Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s government has pledged major financial support to tackle the country’s worsening water management crisis, as severe flooding continues to affect large parts of the nation.
Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on October 6 chaired a meeting of the National Disaster and Water Management Committee, which approved a total budget of 6.169 billion THB (about 190 million USD). The fund will provide relief to 685,554 households hit by floods and landslides between May 15 and October 6.
According to the government spokesperson, the aid package follows criteria similar to those used in 2024. Each household with permanent residence in affected areas will receive a fixed payment of 9,000 THB if they suffered property damage due to flooding, landslides, or river overflow lasting under seven consecutive days, or endured continuous inundation for more than seven days.
Prime Minister Anutin underscored the need to disburse compensation at maximum speed, while also urging attention to public health risks and agricultural losses caused by prolonged flooding.
With excessive water levels in the lower Chao Phraya River basin and many areas still submerged, Anutin issued direct instructions to manage the crisis ahead of high tides and forecast rainfall from October 9–13.
Immediate measures include tighter control of irrigation dams, coordinated water management along Thailand’s eastern and western banks, intensified pumping operations, and enhanced cooperation with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to improve urban drainage./.
