PM launches water development project in Upper Thai South

PHETCHABURI, March 14 (TNA) - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has officially launched the Huay Mae Phriang water development project in the Huay Mae Phriang locality of Kaeng Krachan district in Phetchaburi Province in the Upper Thai South. The royally-initiated Huay Mae Phriang water development project is among 97 water source development projects the Thai government has assigned the Royal Thai Army to implement in 37 provinces to solve flooding and drought in a sustainable manner. The Royal Thai Army started the implementation of the Huay Mae Phriang water development project early this year and its completion is set in June 2013, aimed to solve flooding and drought for over 6 million people in 477 villages, situated on about 3 million rai or 4,800 square kilometers, as the drainage capacity of the Huay Mae Phriang stream will rise by 40-90 per cent. Yingluck expressed gratitude towards the Royal Thai Army for supporting the government's water management plans, saying that she expects the Huay Mae Phriang water development project to be completed before this year's rainy season. The prime minister also mentioned her administration's 350-billion-baht nationwide water management and flood prevention projects, noting that the government will, as well, increase water sources in the Thai Northeast to improve living conditions of locals who are suffering from drought this year. (TNA)