Thailand To Implement 246 Flood Mitigation Projects

By Jamaluddin Muhammad BANGKOK, March 13 (Bernama) -- Thailand's Cabinet has approved 24.8 billion Baht (about RM2.48 billion) for implementing 246 urgent flood mitigation projects, deputy government spokesman Charitrat Chantarubeksa said Tuesday. He said the budget was to manage and renovate watergates, floodwalls and diversion systems and dredge canals. Some 15.5 billion Baht (about RM1.55 billion) would be spent on projects on the eastern side of the Chao Phraya River and the balance on the western side, he said. Meanwhile, the Cabinet meeting today also approved the extension of the emergency decree in the three southern provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani for three more months, from March 20 to June 19. Acting government spokesman Anusorn Lamsa-ard said the Cabinet agreed to the 27th extension of the decree as proposed by the National Security Council. The three provinces were placed under the emergency decree in 2004 after suspected separatists resumed their armed campaign to seek independence for the areas eight years ago, leaving more than 5,000 people dead. (US$1=RM3.02) -- BERNAMA