Cabinet approves Sirikit Dam and Chao Phraya irrigation projects

Thairath•Politics•1d ago

Reader Briefing

The Cabinet approved the improvement of Sirikit Dam's fourth hydroelectric unit and the lower eastern Chao Phraya irrigation system.

•The Cabinet approved a 2,088.56 million baht investment for the Sirikit Dam Hydroelectric Power Plant Unit 4 improvement project.
•The Cabinet approved the Lower Eastern Chao Phraya Irrigation System Improvement Project with a budget of 95,000 million baht.
•The irrigation project covers 8 provinces in the Chao Phraya basin over a 6-year period from fiscal years 2027-2032.
•The announcement was made on September 15, 2026 by government spokespersons.

•The Cabinet approved the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) to implement the Sirikit Dam Hydroelectric Power Plant Unit 4 improvement project with an investment of 2,088.56 million baht.
•Sirikit Dam Unit 4 has been in use for approximately 31 years as of 2026, and its power generation equipment is deteriorating below safety standards.
•The Sirikit Dam improvement will increase annual electricity production from 242.42 million units to 251.28 million units and extend the plant's lifespan by at least 30 years.
•The Cabinet approved the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, via the Royal Irrigation Department, to implement the Lower Eastern Chao Phraya Irrigation System Improvement Project.
•The Lower Eastern Chao Phraya Irrigation System Improvement Project has a total budget of 95,000 million baht, consisting of 76,507.29 million baht in loans and 18,492.71 million baht from the annual budget.
•The Lower Eastern Chao Phraya Irrigation System Improvement Project will be implemented over 6 years, from fiscal years 2027 to 2032.
•The irrigation project covers 22 main canals and 23 water control buildings across 8 provinces to reduce annual flood damage by an average of 10 billion baht.
•The irrigation project's first phase, costing 40,507 million baht, will prioritize dredging canals such as Raphiphat Canal to drain water directly into the Gulf of Thailand.

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Cabinet(ครม.)

The government body that approved the hydroelectric and irrigation projects.

Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand(การไฟฟ้าฝ่ายผลิตแห่งประเทศไทย)ℹ️

The organization responsible for the Sirikit Dam Hydroelectric Power Plant Unit 4 improvement project.

EGAT(กฟผ.)ℹ️

Abbreviation for the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand.

Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives(กระทรวงเกษตรและสหกรณ์)

The ministry approved to implement the Lower Eastern Chao Phraya Irrigation System Improvement Project.

Royal Irrigation Department(กรมชลประทาน)

The department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives tasked with the irrigation improvement project.

Sirikit Dam(เขื่อนสิริกิติ์)ℹ️

A multipurpose dam located in Tha Pla District, Uttaradit Province, used for water management and power generation.

Chao Phraya Basin(ลุ่มน้ำเจ้าพระยา)

The region facing chronic flooding and drought addressed by the irrigation improvement project.

Saraburi(สระบุรี)ℹ️