Thailand Allocates 90 Million Baht for Flood Drainage Canal Dredging

Deputy Transport Minister Sarapetch Bunyamani inspected dredging operations on Khlong Uthaphao near Laguna Bridge in Bang Klam District, Songkhla Province on August 8, 2026 to accelerate drainage improvements and mitigate flooding impacts in Hat Yai and downstream areas. The Port Authority has received initial funding of over 1 million baht for dredging work and is pushing for additional budget allocation. Officials are coordinating with the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry to use abandoned shrimp farms as reception areas for excavated soil, reducing transport distances and avoiding dumping in Songkhla Lake, which could cause long-term sedimentation problems. Administrative procedures are underway.

For fiscal year 2570, nearly 90 million baht has been allocated for dredging three critical canals: Khlong Uthaphao, Khlong R.1, and Khlong R.3 to improve drainage efficiency and alleviate Hat Yai flooding. The Khlong Uthaphao section being inspected covers approximately 5 kilometers and will be deepened from 2 meters to 3 meters below mean sea level over about 55 days. Officials acknowledge this alone cannot fully solve the problem due to budget constraints and plan continuous dredging expansion while addressing Songkhla Lake's shallowing issues.

Deputy Minister Sarapetch instructed the Port Authority to accelerate opening the bay mouth at Khlong Uthaphao to increase drainage into Songkhla Lake. Plans are being submitted to the cabinet for additional dredging, with contingency budgeting for fiscal year 2571 if needed. The Transport Ministry has tasked related agencies to clear debris, soil, and silt from drainage systems and address road obstructions to enhance water discharge and prepare for potential flooding.