Suriya visited the Sam Phrao watergate in Udon Thani Province to solve flooding and drought problems through integrated water management. He instructed all agencies to work together, emphasized the need to listen to local residents, and urged the Royal Irrigation Department to enhance the efficiency of water discharge systems.
25 May 2026 GMT+7 Mr. Suriya Juangroongruangkit, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, revealed after visiting the site to monitor water management conditions and hear concerns from the local people at the Sam Phrao watergate, Sam Phrao Subdistrict, Mueang Udon Thani District, Udon Thani Province. Accompanying him were Mr. Watcharapol Khaokham, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, along with executives and representatives from government and local agencies. He stated that the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives places great importance on systematic water management in Udon Thani Province, especially in Sam Phrao Subdistrict, which connects urban communities, educational institutions, agricultural areas, and new development zones of the province. This directly affects the quality of life, income, and security of local residents and farmers.
“Today, what I am here to observe is not just the construction project of the watergate but the promotion of security for Udon Thani Province, agricultural sector stability, and the livelihoods of the people. Therefore, water management in the area must not be designed solely by the central authority but must also incorporate information from residents, local leaders, and farmers in the community.”
According to reports from the Royal Irrigation Department, the water management system at Ban Sam Phrao weir has limitations because it is an overflow weir that cannot efficiently control water opening and closing. This causes slow drainage during floods, affecting Udon Thani city and surrounding agricultural areas. During the dry season, there is a need for sufficient water storage systems for consumption, domestic use, and agriculture. Hence, current water management approaches must not only address immediate problems but also establish a system covering drainage, storage, and allocation while using data to effectively manage situations in advance.
Mr. Suriya added that the Royal Irrigation Department has proposed a development plan for water management in the area, preparing to request a budget of approximately 800 million baht for 2028-2029. This includes: 1. a water pumping station construction project with a budget of about 500 million baht, and 2. a semi-weir watergate construction project with a budget of about 300 million baht, aiming to improve water level control, floodwater discharge, and water storage during the dry season.
“The project to enhance the water discharge efficiency of Ban Sam Phrao watergate aims primarily to reduce flood risks in Udon Thani city and its surrounding areas while increasing water storage capacity for use in the dry season. This supports agriculture, communities, and long-term urban growth.”
Additionally, the Minister of Agriculture instructed the Royal Irrigation Department to expedite surveys, design work, and budget proposals to meet the 2028-2029 budget cycle. He also included local residents’ requests to dredge Lam Huai Luang and Lam Huai Suang Ruang streams, as well as expand Ban Mad bridge to improve water discharge efficiency. The department was assigned to design and consider incorporating these plans at the earliest opportunity. He emphasized that designs must integrate the entire system, not only focusing on construction points but also considering flood prevention, water storage for dry seasons, and overall water management to support agricultural areas and the Huai Luang river basin.
Furthermore, the Minister emphasized that the Royal Irrigation Department should coordinate with Udon Thani Province, local administrative organizations, community leaders, and residents, who best understand the issues. This is to ensure that operations truly meet local needs. He also instructed continuous communication of water situation updates and management plans to the public, especially before the rainy and dry seasons, so that residents and farmers can prepare and reduce risks promptly. Simultaneously, he ordered all Ministry of Agriculture agencies in Udon Thani to integrate their work and continuously monitor progress for effectiveness and responsiveness to local farmers’ needs.
“I want to reiterate that Sam Phrao Subdistrict is crucial for Udon Thani city and the province’s agricultural sector. Delays in implementation could lead to recurring flood and drought risks, primarily affecting local residents and farmers. Therefore, all agencies should regard this as a critical mission, acting swiftly but carefully, efficiently, and ensuring tangible benefits for the people.”
Mr. Suriya also stated that Udon Thani Province has high potential in agriculture, commerce, and as a key northeastern hub. With an efficient water management system using data and technology, combined with market-driven production approaches, he believes Udon Thani can advance from a basic agricultural producer to a high-value agricultural area in the future.
“The government and Ministry of Agriculture have a duty to support farmers, not just by providing aid during crises but by building systems that empower farmers with stable incomes and adaptability to long-term changes. I assure the people that all feedback received today will drive prompt, concrete action by the Ministry, which will stand alongside the people to jointly develop Thailand’s agricultural sector with security and elevate farmers’ quality of life toward sustainable prosperity.”
