Despite no obvious signs of a shortage of bottled drinking water in Greater Bangkok, retailers and producers are preparing to meet increased demand if the drought gets worse.
However, some retailers in the northern part of the capital where tap water has run dry have begun to see consumers purchasing more bottled water.
The Commerce Ministry has insisted there is no shortage of drinking water and told the public, especially in Pathum Thani, not to panic.
A sales assistant at a hypermarket in Rangsit said she was told to monitor closely the supply of drinking water on shelves after people began buying greater quantities.
A major grocery shop owner in Nonthaburi was concerned about a potential shortage of drinking water.
"Normally, when I order drinking water from a big agent, a truck will deliver it within 24 hours, but now I have to wait up to seven days," she said.
Boonyarit Kalayanamit, director-general of the Internal Trade Department, said authorities were closely monitoring the issue and all producers insisted there was no shortage of drinking water.
Marut Buranasetkul, senior vice-president of Thai Beverage Group, producer of Chang and Crystal drinking water, said the group had not been affected by the drought and had sufficient water to produce drinking water, beer and ready-to-drink green tea.
However, the group has prepared some measures to cope with the worsening water situation.
Production capacity at each of its 11 plants is almost 100%. But if there is a shortage of drinking water, some plants could increase their production by 20%.
Ichitan Group, producer of Ichitan ready-to-drink green tea, has increased production capacity of beverages by 5% from normal.
Commerce Minister Chatchai Sarikulya said the ministry had not been informed about a shortage of drinking water. "We do hope that more rainfall late this month as forecast by the Thai Meteorological Department will help ease the concerns," he said.
Authorities are ready to take legal action against profiteering.
Ratana Kitchawan, governor of the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA), said it resumed producing tap water for residents in Pathum Thani and nearby areas yesterday when the Royal Irrigation Department started discharging some raw water.
Pathum Thani Water Co, which supplies tap water totalling 20,000 cubic metres a day or 10% of total demand in Pathum Thani, said its raw water supply was still sufficient.
"Phra Phutthabat district of Saraburi has suffered a water shortage as our plant there has stopped producing tap water for two days and we don't know for sure when we can resume production," said a senior PWA official.
"What we know for sure is that Bangkok will definitely have sufficient water for its consumption. However, if things get worse and we don't have enough water supply for Bangkok, the people of Bangkok would have to suffer brackish water."