The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority will provide tap water free of charge for Bangkok households that use no more than five cubic metres of water per month, MWA governor Thanasak Watanathana said on Monday.
He said it was a gift to mark Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year.
Mr Thanasak said the MWA had charged this group of small users in the past because it needed the revenue to fund expansion of the tap water supply.
With improved management the MWA had become more efficient and could afford to provide free water to households that use less than five cubic metres of water per month, starting April 1. This would cost the MWA about 90 million baht a year in lost revenue, he said. There are about 260,000 users in this category.
People who want more information can call the hotline 1125 around the clock.
MWA deputy governor Witthaya Inthachit said the agency has a two-year project to lay a new 5.5-kilometre water main along outbound Ekachai Road from Kanchanapisek Road to Khlong Bang Ranae at a cost of 248 million baht.
Construction was about 36% completed, he said.
The work is being carried out at night, from 10pm to 5am, to cause the least problem for traffic, he said.