Cabinet approves 7.2bn Baht Khlong Wang Tonot Reservoir

Prachachat•Politics•2d ago

Reader Briefing

The Cabinet approved a 7.2 billion baht budget for the Khlong Wang Tonot reservoir project in Chanthaburi province, sparking concerns from the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation over forest loss.

•The Cabinet approved 7,200 million baht for the Khlong Wang Tonot reservoir project in Chanthaburi.
•The project aims to support the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and 87,700 rai of agriculture.
•Seub Nakhasathien Foundation warns that the project will flood forest areas in Khao Sip Ha Chan National Park.
•The project is scheduled for a 7-year implementation period from budget years 2027 to 2033.

Overview

•On August 5, 2026, the Cabinet approved the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and the Royal Irrigation Department to proceed with the Khlong Wang Tonot reservoir project in Chanthaburi with a budget of 7,200 million baht.
•The project features a reservoir in Khun Song Subdistrict, Kaeng Hang Maew District, with a capacity of 99.50 million cubic meters, an EIRR of 13.18%, and a B/C ratio of 2.20.
•The project is intended to benefit 87,700 rai of irrigation area, support the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), and alleviate downstream flooding.
•Seub Nakhasathien Foundation stated that government documents omit the loss of wildlife habitats within Khao Sip Ha Chan National Park that will be submerged.
•On June 29, 2026, the National Water Resources Committee approved the project in principle, requiring the Royal Irrigation Department to review and reduce the area size before requesting land revocation.
•The project cannot begin construction immediately as it must first pass the National Park Board for land revocation.
•On June 5, 2026, Seub Nakhasathien Foundation sued to revoke the project's EHIA report, but the Central Administrative Court declined to accept the case on July 15, 2026, stating there was no administrative order to sue at that time.
•Seub Nakhasathien Foundation is preparing to file a new lawsuit with the Administrative Court following the Cabinet's approval.

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Key Entities

Organization

Seub Nakhasathien Foundation(มูลนิธิสืบนาคะเสถียร)

An organization questioning the environmental impact of the Khlong Wang Tonot reservoir and filing lawsuits against the project.

Cabinet(ครม.)

The government body that approved the 7,200 million baht budget for the Khlong Wang Tonot reservoir project.

Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives(กระทรวงเกษตรและสหกรณ์)

The ministry authorized by the Cabinet to move forward with the reservoir project.

Royal Irrigation Department(กรมชลประทาน)

The department responsible for implementing the reservoir project and reviewing area sizes.

CODI(พอช.)

An organization collaborating with the Royal Irrigation Department on the rural secure housing project and compensation for affected citizens.

National Water Resources Committee (NWRC)(คณะกรรมการทรัพยากรน้ำแห่งชาติ (กนช.))

The committee that approved the project in principle on June 29, 2026.

National Environment Board(คณะกรรมการสิ่งแวดล้อมแห่งชาติ)

The board whose resolutions dictate the necessary adjustment of the project area size.

National Park Board(บอร์ดอุทยานแห่งชาติ)

The authority that must approve the revocation of national park land for the project.

Administrative Court(ศาลปกครอง)ℹ️

The court where the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation filed and intends to file lawsuits regarding the project.

Central Administrative Court(ศาลปกครองกลาง)

The specific court that declined to accept the lawsuit on July 15, 2026.

Place

Chanthaburi Province(จังหวัดจันทบุรี)ℹ️

The location of the Khlong Wang Tonot reservoir project.

Khao Sip Ha Chan National Park(อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาสิบห้าชั้น)ℹ️

A national park area that the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation claims will be submerged by the reservoir.

Khun Song Subdistrict, Kaeng Hang Maew District(ตำบลขุนซ่อง อำเภอแก่งหางแมว)

The specific location of the reservoir's main dam.

Policy

Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC)(เขตพัฒนาพิเศษภาคตะวันออก (EEC))

A special development zone that the reservoir project is designed to support.