Deputy Prime Minister Ekniti monitored the water situation in Pathum Thani by visiting the Pak Khlong Rangsit watergate, issuing directives to prepare for a new monsoon, and arranging a joint meeting of three sectors to establish unified water management strategies.
4 Oct 2026 GMT+7 Mr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, visited the watergate and semi-permanent pumping station at Pak Khlong Rangsit, Ban Mai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Pathum Thani Province, to monitor water levels and drainage from Rangsit Prayurasak Canal into the Chao Phraya River. He was briefed on the situation by Mr. Weerawat Phasomsap, Director of the Rangsit Tai Water Delivery and Maintenance Project. Also present were Ms. Thaniya Naipinit, Governor of Pathum Thani; Police Lieutenant General Kamronwit Thupkrajong, President of the Pathum Thani Provincial Administrative Organization; deputy governor, provincial secretary, Mueang Pathum Thani District Chief, Pathum Thani Disaster Prevention and Mitigation official, Mr. Sombun Panyoi, Mayor of Ban Mai Subdistrict Municipality, and other relevant officials who welcomed and reported on the situation.
Mr. Ekniti stated that today he was assigned by Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul to follow up on the water situation in Pathum Thani Province to prepare for the new wave of rain. He held discussions with the governors of Nakhon Nayok and Pathum Thani to hear problems and solutions. Currently, the main issue arises from water flowing from Nakhon Nayok Province, while the upstream water situation remains stable without severe impacts.
Previously, Pathum Thani requested small or high-capacity water pumps to assist drainage. The government has now provided additional pumps to help residents, especially in alleys still flooded. He emphasized that the provincial governor must prioritize public care. The government will coordinate with local agencies to understand needs and offer urgent assistance, while the Royal Irrigation Department accelerates water drainage and diversion from flooded areas to reduce impact.
Regarding affected residents in Ongkharak District and Khlong 12, with proposals to divert some water to the Rangsit side, Mr. Ekniti said, it is necessary to manage water holistically across the entire system since Rangsit also receives water from Ongkharak and Nakhon Nayok, while Bangkok still faces flooding issues. Therefore, a joint meeting of three sectors is planned within 1-2 days to set a unified water management approach. This must consider the entire system from upstream to downstream, not just isolated areas, including accelerating drainage in downstream areas like Samut Prakan Province. He stressed all agencies must prepare to face the incoming new monsoon.
At the same time, he ordered coordination with the Electricity Authority to prepare backup generators because previous power outages reduced pump efficiency, potentially delaying problem resolution. Backup systems must be ready in case of electrical failures.
The Deputy Prime Minister concluded, that this field visit allowed him to see the real situation and immediately issue directives for problem-solving. He thanked the provincial governor, the provincial administrative organization president, the Royal Irrigation Department, and all sectors working together to help people during this challenging flood period, emphasizing the need for cooperation to overcome the crisis. .
