Capital has enough tap water until July, PM says

Capital has enough tap water until July, PM says

A man drinks water from a free public station in Bangkok. (Bangkok Post file photo)
A man drinks water from a free public station in Bangkok. (Bangkok Post file photo)

There will be enough water for tap water production in Bangkok and surrounding areas until July, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday.

Speaking at Government House, Gen Prayut said the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority has assured him there is sufficient water to keep tap water flowing for the next five months.

However, the premier urged the public to use water sparingly as stocks in the main dams were still low.

He said the government has come up with ways of conserving water in the event stocks prove to be inadequate elsewhere over the next few months.  

The government has approved a budget to encourage farmers to grow crops which rely on less water than rice. Gen Prayut said the government will not be held responsible for any losses incurred by farmers should they stick to rice farming.

He said Thailand has 147 million rai of farmland, but only 30% of which is located in irrigation areas. Both large- and small-scale rainfall catchment areas have been built, while artesian wells were also drilled for agricultural and consumption purposes.

Main dams and catchments nationwide were also expected to conserve a large amount of water during the next rainy season, the prime minister said.

On drought measures, Gen Prayut said a database on national water sources would be used to determine how much they recede each year to devise suitable measures to alleviate and address droughts.

Farming had to be adaptable to suit specific weather, landscapes and soil conditions in each province, he added.

Meanwhile, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Gen Chatchai Sarikulya yesterday said the government will weaken tap pressure in five districts to save water.  

The five districts are Phetchabun's Chon Daen district, Nakhon Ratchasima's Phimai district, Chon Buri's Phanat Nikhom district, Suphan Buri's Si Prachan district and Ratchaburi's Suan Phung district.

Water will be discharged according to a daily schedule in Tha Tako district in Nakhon Sawan, Nong Rua district in Khon Kaen, Pak Thong Chai district in Nakhon Ratchasima and Kantang district in Trang.

Gen Chatchai said salt water intrusion in Chachoengsao's Bang Khla and Bang Pakong districts was being closely monitored.

Districts facing severe water shortages are Pak Thong Chai in Nakhorn Ratchasima and Kantang in Trang, he said. The ministry is working with the army to ensure water distribution in these areas, he added.

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