drought
- Thailand News
Reservoir of worry: Nakhon Ratchasima braces for 2025 dry spell
Nakhon Ratchasima is currently facing a severe water crisis, with alarmingly low water levels in its reservoirs. Concerns are growing about potential water shortages for consumption and use in the dry season of 2025. The provincial governor urged residents to conserve water and may consider halting off-season rice farming. A meeting was held yesterday, October 30, at the new building…
- Thailand News
Yingluck’s 6 trillion baht water project revived to address floods
A massive water management project initially proposed by Yingluck Shinawatra may be revived, aiming to tackle Thailand’s recurring issues of flooding and drought. The initiative, projected to cost around 6 trillion baht, has been deemed a national priority by Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. “The matter was first raised by the Yingluck government. In 2011, a budget of 2…
- Thailand News
Koh Samui’s drought nightmare vs Phuket’s flooding chaos
Koh Samui is reeling from an acute water shortage as its reservoirs are drying up amid a prolonged drought. On the neighbouring island of Phuket, residents are battling heavy rainfall and flooding. Koh Samui’s main reservoir, with a capacity of 800,000 cubic metres, is down to a mere 10%, enough to last just two weeks. The Krajood reservoir fares slightly…
- Thailand News
Heavy drought leaves Lamphun houseboats stranded
Heavy drought has struck the famous freshwater Kaeng Kor Lake in Lamphun, causing a significant drop in water levels and leaving houseboats stranded on land. Tourism services have been temporarily halted until conditions improve. Operators of houseboat services at Kaeng Kor Lake, located in Mae Ping National Park, Li District, Lamphun province, announced the suspension of their boating and restaurant…
- Thailand News
Severe drought in Nakhon Ratchasima threatens rice farmers
Nakhon Ratchasima faces a severe drought crisis, with newly sown rice fields wilting due to prolonged dry spells. The irrigation department is urgently pumping water to prevent damage to over 1,000 rai of rice seedlings. The significant drought is particularly felt in the Phimai district. The water allocation officials from the Thung Samrit Irrigation Project, Phimai district, have accelerated efforts…
- Pattaya News
RTN floods Koh Larn with 170 tons of water amid drought
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) vessel HTMS Ravi delivered more than 170 tonnes (approximately 154,000 litres) of fresh water to residents of Koh Larn in Pattaya, addressing an ongoing drought. This significant delivery occurred yesterday, prompted by Koh Larn’s struggle with water shortages exacerbated by dry weather and a surge in tourist numbers. In response to complaints from residents and…
- Thailand News
Nakhon Ratchasima tackles severe drought with a strategic plan
Facing one of the severest droughts in five years, officials in Nakhon Ratchasima implemented a crucial water allocation plan to ensure sufficient supply for the province’s inhabitants. The strategy aims to distribute 141 million cubic metres of water to sustain the lives of over 600,000 residents across six districts. Officials confirm that there will be enough water for consumption and…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya officials provide free water to drought-hit Koh Larn island
Residents of Koh Larn breathed a sigh of relief as the Governor of Chon Buri, and city officials made their way to the island on May 7, bearing the gift of water. Thailand’s ongoing dry season had left the locals parched, thereby leading to this much-needed intervention that saw the distribution of 100,000 litres of free water. This act of…
- Thailand News
Severe drought hits Uthai Thani, farms and buffalos at risk
Thailand’s Uthai Thani province is grappling with its most severe drought in decades, with temperatures soaring between 40 and 43 degrees Celsius and a prolonged absence of rain. The drought has reached a critical point, affecting several districts and causing a widespread scarcity of water for both consumption and agricultural use. The situation has escalated to the point where it…
- Business News
Thailand’s eastern corridor factories prepared for drought season
Factories within Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) are poised to weather an impending drought season, thanks to preventative measures undertaken by the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT). The EEC, which encompasses sections of Chon Buri, Rayong and Chachoengsao, is home to 41 industrial estates and 6,000 factories, and the daily demand for water across these establishments amounts to 1.5…
- Thailand News
Drought dries up Buriram: 300 Thai households forced to buy water
