World Bank Backs Thailand's Water Management System Development to Combat Disasters

The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has engaged with the World Bank to advance collaboration on developing water management systems and flood prevention. The partnership includes knowledge sharing, grants, and technical assistance aimed at strengthening Thailand's water infrastructure to address future disaster risks and climate change impacts.

On May 14, 2025, Surawut Neuangchamnangh, Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, welcomed a World Bank team led by senior water resources management expert Sanjay Pahuja, accompanied by officials including Suriypol Nuchanong, Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department, and Pairyya Sevatjinda, Director of the International Agriculture Office, at the Agriculture Ministry headquarters.

Both parties exchanged cooperation approaches on water management and flood prevention. The World Bank outlined its support for Thailand's project preparation phase, including knowledge transfer, technical advice, grants, and technical assistance to help the Royal Irrigation Department systematically study and develop detailed project proposals.

Surawut emphasized that both sides agreed water management and flood prevention are critical national infrastructure requiring accelerated system development to effectively manage future disaster risks. The Ministry plans to incorporate international knowledge and experience adapted to Thailand's context, coordinating with relevant agencies on budget and funding sources to proceed with the project.

The discussion also covered preparations for a meeting between Water Resources Minister Suraiya Jungrungruangjit and Saroj Kumar Jha, World Bank's Global Director for Water Resources, scheduled for June 2025 to discuss water resource cooperation and major projects.