Hat yai: In a strategic move to address the persistent flood risks in Hat Yai, a comprehensive “ring road-drainage canal” plan has been put forth to ensure sustainable flood prevention. The initiative was spearheaded by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, during a national academic conference on disaster prevention and mitigation held at the Palm Conference Room in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province. The event was chaired by Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, with Deputy Prime Minister Professor Dr. Bowornsak Uwanno also in attendance.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Pipat highlighted the recent severe flooding in Hat Yai District as a critical warning sign of the existing drainage system’s inadequacy. The city experienced flooding from three different directions, overwhelming the sole drainage route into Songkhla Lake via the U-Tapao Canal. The high water levels rendered pumping stations inefficient, resulting in substantial flooding in the inner city.
Mr. Pipat, under the direction of the Prime Minister, along with Prof. Dr. Bowornsak, conducted an in-depth analysis of the flood situation, leading a team from the Ministry of Transport to survey the affected areas. Discussions involved key figures from the Ministry of Transport, local authorities, and academics from Prince of Songkla University. The focus was not only on immediate post-flood rehabilitation but also on long-term infrastructure planning to prevent future occurrences.
In the short term, the Ministry of Transport aims to work with relevant agencies to enhance the city’s drainage capacity by widening and deepening key canals and improving water gates and pumping stations. The long-term strategy involves constructing the Hat Yai City Ring Road, designed as a dual-purpose infrastructure to manage both traffic and water drainage. The plan includes building parallel drainage canals along the ring road, equipped with water management systems to efficiently channel water into Songkhla Lake.
Mr. Pipat stressed the importance of a multi-ministerial collaboration to implement this plan as a national model, involving the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and the National Economic and Social Development Council. The goal is to develop a comprehensive water management master plan that integrates roads, canals, and water gates into a unified system, thereby safeguarding the city against future floods.