Farmers living downstream of Ban Bo creek in Ratchaburi have still encountered water shortages after another two resorts have been found illegally diverting water from the local creek, forcing them to buy water for their plantations.
About 500 householders say Suan Phung Resort is diverting water from the creek, leaving only small amounts of it flowing to their villages.
Local authorities mounted inspections of the area last week, and brought in the army to install pumps.
However, locals say they have discovered another two resorts are also pilfering the local water supply, and the army's initial remedial response is unlikely to do the trick.
The army's Engineer Department on Sunday installed three pumps to draw water from the resort-built channel and divert it back into the creek.
The other two resorts are built close to the Suan Phung Resort in Suan Phung district, which is currently being probed for forest encroachment. The resort was seized by authorities on Nov 20 last year.
The channel is needed as evidence in the case and so cannot be demolished during the investigation.
Authorities believe the upper part of the resort's compound was illegally acquired as it sits on part of a forest.
Ratchaburi governor Suraphon Sawaengsak said he had hoped the joint effort with the army on Sunday could help the villagers who need water for their farms and daily consumption, but more illegal water diversions may require another solution.
The pumps can be currently used for only two hours a day as officers need to wait for more water from the mountain nearby, which feeds the local creek.
Rawi Bunloet, a villager in tambon Suan Phung, said water supplies to his neighbourhood have improved thanks to the pumps, but there is still not enough. Some farmers will need to buy water for their vegetable plantations if the problem persists.
In tambon Tanaosi, asparagus farmer Sombat Yaemsawat had to pay 500 baht to hire a water truck to water his four rai of land. He is not sure how much longer he can keep paying to bring in water and hopes for a solution soon.