Many localities in Thailand are experiencing unpredictable weather, with thunderstorms, strong winds and heavy rains in some areas, including the northern and central regions, as well as Bangkok capital and its vicinity.
Riverside communities in 11 provinces in the Chao Phraya River basin, including Bangkok, have been warned to prepare for possible flooding as the Chao Phraya Dam in Chai Nat province will increase its rate of water discharge.
Thailand’s rice output this year may drop by as much as 6% to 25.1 - 25.6 million tonnes due to impacts of the El Nino weather phenomenon, the Kasikorn Research Centre (KRC) forecast.
Thailand is set to open three new “smart” piers on the Chao Phraya River this year to help reduce traffic problems and offer improved transport links between road, rail, and river.
Thailand's National Water Command Centre issued advice to people in 56 provinces today (Saturday), including Bangkok and its suburbs, to be alert for overflows of rivers due to heavy rains over the previous 24 hours.
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha presided over the opening ceremony of the “MINE (Mission no Emission) Smart Ferry” project, which features an electric ferry route on Chao Phraya river and Thailand’s first smart pier at CAT Tower Pier in Bangkok’s Bangrak district.
The Thai Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has vowed to ensure sufficient supply of clean water to citizens throughout the dry season while units concerned are storing water for dams along Chao Phraya river.
The Bangkok Metropolis Assembly (BMA) has launched a campaign urging residents along the Chao Phraya River not to litter or discharge waste matter into the river, promoting a landscape renovation of Chao Phraya River, now on the WMF’s 2018 World Monuments Watch list.
The Pollution Control Department (PCD) of Thailand is raising public awareness on keeping rivers clean with a boating campaign cleaning up waste on Chao Phraya River through 10 provinces.
Ayutthaya province, an old capital of Thailand, is to hold “Three-Religion Relationship Promotion Festival” to promote tourism thru' the presentation of its historical sites by the Chao Phraya river.