PM inspects solutions to drought in Thai Northeast

BANGKOK, May 25 (TNA) - Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha is scheduled to visit Nakhon Ratchasima Province in the Thai Northeast on May 25 to inspect drought and water management solutions. Assistant Government Spokesman Colonel Thaksada Sangkhajan told journalists that the prime minister and his entourage, including Interior Minister General Anupong Paochinda and Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister General Chatchai Sarikulya, are scheduled to follow up local water management projects, set for 2015-2016, after arriving in Nakhon Ratchasima. The assistant spokesman said the prime minister and his entourage are also scheduled to visit the Lam Phra Phloeng Irrigation Project site in Pak Thong Chai District. Besides, they will be briefed on measures to help local farmers through the dry season, reserve water and ensure efficient irrigation. The projects and the measures, involving the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the Royal Thai Army, the Provincial Waterworks Authority and local residents, have irrigated as many as 18,000 rais of farmlands (2.5 rais = 1 acre) in Pak Thong Chai and Chok Chai Districts. According to the assistant spokesman, the prime minister will also visit the site of a project to build the Lam Sam Lai Reservoir before returning to Bangkok by Wednesday evening. Meanwhile, the Thai premier has ordered relevant parties to also prepare measures to cope with possible floods in the country. (TNA)