“Suriya” , led a team to Chiang Rai to tackle flood and drought problems, pushing for the construction of the Rong Pao water gate and ordering Royal Rainmaking operations to fight PM 2.5, aiming to sustainably enhance farmers' quality of life.
Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, together with Mr. Julapan Amornwiwat, Minister of Labour, and Ms. Piyaratch Tiyapairat, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, visited to monitor water management and the progress of the Rong Pao water gate construction project, while hearing concerns from local farmers. The event was attended by executives and representatives from government and local agencies at Siriwat Building, Pa Ngae Subdistrict, Pa Daet District, Chiang Rai Province.
Mr. Suriya said the government prioritizes field visits because good policies start with listening to the people, and solving real problems requires concrete action. The Ministry of Agriculture is fully committed to supporting farmers through water management, cost reduction, increased production, product quality improvement, and market opportunities, so farmers have stable incomes and better living standards. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labour will support skill development and labor security to advance public quality of life together.
Listening to the problems, it was found that the existing Rong Pao weir has deteriorated due to water erosion, reducing water management efficiency. Farmers requested support for a water gate project with a water delivery system.
According to the Royal Irrigation Department, this project is included in the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) plan for 2028. It involves building a water gate with a 34-kilometer water delivery system, which, upon completion, will improve water management efficiency and benefit over 18,700 rai of farmland.
The team then traveled to Muang Phan Municipality, Phan District, Chiang Rai, to receive complaints from farmers requesting government development of water sources to address drought during the dry season and mitigate floods during the rainy season. Important projects the Royal Irrigation Department plans to push include:
The construction of the Mae Nad water gate with a water delivery system, supporting over 800 rai of agricultural land.
Improvement of the water delivery system in Canal Soi 3La-RMC (San Klang Subdistrict) to increase efficiency covering 1,650 rai.
Construction of water delivery canals and overflow weirs (Tan Tawan Subdistrict) to store, distribute water, and prevent repeated flooding.
Mr. Suriya also stated that after hearing the problems and needs of the people, he assigned all agencies to expedite water management and Royal Rainmaking operations. He ordered the Royal Irrigation Department to accelerate water source development projects, including water gates and delivery systems, alongside dredging and clearing waterway obstructions to enhance water management efficiency and help alleviate floods and droughts, ensuring water security for agriculture and consumption.
Furthermore, the Minister of Agriculture ordered the Royal Rainmaking Department to continuously monitor weather conditions and proactively conduct operations to increase water reserves, relieve drought, and reduce impacts from forest fires, haze, and PM2.5 dust. He urged all agencies to integrate their work and speed up projects so that the public benefits promptly.
“Water management is a critical element for agricultural development. The Ministry of Agriculture prioritizes a comprehensive water management system to improve water storage, distribution, and disaster prevention. The proposals from the people are vital data driving government efforts. I assure that the ministry will expedite solving all problems to ensure farmers have water all year round, leading to stable occupations, sufficient incomes, and sustainably improved quality of life,” Mr. Suriya concluded.
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