Songsak explained the rumors about the Chao Phraya Dam increasing water release to 2,500 cubic meters per second. He acknowledged the Royal Irrigation Department did request this amount, but approval was granted only for 2,200 cubic meters per second. He confirmed the release will proceed gradually in steps to reduce impact.
30 Sep 2026 GMT+7 Deputy Prime Minister Songsak Thongsri, who oversees the National Water Resources Office (NWRO), addressed the confusion regarding circulated information about the Chao Phraya Dam water release in Chainat Province being at 2,500 cubic meters per second. He said that as of noon today, the Royal Irrigation Department did submit this request to the meeting, but it was approved only at 2,200 cubic meters per second. He affirmed that there is a set criterion for such requests since water volumes from the north and excess flow into the central region must be calculated.
Songsak added that the meeting agreed the water release must proceed gradually in steps because Bangkok is currently expediting water discharge to the sea to maximize drainage time. The upper water release will then be gradually introduced to replace this, thereby reducing impact.