On Thursday, June 12, 2025, officials in Prachuap Khiri Khan, led by Governor Sittichai Sawatdirat, embarked on a significant survey of water storage facilities and areas adjacent to railway lines. This crucial initiative aims to identify and implement strategic solutions for both flood prevention and drought mitigation across the province, ensuring sustainable water resources for its residents.
The provincial administration, in collaboration with the Utokapat Foundation under Royal Patronage, is embarking on a proactive approach to address long-standing water management challenges. The initial phase of the survey focused on the Huai Nam Chon water source in Ao Noi sub-district, Mueang district. Here, Dr. Royol Chitradon, Secretary-General of the Utokapat Foundation, provided expert consultation and guidance on water management strategies. He proposed immediate measures, such as placing sandbags along the banks of Huai Nam Chon to manage water flow during the rainy season. This is intended to direct excess water into the main waterway, which the Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Irrigation Office has already begun excavating to a width of 5 meters and a depth of 1 meter over approximately one kilometer. This controlled water flow will prevent wastage and guide water into the Khlong Bueng reservoir, thereby enhancing the efficiency of water production for the local waterworks and ensuring a reliable water supply for the populace throughout the year, even during dry spells.
In the afternoon, the survey extended to railway lines and coastal areas within the Huai Sai and Huai Yang sub-districts. This segment of the inspection was dedicated to assessing potential sites for dredging existing drainage channels alongside the railway tracks, a measure designed to alleviate both flooding and water scarcity in these specific locales.
Following the extensive site visits, Governor Sittichai Sawatdirat and Dr. Royol Chitradon convened a debriefing session at Rai Khun Ta Wakor, where key discussion points emerged. These included plans for constructing a wave barrier in Ao Noi, with further surveys scheduled for June 13, 2025. In Huai Sai sub-district, a proposal was made to dredge a single canal alongside the railway, a task anticipated to be completed by the Huai Sai Subdistrict Administrative Organization within a week. This effort seeks to expand freshwater storage capacity before water flows into the sea, benefiting both sides of the railway line by conserving water during droughts and improving drainage to prevent flooding. Additionally, these improvements are expected to enhance the local landscape and clearly define railway boundaries, with successful implementation serving as a model for future projects in Huai Yang. Discussions also addressed the Khlong Bueng reservoir, where reduced inflow is a concern. Proposed solutions included adjusting the areas around Prong Daeng and Huai Nam Chon, clearing sediment, and dredging pipes leading into the Khlong Bueng reservoir to increase flow rates. Further recommendations involved reinforcing sandbag barriers along the Huai Nam Chon spillway, constructing weirs to retain water, and establishing sediment traps to improve moisture retention. For the Huai Prong Daeng area, the focus is on increasing the number of weirs.
The collaborative effort included the presence of Mrs. Busakorn Sawatdirat, President of the Prachuap Khiri Khan Red Cross Chapter and President of the Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Housewives Association. Various other officials also attended, including Mr. Prateep Boriboonrat, Deputy Governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan, Mr. Thanawat Ruangdet, Acting Head of the Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, Mr. Somchai Siangyai, Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Local Government Officer, Mr. Suwat Samata, Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Public Works and Town & Country Planning Officer, Mr. Ekarin Tanma, Director of the Prachuap Khiri Khan Royal Irrigation Project, and Mr. Suppachai Krutdam, Mueang Prachuap Khiri Khan District Chief, along with heads of government agencies, civil servants, and relevant working groups and officers.
