spells and droughts 2) Manage water based on priority and location data, integrating with electricity, industrial, and local government agencies 3) Promote efficient water use, especially in agriculture, through precision irrigation systems, soil analysis, crop planning, and climate-smart agriculture technology 4) Monitor and forecast water conditions and crop yields closely to alert farmers and businesses in advance, reducing losses and market volatility 5) Increase "water productivity" so each unit of water generates greater output, income, and added value

Suriya stressed that Thailand must shift from "emergency drought response" to "strategic water management" for long-term food security, economic stability, and investment. "If all sectors collaborate using scientific data and efficient management, Thailand can navigate this climate volatility and turn challenges into opportunities to strengthen agriculture and the economy," he concluded.