Thailand's Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin has launched a nationwide emergency response to the ongoing drought crisis, directing the Department of Water Resources to accelerate water distribution and support to affected communities. So far, the relief efforts have assisted over 21,600 households and supplied nearly 2,000 bottles of drinking water to wildfire suppression personnel across multiple provinces. The government has committed to continuing these comprehensive assistance efforts to ensure adequate water supply and long-term water security for the nation.
On May 2, 2569, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin has accelerated urgent assistance to the public during the drought crisis by directing the Department of Water Resources to mobilize all available resources nationwide to increase drinking and domestic water supplies, support village water systems, and establish water reserves throughout at-risk areas. Minister Suchart stressed that the government places the highest priority on maintaining public quality of life, particularly during this widespread drought emergency, and has instructed all relevant agencies to provide full assistance including water supply procurement, agricultural support, and strengthening frontline personnel to relieve public hardship as quickly as possible.
Thirachunn Bunsit, Director-General of the Department of Water Resources, revealed that he has ordered the 11 regional water resource offices to closely monitor the situation while mobilizing machinery, water pumps, water trucks, and various support systems to immediately assist affected areas according to each location's specific needs. The focus includes securing drinking and domestic water supplies, water sources for water production systems, and systematically supporting the agricultural sector.
Operations across various regions nationwide are proceeding continuously, including in Lampang, Nakhon Sawan, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chanthaburi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phitsanulok, Chumphon, Krabi, and Ubon Ratchathani provinces, with water pumps being installed, clean water distributed, and comprehensive field support provided for both domestic consumption and agricultural use, including drinking water supplied to wildfire suppression personnel in at-risk areas.
So far, the Department of Water Resources has assisted over 21,600 households, representing approximately 43,200 people, and has supplied nearly 2,000 bottles of drinking water to frontline wildfire suppression personnel, reflecting the proactive efforts of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in addressing the impacts of the drought crisis concretely.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment confirms its commitment to continuing assistance efforts to ensure people have adequate water supply, reduce hardship during this crisis period, and establish long-term water security for the nation, standing alongside the public through every situation.