PM urges drought-stricken farmers not to stage protests
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PM urges drought-stricken farmers not to stage protests

This canal in Suphan Buri's Don Chedi district has almost dried up, a symbol of more than four million rai of farmland across the country that has been devastated by drought. (Photo by Patipat Janthong)
This canal in Suphan Buri's Don Chedi district has almost dried up, a symbol of more than four million rai of farmland across the country that has been devastated by drought. (Photo by Patipat Janthong)

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has urged people affected by the drought to refrain from protesting as the government has been working hard to solve the problem.

The prime minister told farmers suffering drought hardship not to protest, saying the government was seeking to address the problem and provide assistance to drought victims.

Gen Prayut said water in the main rivers has been running dry due to a long absence of rain, resulting in a drastic drop in water levels in dams across the country. 

"I do not mean to threaten those who want to hold demonstrations but don't force me to enforce the law," Gen Prayut said.

He said about four million rai of farmland was parched due to water shortages.

The government will provide assistance to drought victims as best as it can, though Gen Prayut also urged members of the public to help themselves where they can.

Meanwhile, agriculture permanent secretary Chavalit Chukachorn said 11 units of the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation in five regions have been conducting artificial rain-making operations since March.

The operations have been carried out in response to the premier's order to replenish the volume of water in dams nationwide to retain water for in-season rice and other agricultural purposes.

Warawut Khantiyanan, director-general of the department, also voiced concerns over the drought crisis in Nakhon Sawan, Lop Buri and Saraburi provinces of the eastern Central region and all provinces in the northeastern region.

Farmers in Chai Nat's Sapphaya district, Ang Thong and Khon Kaen have to pump water out of dams and irrigation canals for agricultural and consumption purposes. 

Mr Warawut, however, said humidity in the air will be enough to conduct artificial rainmaking.

In Chai Nat, the water level in the Chao Phraya dam has dropped from 14.30m to 14.19m as farmers pumped water from the reservoir to retain for their farmland. Dam director Ekkasit Sakdeethanaporn called on farmers not to store excess amounts of water as it will affect the government's water management plan.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, authorities have stopped releasing water from Lam Takhong dam in Sikhiu district for agricultural purposes as they want to reserve the water for human consumption only.

Suttiroj Kongkaew, director of the Lam Takhong Operation and Maintenance Project, said the volume of water in the dam now is 60 million cubic metres, out of the dam's total capacity of 314.49 million cu/m.

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