The protracted drought in Thailand has precipitated a water crisis in Mueang district, Buriram, compelling approximately 300 households across three villages to resort to purchasing water. The scarcity of water is attributed to the drying up of the area’s groundwater, which these villages heavily depend on, given that they are not linked to the local water pipelines. The impacted villages…
- Thailand News
Emergency water distribution in Hua Hin amidst drought concerns
To combat the severe drought gripping Hua Hin, Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul spearheaded a meeting with local government officials to discuss immediate relief and long-term fixes for the parched populace, especially in Khao Takiap. Joined by Deputy Mayor Atichat Chaisri and a cadre of civic bigwigs, the summit centred on the dwindling water levels at the Hua Na reservoir. These plummeting…
- Business News
Sweet sorrow: Thailand’s sugarcane harvest takes a hit
A significant reduction in Thailand’s sugarcane yield in the 2023–24 crop year has been reported by the Office of the Cane and Sugar Board (OCSB). This decrease in production is attributed to severe drought conditions and is expected to have an impact on the worldwide sugar supply. Thailand is the second-largest exporter of sugar globally, following Brazil. Therefore, any decrease…
- Thailand News
Hua Hin water woes won’t dampen Songkran spirit
To quench concerns over water scarcity threatening the Songkran festival, Hua Hin Municipality is taking swift action to ensure the festivities flow smoothly without parching tourism enthusiasm. Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul, flanked by municipal bigwigs and key officials, huddled to hash out strategies to navigate the drought as the region gears up for the traditional Thai New Year festivity. Pranburi Dam,…
- Phuket News
Phuket reservoirs assure sufficient water supply until annual rains
Phuket’s main reservoirs, namely Bang Wad Reservoir, Bang Neow Dum Reservoir, and Klong Kata Reservoir, currently hold sufficient water supplies to service residents and tourist accommodations until the anticipated annual rains arrive next month, according to Phuket officials. This assurance comes from the head of the Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM-Phuket), Sophon Thongsai, following his inspection of…
- Thailand News
Huai Yang Waterfall National Park to close from April 1
The Huai Yang Waterfall National Park in Thap Sakae, Prachuap Khiri Khan province is set to lock its gates to tourists from April 1 onwards. Somjet Chantana, Director of the Administration Office for Conservation Area 3 (Phetchaburi Branch), stated that the decision was reached after extensive discussions with Rakpong Boonyoi, the Head of Huai Yang Waterfall National Park. The closure,…
- Thailand News
Phimai farmers hit by early drought, Mun River runs dry
Farmers in the district of Phimai, Nakhon Ratchasima province, are facing a severe drought that has swiftly dried up the Mun River. On the auspicious day of Makha Bucha, traditionally a time of potential earnings for lotus farmers, the parched riverbeds have left many without income or water for their daily needs. The situation, recorded today, underscores the urgency of…
- Thailand News
Controversy over new water tunnel network plan in Kanchanaburi’s wildlife sanctuary
The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) and the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) have come under scrutiny for their plan to build a new water tunnel network in the Salak Phra Wildlife Sanctuary, Kanchanaburi. The project, designed to combat summer droughts, has sparked concerns among local conservationists due to its potential impact on the local ecosystem. The RID justifies…
- Thailand News
Severe drought crisis looms in Nakhon Ratchasima with water reservoirs depleting
Nakhon Ratchasima province faces a severe drought crisis, with medium-sized water reservoirs at worrying levels, holding less than half their capacity. A halt on off-season rice farming has been ordered and urgent discussions are underway to secure water reserves throughout this year’s dry season. The Nakhon Ratchasima Irrigation Project’s water allocation division today reported on the water situation in the…
- Business News
Impending drought poses significant threat to Thai export sector
The Thai economy braces for another challenge as impending drought threatens its critical export sector, following last month’s extensive flooding. Despite an improvement in exports in August, marking a recovery from an 11 month decline, the impending drought could significantly impact food manufacturing and shipments. The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) highlighted concerns over the potential repercussions of water shortages…
- Thailand News
Thai ministry’s water woes: Bueng Boraphet faces aquatic crisis with levels plummeting tenfold
The Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment yesterday investigated the water situation at Bueng Boraphet, revealing that the water level is ten times lower than the previous year, creating a water crisis that could impact the ecosystem. The secretary, Jatuporn Burusphat, ordered continuous water replenishment from today. Accompanied by Pichit Sombatmak, Deputy Secretary, and other concerned officials,…
- Northern Thailand News
Severe drought in Uthai Thani prompts wildlife migration, risks for locals
Uthai Thani’s Huay Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary is grappling with a severe drought attributed to the El Nino phenomenon, prompting elephants and various other species to migrate into nearby regions in search of food, according to an official announcement. The sanctuary’s wildlife breeding station chief, Tonsak Nipanan, stated that wildlife has encroached upon the station’s area and beyond. The breeding…
- Thailand News
El Nino triggers drought risk for 16.5 million rai of Thai agricultural land
Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry confirmed yesterday that an estimated 16.5 million rai of agricultural land nationwide will be impacted by reduced rainfall due to the El Nino phenomenon this year. The ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, Apai Sutthisang, expressed concern over the impending dry season, particularly as the effects of El Nino are predicted to intensify in November. The Royal Irrigation…
- Thailand News
Water shortages: Thai govt mulls halting Central Plains rice farming amid anticipated drought
In a bid to counteract the effects of a potential drought, the central government of Thailand is contemplating the suspension of rice cultivation in the Central Plains region. This proposal comes alongside the potential establishment of a command centre to combat reduced rainfall and water shortages. The Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) initiated this conversation, citing apprehensions about…
- Thailand News
El Nino: Thailand combats dry spell with robust water management for EEC
As Thailand grapples with the El Nino weather phenomenon, the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) assures unwavering water supply for the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). Despite the current weather conditions likely to persist from October to April of next year, the RID is poised to mitigate the impacts with diligent water management. Prapit Chanma, the director-general of the RID, assured yesterday…
- Thailand News
Water crisis grapples Koh Samui as rising tourist demands amplify freshwater shortage
Koh Samui, a popular tourist resort island in Surat Thani province, is grappling with a significant water crisis as declining rainfall and amplified water demands take their toll. Many of the water reserves on the island, such as the district’s Phru Na Mueang and Phru Krajud reservoirs, along with the renowned Hin Lard waterfall, have seen their water levels drop…
- Thailand Weather Updates
El Nino drought: Thailand braces for potential impact, agencies prepare
The National Water Resources Office of Thailand (ONWR), the country’s central agency for water resource management, warns of a potential drought due to the influence of a “mild” El Nino weather phenomenon. In a recently held meeting, the ONWR pressed associated agencies to prepare for a likely dry spell. The meeting held yesterday brought together representatives from various domains, including…
- Business News
Drought hits Thailand’s cassava yield, imports to fill shortfall predicted
A projected decrease in Thailand’s yield of cassava and its by-products from 11 million tonnes last year to an estimated 9 million tonnes this year has been attributed to drought conditions. This situation is further compounded by more farmers opting for sugar cane cultivation instead. Ronnarong Phoolpipat, director-general of the Foreign Trade Department, revealed that despite the drought-induced shortfall in…
- Thailand News
Dry spell dilemma: Thai researchers sound the alarm over El Nino’s thirsty forecast
Thai researchers are currently raising the alarm as they predict a potential drought crisis in the coming years, due to the El Nino weather pattern causing lower than average rainfall. Consequently, proactive measures and comprehensive water management plans are urgently needed to mitigate the impact of the impending water scarcity. A conference discussing climate change, water resource management, and strategies…
- Business News
Thai economy could face 36 billion baht hit from extreme weather
Extreme weather conditions, including drought and floods, could potentially inflict a 36 billion baht blow to Thailand‘s economy this year, warns the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB). Drought, in particular, is a significant concern as it may severely affect the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, further hindering the country’s already sluggish exports. “Manufacturers are worried about drought…
