Southern Thailand: Flood mitigation study completed in Surat Thani’s Klong Roy Sai area

The Royal Irrigation Department completed a flood mitigation study in the Klong Roy Sai area of Surat Thani city, which promises to bring benefits to residents. The project launch was held at the Wang Tai Hotel conference room in Surat Thani.

Notable attendees included Nuntawat Charoenwan, Deputy Governor of Surat Thani Province, Somsawat Chaisinsorn, Director of Surat Thani Irrigation Project, and Kueasak Thathong, an engineering expert in planning.

The flood mitigation study focused on the Klong Roy Sai area of Surat Thani, with over 100 representatives from government agencies and residents in attendance. The project was necessary due to the low-lying nature of the Klong Roy Sai area, which covers six sub-districts. These include Bang Bai Mai, Bang Son, Khlong Chanak, Bang Sai, Khlong Noi, and Bang Pho, falling between the Phunphin Canal and the Tapee River in the city of Surat Thani.

The area covers approximately 149 kilometres and about 70,000 acres, with some canals leading to the sea. During heavy rainfall, a large volume of water from the Phunphin Canal and Tapee River flows into the Klong Roy Sai area and then flows to the sea.

Currently, these canals are shallow and cannot drain water effectively, causing flooding in agricultural areas and homes. The excess water also cannot be drained quickly enough, leading to prolonged flooding.

This study was necessary to evaluate the current state of water flow capacity in each canal and the volume of water entering the area. The importance of addressing these issues was considered, and the selected projects were then studied for feasibility and preliminary design, leading to the construction process. The flood mitigation study for the Klong Roy Sai area in Surat Thani was needed for effective water management, reported KhaoSod.

Flood mitigation study

Kueasak Thathong stated that the purpose of the flood mitigation study in the Klong Roy Sai area is to alleviate flooding in the Klong Roy Sai area of Surat Thani and to manage water to address water shortage problems and mitigate flooding in the Klong Roy Sai area effectively. This needs to be considered in a holistic way to align with the lifestyle, society, and environment, as well as the views of the public.

The completion of the flood mitigation study in the Klong Roy Sai area will bring benefits to the local people. These include the ability to alleviate flooding and reduce the flooded area and water depth, including the flooding duration, allowing faster flood drainage in the Klong Roy Sai area of Surat Thani.

Once the project is completed, it will improve the efficiency of water drainage and the storage of clean water for agricultural use and consumption in the Klong Roy Sai area, fulfilling the mission of the Royal Irrigation Department. It could also be developed as an eco-tourism destination along various canals in the future.