The number of provinces battling severe water shortages has risen to 20 with Satun and Phitsanulok the latest victims.
Water levels in Khlong Si in Khlong Luang district of Pathum Thani have fallen sharply, forcing some farmers to give up their second rice crop. (Photo by Pongpat Wongyala)
The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department's latest update on Saturday included the two provinces among the areas declared emergency zones.
The other provinces on the list are Uttaradit, Sukhothai, Phrae, Tak, Nan and Phayao in the North; Buri Ram, Khon Kaen, Si Sa Ket, Chaiyaphum and Maha Sarakham in the Northeast; Sing Buri, Saraburi and Chainat in the Central Plains; Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi and Prachin Buri in the Eastern region; Trang and Satun in the South.
Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra visited the North last week and Isan this week to observe the problems and discuss solutions. But the People's Democratic Reform Committee and the Democrat Party accused her of staging the trips to avoid confrontations with protesters in Bangkok.
Even provinces not on the list, among them Pathum Thani just north of Bangkok, are facing water shortages.
Some farmers in the central province have given up hope on their second rice crop due to unusually low level of water to feed their farmland.
Somjai Sukornmuang, a farmer in Khlong Luang district in Pathum Thani, said he and other farmers relying on Khlong Si had decided to leave their farms unattended due to the low level of water in the canal.
The Royal Irrigation Department has already warned farmers not to start second rice crops due to dry conditions this year.
Mr Somjai said the provincial office had already delivered the same message to him and his colleagues but they had to take risks to ensure a living.