RID launches nationwide water hyacinth removal campaign

MGR Online•Politics•4d ago

Reader Briefing

The Royal Irrigation Department launched a nationwide campaign to remove water hyacinths and obstacles to improve water management efficiency.

•Director General Witaya Kaewmee presided over the kick-off event on August 22, 2026, at the Utokawiphachprasit Diversion Gate in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
•The campaign involves 17 irrigation offices across Thailand to continuously clear water hyacinths and aquatic weeds.
•The Royal Irrigation Department is utilizing high-potential machinery and environmentally safe chemical mixtures for removal.
•In the Pak Phanang basin, water hyacinth volume in irrigation waterways is approximately 920,000 tons, with total accumulation estimated at 1.2 million tons.

•On August 22, 2026, Witaya Kaewmee presided over the kick-off activity at the Utokawiphachprasit Diversion Gate in Pak Phanang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat.
•The Royal Irrigation Department is executing the removal of water hyacinths and waterway obstacles across 17 irrigation offices nationwide.
•Witaya Kaewmee stated that water hyacinths obstruct water flow, hinder agricultural water delivery, impede drainage during flood seasons, and affect water quality and ecosystems.
•The Royal Irrigation Department is applying a proactive approach using high-potential machinery and environmentally safe chemical mixtures to reduce hyacinth accumulation.
•Irrigation Office 15 tested the SWP.62- RID chemical mixture in 11 plots in the Pak Phanang basin from April 7, 2026, to the present, resulting in natural drying of the plants.
•In the Pak Phanang basin, there are 673 canals totaling approximately 1,800 kilometers, with 349 canals under the responsibility of the Royal Irrigation Department.
•Estimated water hyacinth volume in Pak Phanang irrigation waterways is 920,000 tons, with an estimated total of 1.2 million tons including natural canals.
•Witaya Kaewmee instructed all agencies to continue removal operations at full capacity while prioritizing worker safety.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Witaya Kaewmee(วิทยา แก้วมี)

Director General of the Royal Irrigation Department.

Surapong Charoenkaranyont(สุรพงศ์ เจริญการยนต์)

Director of Irrigation Office 15.

Royal Irrigation Department(กรมชลประทาน)

The government agency responsible for water management and the removal of waterway obstacles.

Irrigation Office 15(สำนักงานชลประทานที่ 15)

The irrigation office responsible for the Pak Phanang basin area.

Utokawiphachprasit Diversion Gate(ประตูระบายน้ำอุทกวิภาชประสิทธิ)

The location in Pak Phanang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat, where the kick-off event was held.

Pak Phanang District(อำเภอปากพนัง)ℹ️

The district in Nakhon Si Thammarat province where the event took place.

Nakhon Si Thammarat Province(จังหวัดนครศรีธรรมราช)ℹ️

The province where the event took place.

Pak Phanang Basin(ลุ่มน้ำปากพนัง)

The river basin area where water hyacinth removal trials and operations were conducted.