Suriya has ordered an adjustment of the proactive water management plan, emphasizing close monitoring of the Chao Phraya River amid increased rainfall, with the highest priority on the safety and welfare of the public, alongside flood prevention and mitigation measures.
On 27 Sep 2026 GMT+7, Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, revealed after a meeting to follow up on the water situation and management strategies for the Chao Phraya River basin at the Khlong Lat Pho Royal Initiative Drainage Gate project in Samut Prakan Province, that Thailand has been influenced by multiple monsoon troughs and southwest monsoon waves during September. This has caused continuous heavy rainfall in many areas, resulting in flash floods, river overflows, and flooding in several low-lying regions. Although many areas have begun to recover to normal conditions, some locations, especially low-lying and main riverbank areas, still require close monitoring. He has instructed the Royal Irrigation Department, as directed by the Prime Minister, to closely monitor weather and water situations nationwide, focusing on risk areas, and to maintain readiness 24 hours a day with personnel, machinery, equipment, and irrigation systems.
"Information from all sectors must be continuously analyzed and assessed to adjust water management plans appropriately for each area's situation. For flood-affected areas, machinery and equipment must be deployed swiftly to drain water. In the Chao Phraya basin, the upper areas should be managed to accommodate water, using irrigation systems on both the east and west sides of the Chao Phraya River to distribute and drain water between areas to full capacity. Coordination and continuous on-site monitoring are essential, alongside giving importance to agricultural and economic areas in parallel with water management to minimize damage to the population," said Suriya. Mr. Suriya stated.
He further said that efforts should be accelerated to remove water obstructions, inspect irrigation structures and pumping stations to ensure operational readiness, and utilize the Khlong Lat Pho Royal Initiative Drainage Gate, pumping stations, and additional pumps to expedite drainage into main watercourses and the Gulf of Thailand in alignment with tide cycles. He also emphasized ongoing public communication and alerts about the water situation to enable timely preparedness.
"Water management must be conducted carefully and balanced, prioritizing the safety and well-being of the public alongside flood prevention and mitigation, water storage for dry periods, and reducing impacts on agricultural areas. All agencies are urged to work proactively, conduct on-site actions, and be ready to assist the public, especially in risk areas, to protect citizens, minimize damage, and alleviate hardship as much as possible," Suriya reiterated.
Meanwhile, Mr. Witthaya Kaewmee, Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department, added that the Chao Phraya basin is currently receiving continuous inflow from upper areas. Coupled with anticipated increased rainfall in the central region, close monitoring is necessary because additional rain could raise water volumes in the river and water levels downstream of dams.
"The Royal Irrigation Department has planned ahead for water management by delaying water in upper areas and distributing it into irrigation systems on both east and west sides according to local capacity, alongside managing discharge through Chao Phraya dams appropriately to prevent excessive downstream flow. Efforts are ongoing to accelerate drainage downstream through irrigation structures, pumping stations, and the Khlong Lat Pho Royal Initiative Drainage Gate to the Gulf of Thailand to reduce water volume as quickly as possible," said Witthaya.