Bangkok: The government is accelerating the expansion of water projects in response to a royal initiative, aiming to solve drought problems nationwide and enhance the efficiency of the energy system to support future community expansion.
According to Thai News Agency, Prime Minister Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra highlighted the urgency of water management after visiting two significant groundwater supply projects in Kanchanaburi Province. She emphasized the need for sufficient allocation of water resources for both the agricultural and industrial sectors, as well as the necessity to improve the water supply system, which remains insufficient in many areas.
The groundwater supply projects in Ban Pak Chat Nong Bua, Lao Khwan District, and Ban Nong Bua Hing, Huai Krachao District, serve as exemplary models of water management under the royal initiative. These projects take into account local conditions and community needs, featuring water pumping systems, storage tanks, distribution points, and pipe systems. Additionally, the creation of an underground water bank supports water retention and helps reduce soil subsidence while increasing the availability of underground water.
The King has endorsed 15 large-scale groundwater projects as royal initiatives across 11 provinces. This year, over 16,000 people or nearly 5,000 households in Kanchanaburi have benefited, significantly reducing water purchase costs by 2,000 baht per month per household. In agriculture, the projects have boosted water production capacity to 6,400 cubic meters per day, benefitting more than 1,000 rai of agricultural land.
In alignment with the royal initiative, the government plans to expand these projects nationwide, while enhancing energy system efficiency and preparing for future community growth. This strategy also aims to maintain groundwater resource balance over the long term.
In the short term, the government has allocated funds under an economic stimulus program to alleviate water scarcity, create water management infrastructure, and improve the quality of water resources comprehensively.
Water is not merely an infrastructure challenge but a vital aspect of daily life, and the government is committed to overseeing these developments to the best of its ability.