Hua Hin flood preparations stepped up by governor

Prachuap Khiri Khan Governor Sitthichai Sawat-saen has ordered agencies to step up Hua Hin flood preparations ahead of the rainy season, with officials aiming to reduce the risk of disruption to residents, transport routes and the local tourism economy.

Mr Sitthichai chaired a meeting of the Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command Centre at Hua Hin Municipality Office on June 18 to review flood prevention and emergency response plans for the district.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Governor Prateep Boriboonrat, Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Centre Region 4 Prachuap Khiri Khan Director Sorawut Palawat, Acting Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office chief Thanawat Rueangdet, Hua Hin District Chief Supachai Khrutdam, Deputy Hua Hin Mayor Sanphop Uengratsamee, Hua Hin Municipal Clerk Jeerawat Pramanee and representatives from relevant agencies.

Officials were briefed on preparations to assist people in flood-risk areas, weather forecasts and expected rainfall. Hua Hin district is expected to see its heaviest rainfall in October.

The meeting also reviewed emergency response plans, machinery, rescue equipment and other resources that could be moved quickly into affected areas if needed.

Flood response plans reviewed for Hua Hin

Officials discussed contingency plans for roads being cut off, bridges becoming impassable, alternative traffic routes and drainage management in construction areas. Hua Hin district has prepared 10 evacuation centres for people affected by flooding.

Mr Sitthichai said Hua Hin is one of the province’s key economic and tourism areas and instructed agencies to work together closely on flood prevention and emergency response. He said particular attention should be given to Phetkasem Road, the main route linking 14 southern provinces.

The province has also requested 50 million baht in budget support from the Hydro-Informatics Institute Foundation under Royal Patronage for a project to dredge and expand five ponds at Royal Hua Hin Golf Course.

The ponds would act as “kaem ling”, or monkey cheek water retention areas, to hold runoff from the Khao Hin Lek Fai area and help reduce flooding in Hua Hin’s urban zone.

Mr Sitthichai said he had appointed a working group for the provincial flood, storm and mudslide command centre, as well as a separate water management working group for Hua Hin Municipality.

The province is also applying the “water-cutting theory” developed by Dr Royol Chitradon, director and secretary-general of the Hydro-Informatics Institute Foundation under Royal Patronage. The approach aims to intercept water before it enters the town through Khlong Phra Ratchadamri, the main drainage route.

Plans also include water pumping systems, sediment traps and a Ground Control Point-based rainfall assessment system to improve water monitoring.

Across Prachuap Khiri Khan’s eight districts, water-flow maps have now been completed for all 60 local administrative organisations, allowing authorities to better analyse water routes and plan flood prevention measures.

A separate project to dig small ponds along railway routes has already been carried out at two locations in Mueang Prachuap Khiri Khan and Bang Saphan Noi, using a budget of almost 2 million baht. The province plans to expand the project to other areas in coordination with the State Railway of Thailand and local administrative organisations.