BANGKOK, 6 August 2015 – Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered the construction of monkey cheek water retention areas across Thailand to increase the amount of water that can be stored in preparation for another drought crisis.
Prime Minister Prayut said after inspecting Khun Dan Prakarnchol and Pasak Cholasit Dams that both had only 4% of water left.
The Prime Minister observed that since the Monkey Cheeks or water retention areas have been built around the dams, 46 million more cubic meters of water have been stored after continued rainfalls. The PM also advised local residents to conserve water and preserve forest areas.
General Prayut has in the meantime instructed the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment to grow more trees as they help retain underground water. In addition, farmers in the areas affected by water shortages will receive financial aid of 1,000 baht per rai under the existing drought relief scheme.
