The Cabinet has allocated 9.5 billion baht to overhaul the Chao Phraya irrigation system to reduce flooding in eight provinces.

The Cabinet has approved the 9.5 billion baht Chao Phraya Lower East Irrigation Project, covering 22 main canals. The project aims to protect over 2.58 rai of land from flooding and reduce average annual damage by 1 billion baht.

On September 15, 2026, at 2:35 PM, Lieutenant Colonel Patthadarasmi Thongsalooykorn, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, announced that the Cabinet had approved the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, through the Royal Irrigation Department, to implement the "Lower East Chao Phraya Irrigation System Improvement Project" with a total budget of 95,000 million baht over a 6-year period (fiscal years 2027-2032). The project aims to improve flood management efficiency and sustainably address the recurring flooding problem in the Chao Phraya River basin.

Key details of the project are as follows: A total budget of 95,000 million baht, comprising 76,507.29 million baht in loans (80.53%) and 18,492.71 million baht from the annual budget (19.47%). The project will be implemented in two phases to maintain fiscal stability and manage land-related risks.

Phase 1, with a budget of 40,507 million baht, prioritizes the construction and expansion of north-south canals to directly drain water into the Gulf of Thailand. This includes canals such as Khlong Raphiphat, Khlong Raphiphat Yaek Tai, Khlong 13, Khlong Nakhon Nueang Khet, Khlong Phra Ong Chao Chaiyanuchit, Khlong Samrong, and Khlong Dan, areas that are ready and free from encroachment issues.

Phase 2, with a budget of 54,493 million baht, will proceed with the remaining construction in sequence.

The deputy spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office stated that the project will encompass a network of 22 main irrigation canals, approximately 460 kilometers in length, and 23 water control structures in eight provinces: Saraburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Nakhon Nayok, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Chachoengsao, and Bangkok. This will increase the water intake capacity of the Raphiphat Canal from 210 to 400 cubic meters per second and increase the water discharge into the Gulf of Thailand through coastal canals to 144 cubic meters per second.

Once completed, the project is expected to reduce flood damage by an average of 1 billion baht per year and protect over 258,000 rai of residential and economic areas from flooding. It will also increase water storage for consumption during the dry season by over 17 million cubic meters per year.

Reference: www.thaigov.go.th

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