Thailand Approves $23 Million for Southern Flood Recovery, Repairing Irrigation Systems

The Thai cabinet has approved a budget of 843.26 million baht (approximately $23 million) from the emergency reserve fund for the repair and restoration of irrigation facilities and related infrastructure in five southern provinces that were damaged by floods last year. The budget will be allocated to the Royal Irrigation Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, and will be used for a total of 67 projects in Songkhla, Satun, Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat provinces. Specific projects include the repair of drainage canals in Songkhla, the repair of royal-initiated drainage canals in Satun, excavation work in Yala, the repair of major irrigation canals in Pattani, and the repair of water control structures and related facilities in Narathiwat. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha instructed relevant agencies to ensure the budget is used efficiently and effectively for its intended purpose. He also emphasized the need for prompt completion of restoration work, prioritizing the early benefits to the public. This measure aims to ensure a stable supply of agricultural water and enhance resilience against future flood damage in the southern region of Thailand. The area, facing the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, is susceptible to seasonal monsoons and has experienced frequent flood damage in the past. This budget allocation is a crucial step towards early recovery of the regional economy and stabilization of residents' lives through the restoration of damaged infrastructure. Source: INN News