The number of drought-hit provinces has more than halved after rain made an appearance in the upper North and Northeast, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said Sunday.
Department chief Chatchai Promlert said 40 provinces were reported as drought-hit until the weekend, when welcome rain eased the situation in 27 provinces.
A Meteorological Department report issued Sunday morning said a monsoon trough lies across Myanmar, Laos and upper Vietnam, declining to a low pressure cell in the Gulf of Tonkin which is causing rainfall in the upper North and Northeast.
Mr Chatchai said drought still prevails in 5,035 villages of 525 tambons in 90 districts of 13 provinces, or about 6.72% of all villages in the country.
The 13 provinces where drought still persists are Nakhon Sawan, Phitsanulok, Tak, Nan, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, Amnat Charoen, Surin, Saraburi, Lop Buri, Ratchaburi and Sa Kaeo.
The military and state agencies have launched relief measures including distribution of water for consumption and agriculture, dredging water resources, digging artesian wells, rainmaking operations and selling low-priced goods to help consumers.
The weather forecast also said a strong southwest monsoon prevails over the Andaman Sea, the South and the Gulf of Thailand with more rain likely over the western parts of the Central and South regions.
Waves in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand are likely to reach 2-3 metres. All ships should proceed with caution and small boats stay ashore until July 11, it said.
Meanwhile, an opinion survey conducted by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University — the Suan Dusit Poll — has revealed drought is the number one news item currently occupying the public interest, followed by the student protests.
The poll was carried out between June 29 and Saturday among 1,468 people nationwide.
The 10 issues currently in the news which have taken the public interest are:
No.1 — the drought, which has had a considerable impact on the economy.
No.2 — the student protests, which have sparked political stirrings that affect the image of the government and the country. The respondents want to know the truth behind these activities.
No.3 — the high price of goods, which affect daily life and the public's livelihood. They want the government to solve the problem as soon as possible.
No.4 — the draft constitution. Thais want the country to be peaceful and properous without quarrels. They want democracy to return as soon as possible so people can enjoy equal rights and liberties.
No.5 — the murder of business tycoon Somyos Suthangkura.
No.6 — news on the election. People believe that with an election, democracy will return and they will be able to elect politicians they like to parliament.
Respondents are also interested in Greece's debt situation, crime stories, Siam Commercial Bank's dispute with the tertiary sector, and public debt.
