ONWR and Royal Irrigation Department Partner to Strengthen Water Security in Eastern Economic Corridor
Thailand's water agencies are strengthening water security in the Eastern Economic Corridor ahead of an anticipated El Niño phenomenon expected to bring below-normal rainfall from mid-2027 through August 2027.
Secretary-General Chayant Mueang Song of the Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) chaired a meeting to monitor water conditions and coordinate water management within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), bringing together representatives from the Royal Irrigation Department, regional water authorities, the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee Office, and Eastern Water Resources Management and Development Company (EisWater). The team conducted field inspections of water diversion project construction from Prasae-Nong Kho-Bang Phra reservoirs and water management networks throughout the EEC, while monitoring water management and quality standards in Chachoengsao province.
The Secretary-General stated the field visit is part of preparations for the anticipated El Niño phenomenon expected to impact Thailand from mid-year through August 2027, carrying risks of below-normal rainfall. ONWR is coordinating with relevant agencies to prepare and prevent potential impacts, particularly in the eastern region as a crucial economic hub for the nation. The Royal Irrigation Department will utilize six-month rainfall forecasts from the Meteorological Department to assess water inflow volumes to regional reservoirs, closely monitoring conditions to adjust plans accordingly. Plans also include pumping water from Saphan Canal Line 1 to Prasae Reservoir in Rayong province, with a target of 25 million cubic meters in 2026, while seeking to maximize capacity to 50 million cubic meters without negatively impacting downstream areas.
The EEC water management system uses reservoir-to-reservoir water diversion as a key mechanism for distributing water to economic zones, with Prasae Reservoir in Rayong serving as the hub to receive water from the Wang Ton River Basin in Chachoengsao and redistribute excess water to various reservoirs throughout Rayong and Chachoengsao for dry season storage. The system serves domestic, agricultural, and industrial water needs while reducing flood impacts during rainy seasons.
Currently, development projects in the Wang Ton River Basin in Chachoengsao have completed three reservoirs: Klong Pragad, Klong Hang Maew, and Klong Phawa Yai. Once the fourth reservoir, Klong Wang Ton, is finished, it will strengthen confidence in water diversion from Prasae to Nong Kho, Nong Pla Lai, and Bang Phra reservoirs, addressing water shortages in the eastern region and supporting EEC water demands while ensuring long-term national water security, the Secretary-General concluded.