Cabinet approves B160bn flood mitigation project

Canal expansion to divert more water from Chai Nat via Pasak River

Thailand’s Cabinet on Tuesday approved a 160-billion-baht project to divert water from Chai Nat through the Pasak River towards the Gulf of Thailand as a long-term solution to recurring flood problems in Bangkok and the central region.

Speaking after the cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the eight-year megaproject would increase drainage capacity and alleviate the burden on the Chao Phraya River.

It will also enhance flood prevention effectiveness across the Central region, including Bangkok and surrounding areas, while serving as a natural water retention area to store water for use during dry seasons, Mr Anutin added.

The project calls for the Chai Nat-Pasak canal, which originates just upstream of the Chao Phraya dam in Chai Nat, to be expanded to four times its current size. This would increase its capacity to divert water towards the Pasak River, through the Rapipat drainage canal and Rangsit in Pathum Thani, before discharging it into the Gulf.

The project also calls for a drainage canal in the Bang Ban-Bang Sai area of Ayutthaya and the 90-billion-baht “second Chao Phraya” project, intended to divert excess water away from Bangkok.

Budgetary details for the project will be finalised following discussions among the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council, the Budget Bureau and the Ministry of Finance.

Funding may involve a combination of direct budget allocations and loans, though specific loan sources remain under consideration.

In addition to the long-term infrastructure plan, the cabinet approved immediate relief measures for flood victims, allocating more than 4 billion baht from the central reserve budget to address flood issues nationwide.

Under the relief framework, financial aid of 9,000 baht per household will be disbursed in accordance with established criteria and legal regulations, requiring local agencies to submit data for review.

At ​least ​23 ‌people have been killed ​across Thailand, ⁠including four ‌in Bangkok, ⁠as a result of heavy rains and ​floods in 42 ​provinces ‌since Sept 16, ​the ⁠Interior ⁠Ministry said on Tuesday.