BANGKOK, 17 February 2012 -Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said that around 1.5 million rais of land have been designated as monkey-cheek reservoirs while another 117 more flood prevention programs are expected to be achieved soon.
The Prime Minister made the statement at the end of her visit to observe the flood prevention programs upcountry during February 13-17, 2012.
She said that during the trip, she instructed related agencies to execute royally-initiated projects on reforestation of watershed areas and conservation of ecosystem on 330,000 rais of land within 3 months. A national level data center on water management, warning and data processing systems as well as a road map for the management of Bhumipol and Sirikit dams will also be achieved.
6 provinces in the North of Thailand have been designated as construction sites for the monkey cheek reservoirs. They will be able to contain 4.9 billion cubic meters of run off altogether.
Ms. Yingluck also instructed the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to further conduct a research on the flood prevention strategy to be reported to her before she provides the public with a summary on her progress at the end of this month.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said she will ask the Cabinet to approve another budget of 4.9 billion baht to be spent on 117 other flood prevention schemes. The additional projects are expected to be done within 3 months.
