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Thailand Drought Risk: Usable Water 38%, Heavy Rain Monitored May 30-June 1, 2026

Thailand Drought Risk: Usable Water 38%, Heavy Rain Monitored May 30-June 1, 2026

Matichon•Economy•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Thailand faces a significant drought risk as usable water reserves drop to 38%, with heavy rainfall anticipated between May 30 and June 1, 2026.

  • •Nationwide usable water reserves stand at a critical 38% of storage capacity.
  • •Heavy rainfall is forecast for Thailand from May 30 to June 1, 2026.
  • •Various regions are at risk of heavy rain during May 29 - June 1, 2026.
  • •The Department of Royal Irrigation is undertaking measures to manage flood risks.
  • •The announcement was made by the Office of the National Water Resources on May 29.

Overview

  • •On May 29, 2026, the Office of the National Water Resources reported that nationwide usable water reserves are at 38% of storage capacity, indicating a drought crisis risk.
  • •Heavy rainfall is forecast for Thailand between May 30 - June 1, 2026, due to the monsoon trough and strengthening southwest monsoon.
  • •The Office of the National Water Resources has issued a warning for areas at risk of heavy rain from May 29 - June 1, 2026.
  • •The Department of Royal Irrigation is implementing 9 measures to prepare for the rainy season of 2026, including clearing water obstructions and weeds, in order to enhance drainage efficiency.
  • •The announcement on May 29, 2026, by the Office of the National Water Resources, detailed the current water situation across different regions of Thailand.
  • •The total usable water volume is 38% (21,349 million cubic meters), with regional variations such as the Central region having only 31% usable water.
  • •The southwest monsoon is blowing strongly over the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, combined with a trough moving over upper Laos towards a low-pressure area in the South China Sea, leading to increased rainfall.
  • •Areas identified at risk of heavy rain include Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Tak, Ubon Ratchathani, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Ranong, Phang Nga, Surat Thani, and Krabi.

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Key Entities

Organization

Office of the National Water Resources(สำนักงานทรัพยากรน้ำแห่งชาติ)
An organization that summarizes the national water situation and issues warnings regarding potential heavy rainfall.
Department of Royal Irrigation(กรมชลประทาน)
An organization preparing for the rainy season by clearing obstructions and weeds to improve drainage efficiency.

Place

Lamphun Province(จ.ลำพูน)ℹ️
A province in the Northern region where the highest rainfall was recorded at 116 mm.
Khon Kaen Province(จ.ขอนแก่น)ℹ️
A province in the Northeast region that recorded the highest rainfall at 116 mm.
Suphan Buri Province(จ.สุพรรณบุรี)ℹ️
A province in the Central region that recorded rainfall of 48 mm.
Prachinburi Province(จ.ปราจีนบุรี)ℹ️
A province in the Eastern region that recorded rainfall of 36 mm.
Kanchanaburi Province(จ.กาญจนบุรี)ℹ️
A province in the Western region that recorded rainfall of 48 mm and is at risk of heavy rain.
Trang Province(จ.ตรัง)ℹ️
A province in the Southern region that recorded the highest rainfall at 115 mm.
Andaman Sea(ทะเลอันดามัน)ℹ️
A body of water that the strong southwest monsoon is currently covering.
Thailand(ประเทศไทย)ℹ️
The country facing a drought crisis and expected to receive increased rainfall.
Gulf of Thailand(อ่าวไทย)ℹ️
A body of water that the strong southwest monsoon is currently covering.
Upper Laos(ลาวตอนบน)ℹ️
An area where the monsoon trough is passing over.
Western coast of the Southern region(ภาคใต้ฝั่งตะวันตก)
An area in the Southern region expected to experience some heavy rainfall.
Chiang Mai Province(จังหวัดเชียงใหม่)ℹ️
A province identified as being at risk of heavy rain.
Chiang Rai Province(จังหวัดเชียงราย)ℹ️
A province identified as being at risk of heavy rain.
Tak Province(จังหวัดตาก)ℹ️
A province identified as being at risk of heavy rain.
Ubon Ratchathani Province(จังหวัดอุบลราชธานี)ℹ️
A province identified as being at risk of heavy rain.
Rayong Province(จังหวัดระยอง)ℹ️
A province identified as being at risk of heavy rain.
Chanthaburi Province(จังหวัดจันทบุรี)ℹ️
A province identified as being at risk of heavy rain.
Trat Province(จังหวัดตราด)ℹ️
A province identified as being at risk of heavy rain.
Ratchaburi Province(จังหวัดราชบุรี)ℹ️
A province identified as being at risk of heavy rain.
Ranong Province(จังหวัดระนอง)ℹ️
A province identified as being at risk of heavy rain.
Phang Nga Province(จังหวัดพังงา)ℹ️
A province identified as being at risk of heavy rain.
Surat Thani Province(จังหวัดสุราษฎร์ธานี)ℹ️
A province identified as being at risk of heavy rain.
Krabi Province(จังหวัดกระบี่)ℹ️
A province identified as being at risk of heavy rain.
Lopburi Province(จังหวัดลพบุรี)ℹ️
A province where the Department of Royal Irrigation is clearing weeds and obstructions in canals to improve water flow.
Nong Tao Subdistrict, Ban Mi District(ต.หนองเต่า อ.บ้านหมี่)
A subdistrict and district in Lopburi Province where canal clearing operations are underway.
Drainage Canal 7 Left(คลองระบาย 7 ซ้าย)
A drainage canal in Nong Tao Subdistrict, Ban Mi District, Lopburi Province, where weeding is being done to facilitate water flow.
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province(จังหวัดพระนครศรีอยุธยา)ℹ️
A province where the Department of Royal Irrigation is clearing weeds and water hyacinths from important canals.
Pathum Thani Province(จังหวัดปทุมธานี)ℹ️
A province where the Department of Royal Irrigation is clearing weeds and water hyacinths from important canals.
Phai Phra Subdistrict, Bang Sai District(ต.ไผ่พระ อ.บางไทร)
A subdistrict and district in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province where water hyacinth removal is occurring.
Phai Phra Canal(คลองไผ่พระ)
A canal in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province where water hyacinth removal is underway.
Khlong Song Subdistrict, Khlong Luang District(ต.คลองสอง อ.คลองหลวง)
A subdistrict and district in Pathum Thani Province where water hyacinth removal is occurring.
Raphiphat Canal(คลองระพีพัฒน์)
A canal in Pathum Thani Province that is important for navigation and water management, currently undergoing water hyacinth removal.

Law

9 measures to cope with the rainy season of 2026(9 มาตรการรับมือฤดูฝน ปี 2026)
A set of measures implemented by the Department of Royal Irrigation to manage flood risks and enhance drainage efficiency.