Phetchaburi flood project gets 14.7bn baht approval
Cabinet approves 14.7bn baht plan to tackle Phetchaburi flooding
The Cabinet has approved a 14.7 billion baht Phetchaburi flood project aimed at providing a long-term solution to flooding in the lower Phetchaburi River Basin.
The decision was approved at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, 5 August, Deputy Government Spokesperson Capt Phatdharasmi Thongsaluayakorn said.
Under the plan, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, through the Royal Irrigation Department, will carry out the Lower Phetchaburi River Basin Flood Mitigation Project under the Royal Initiative.
The project is scheduled to run for 10 years, covering the 2027 to 2036 fiscal years.
Phetchaburi flood project to create 38.92km drainage route
The work will include improvements to existing drainage canals and the excavation of new channels along a total distance of 38.92 kilometres.
The drainage route will run from an area upstream of Phet Dam in Tha Yang district to an outlet into the Gulf of Thailand in Cha-am district.
Officials said the project is intended to increase the capacity to divert water into the Gulf of Thailand, reduce flood damage and provide additional water resources.
It is expected to help protect more than 33,690 rai of land from flooding.
Part of the route towards the Gulf of Thailand will pass through around 162 rai of mangrove forest.
The Cabinet therefore approved an exemption from previous resolutions restricting the use of mangrove areas to allow the project to proceed.
The exemption comes with conditions requiring the relevant agencies to implement environmental protection measures and closely monitor any impact on the surrounding ecosystem.
The Cabinet also instructed the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to speed up land acquisition for the project and ensure fair compensation is provided to affected landowners.
Authorities were also told to work with communities in affected areas as the project moves forward.
The Phetchaburi flood project has a total approved budget framework of 14.7 billion baht.
