The government will spend part of the revenue from the fourth-generation (4G) spectrum auction to finance the country's agricultural plan to ease the impact of drought on farmers.
Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, who leads the government's economic team, said Thursday a portion of revenue from the spectrum bidding worth 80.78 billion baht will be allocated to help farmers survive drought over the next three or four months.
It is not clear how much money will be set aside for the plan although the spending will be subject to prior consideration by the Budget Bureau and approval by the cabinet.
Speaking after a meeting on economic policies with Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chatchai Sarikulya Thursday, Mr Somkid said the budget will go to the ministry's 882 knowledge centres across the country to provide occupational training courses for farmers unable to grow crops due to water shortages.
The farmers will be taught about alternative occupations and given money to attend the training.
Residents will be trained to add value and market local products. They will also be taught brand development for the products to make extra money during the drought.
Those who attend the course will receive a wage of 180 to 200 baht per day.
Gen Chatchai said the ministry will discuss with state agencies how to persuade farmers to join the training, as the drought is predicted to hit many parts of the country with limited water reserved in major dams, particularly in the Chao Phraya River basin.
Meanwhile, Deunden Nikomborirak, research director for economic governance at the Thailand Development Research Institute, said the government should focus on water management rather than building large infrastructure to address water problems effectively.
According to Ms Deunden's research, a comprehensive water management plan will help tackle drought and flood problems without wasting money on construction of dams or reservoirs which could damage the environment and the ecosystem.
She said proper water management has to be based on a sound city plan involving construction, transportation and other factors which affect water sources and the drainage system.
Ms Deunden said water management areas should be designated according to the river basins to which they are located, to allow locals to have a say.
However, grouping water management areas by geography could face a problem because river basins may not match the administrative areas.
The government could set up an agency to oversee water management in each river basin regardless of administrative areas as a way around the problem.
Another solution is to let local administration organisations take care of the management based on the specific areas which a river cuts through, while a government agency may supervise several provinces covering those areas.
