New 135km canal to link Pasak River and Gulf, easing floods and droughts

The Royal Irrigation Department announced plans to construct a new canal that will connect the Pasak River to the Gulf of Thailand. The primary aim of this project is to alleviate flooding in the Central Plains basin during the rainy season and address water shortages during the dry season.

Spanning 135 kilometres, the canal will originate in Tambon Roeng Rang, located in Saraburi’s Sao Hai district, and conclude in Tambon Song Khlong in Chachoengsao’s Bang Pakong district. The canal will traverse 38 tambons and 11 districts across Saraburi, Ayutthaya, Nakhon Nayok, Samut Prakan, and Chachoengsao. The construction process will be divided into two distinct phases, reported Bangkok Post.

During the first phase, a 54.5-kilometre canal will be excavated from Bang Nam Prieo to Bang Pakong district in Chachoengsao. The canal will be extended upon completion to join Klong Raphi Phat in Ayutthaya. The completed canal is anticipated to enhance the region’s drainage capacity to 600 cubic metres of water per second. This increased capacity will help to reduce flooding caused by runoff from the Pasak and Chao Phraya rivers, as well as nearby canals.

In addition to its flood prevention capabilities, the canal will serve as a water reserve with an estimated capacity of around 57.4 million cubic metres. The 10-metre-wide canal will be accompanied by roads on both banks, providing accessibility and infrastructure support.

This ambitious project by the Royal Irrigation Department aims to address the pressing issue of flooding and water scarcity in the Central Plains basin, improving the quality of life for residents and supporting sustainable development in the region.

Recent news reveals that the Thai economy can face potential losses of up to 36 billion baht, as a result of severe weather conditions, such as droughts and floods plaguing the nation. The Federation of Thai Industries is committed to implementing effective measures to address and mitigate the impact of this pressing issue. Read more HERE.