CABINET MULLS FLOOD PLAN

>> The cabinet will decide on Tuesday if it will approve a 37-billion-baht project to tackle chronic flooding problems in the Central Plains.

The project, to be implemented from 2018-19, is being proposed by the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry, the body overseeing major reservoirs and water levels in the country.

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chatchai Sarikulya said the ministry is currently supervising several “urgent” water-related plans across the provinces, including those in the Central Plains, over the next two years.

The plans are intended to deal with the flood-prone areas covering 2.5 million rai, he said. They would include dredging Pasak Jolasid Dam in Lop Buri, reinforcing embankments along the Chao Phraya River and building a new dam, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, across the Chao Phraya.

“We’re conducting a one-year feasibility study,” Gen Chatchai said, referring to the Ayutthaya dam project. The province has high levels of vulnerability to flooding due to its low-lying riverside terrains.

The dam, to be built in the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district, requires about 6 billion baht for construction and the appropriation of 500 houses, the Daily News reported, citing a Royal Irrigation Department statement from last month.

The majority of the money will come from the ministry’s annual budget, but they are considered requesting further funds from the government, Gen Chatchai said.

During the meeting in Ayutthaya, the cabinet will also be asked to consider the construction of a canal-cum-motorway project proposed by the Transport Ministry.

The project would involve the connecting of a new canal with a motorway to be named Third Eastern Ring Road, going from Ayutthaya to Samut Prakan, said Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith.

The 110-kilometre-long canal would speed up flow from the North to the Gulf of Thailand. The Chao Phraya serves as a channel for runoff water, but it alone is insufficient for rainy season floods.

Meanwhile, the 97km motorway built around 15km from Bangkok’s Eastern Ring Road, would lead to Ayutthaya’s Bang Pa-in district, Pathum Thani’s Khlong Luang district, Bangkok’s Nong Chok district and Samut Prakan’s Bang Sao Thong district.

If the project gets the go-ahead, its construction could start as soon as 2021, said Mr Arkhom.