RID confirms there is enough water for Songkran festival

BANGKOK, April 13 (TNA) -- The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) opens 126 service areas to support the Songkran festival and assures there is enough water for the Thai traditional New Year. Sanchai Ketworrachai, director-general of the department, said the 126 service areas where travelers could rest for safety were set on main and minor roads nationwide between 8.30am and 4.30pm from April 12 to 17. At the service areas, visitors would be served with drinking water and snacks and also have clean toilets. Farm products with discounts are also available at some of the service areas, including rice, fruits and processed farm products. “For this Songkran festival, people can use water in irrigation zones. The Royal Irrigation Department allocates water for the purpose while also reserving it for consumption and farming. There is surely enough water for the Songkran water festival,” Mr Sanchai said. His department has not declared any drought-stricken zone. However, he encouraged people outside irrigation areas to save water. The areas are in 105 districts of 34 provinces. (TNA)