Cabinet approves 95bn baht Lower Chao Phraya water management project

Prachachat•Politics•1d ago

Reader Briefing

The Thai Cabinet has approved a 95,000 million baht irrigation improvement project for the lower eastern Chao Phraya region to combat recurring floods and droughts.

•The Cabinet approved a 95,000 million baht budget for the Lower Eastern Chao Phraya Irrigation System Improvement Project.
•The project will be implemented by the Royal Irrigation Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives over 6 years (Fiscal Years 2027-2032).
•The initiative covers 8 provinces, including Bangkok, Samut Prakan, and Pathum Thani, involving 22 main canals and 23 water control buildings.
•Funding consists of 76,507.29 million baht in loans and 18,492.71 million baht from annual budget allocations.

Overview

•The Cabinet approved the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and the Royal Irrigation Department to implement the Lower Eastern Chao Phraya Irrigation System Improvement Project.
•The total budget for the project is 95,000 million baht, split into 76,507.29 million baht in loans and 18,492.71 million baht from annual budgets.
•The project implementation period is set for 6 years, spanning fiscal years 2027 to 2032.
•Phase 1, with a budget of 40,507 million baht, will prioritize excavating and expanding north-south canals such as Khlong Raphiphat and Khlong Dan to drain water directly into the Gulf of Thailand.
•Phase 2, with a budget of 54,493 million baht, will carry out the remaining construction works.
•The project covers 22 main canals totaling approximately 460 kilometers and 23 water control buildings across 8 provinces including Saraburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Nakhon Nayok, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Chachoengsao, and Bangkok.
•The project will increase water intake into Khlong Raphiphat from 210 to 400 cubic meters per second and increase drainage into the Gulf of Thailand via coastal canals to 144 cubic meters per second.
•Upon completion, the project is expected to reduce annual flood damage by an average of 10 billion baht, protect over 258,000 rai of community and economic areas, and increase dry-season water storage by over 17 million cubic meters per year.

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Key Entities

Organization

Cabinet(ครม.)

The government body that approved the irrigation improvement project budget.

Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives(กระทรวงเกษตรและสหกรณ์)

The ministry authorized to implement the irrigation improvement project.

Royal Irrigation Department(กรมชลประทาน)

The department responsible for executing the Lower Eastern Chao Phraya Irrigation System Improvement Project.

Prime Minister's Office(สำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี)

The office to which the Deputy Government Spokesperson is attached.

Person

Captain Phatdararasmi Thongsaluaykorn(ร้อยเอกหญิงภัทร์ดารัสมิ์ ทองสลวยกร)

Deputy Government Spokesperson who announced the Cabinet's resolution.

Policy

Lower Eastern Chao Phraya Irrigation System Improvement Project(โครงการปรับปรุงระบบชลประทานเจ้าพระยาฝั่งตะวันออกตอนล่าง)

A 95,000 million baht project to manage floods and droughts in 8 provinces.