Nakhon chai si: Lt. Col. Thammanat Prompao, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, has approved a budget of 20 million baht for the construction of a water gate and pumping station at Huai Phlu Hospital to tackle chronic flooding issues. The decision was made during an inspection tour of the Nakhon Chai Si District in Nakhon Pathom Province, where he and his delegation evaluated the ongoing irrigation construction projects.
According to Thai News Agency, Lt. Col. Thammanat was accompanied by key officials, including Mr. Atthakorn Sirilathayakorn, Minister of Tourism and Sports; Mr. Amin Mayuso, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives; Mr. Winaroj Sapphasuk, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives; and Mr. Det Lekwichai, Deputy Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department. The group assessed the construction site of the Tha Chin River water gate project linked to the Huai Phlu Hospital water pumping canal before visiting Wat Mai Sukonthararam to inspect another water gate project at Khlong Phra Noi.
During his visit, Lt. Col. Thammanat also met with local residents, distributing relief bags to those affected by flooding. He discussed his recent trip to Chongqing, China, where he negotiated market openings for agricultural products like pomelos, fragrant coconuts, and orchids, aiming to boost farmers’ income in Nakhon Pathom.
Lt. Col. Thammanat emphasized the urgency of the Huai Phlu Hospital floodgate and pumping station project, assuring that construction would commence promptly after finalizing designs in December. He highlighted that the project, long demanded by the public, is essential for providing a sustainable solution to the area’s persistent flooding problems.
Addressing water management, Lt. Col. Thammanat mentioned the role of the Royal Irrigation Department’s intelligent water management center, which facilitates nationwide command and control. He stressed the importance of accurate data in managing water resources effectively and avoiding future uncertainties.
Furthermore, Lt. Col. Thammanat discussed the shallowing of tributaries, indicating collaboration with the Marine Department and the Ministry of Transport. He assured that once the Ministry of Transport hands over the area, the Royal Irrigation Department, in cooperation with the Army Engineer Unit, would commence dredging operations to address the issue.