Chiang mai: The Prime Minister delivered a project to enhance the potential of the Ping River and create water security. The Prime Minister launched a project to increase the Ping River’s capacity and flow to prevent flooding in Chiang Mai’s urban area. The project aims to increase the river’s capacity and restore water security to the people of Chiang Mai.
According to Thai News Agency, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, accompanied by an entourage including Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office Napintorn Srisanpang, Deputy Minister of Defense Lieutenant General Adul Boonthamcharoen, Deputy Minister of Defense Songsak Thongsri, Deputy Minister of Interior Sakda Wichiensilp, Deputy Minister of Interior Ms. Traisulee Traisaranakul, Secretary-General to the Prime Minister, Mr. Arsit Sampantharat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, and Mr. Phumwisan Kasemsuk, Secretary-General of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), traveled from Military Airport 2, Wing 6 (Don Mueang Air Base), Bangkok, to Military Airport 41, Wing 41, Suthep Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chiang Mai Province.
The Prime Minister presided over the handover ceremony for the project to increase the capacity and flow of the Ping River to prevent flooding in Chiang Mai City, an urgent matter, in the public utility area along the Ping River (at the base of the Mengrai Bridge) in Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai Province. He also presided over the handover ceremony of the project to the Governor of Chiang Mai Province, the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Armed Forces.
The Chiang Mai Governor stated that Chiang Mai province experienced flooding in September 2024, causing widespread damage to lives and property, impacting the economy worth over 5 billion baht, and requiring compensation payments. Chiang Mai province has received government funding to prevent and address these problems in the immediate term. This includes dredging over 41 kilometers of the Ping River. During the 2025 rainy season, when Chiang Mai province was hit by numerous storms, the Ping River’s water level increased, minimizing impacts and damages. This also boosted public confidence and created economic opportunities in the area.
The Prime Minister expressed his great pleasure in witnessing and congratulating the successful completion of the project to increase the Ping River’s carrying capacity and flow to prevent flooding in Chiang Mai’s urban area in the immediate term. Over the past several years, flooding in Chiang Mai has caused enormous damage to life, property, and the province’s economy.
This project is therefore not simply dredging or removing soil from the waterway. It aims to reduce and eliminate long-standing problems and tangibly restore water security to the people of Chiang Mai. I would like to commend all relevant agencies, from the Royal Irrigation Department, the Royal Thai Army, particularly the Chiang Mai Provincial Army Development Command, and local authorities for their strong collaboration against the clock to ensure the efficient disposal of these wastes. It is also encouraging that the government, military, and local authorities are joining forces to support development and alleviate suffering for the people.
This project will increase river capacity, deepen and widen the river, increase water capacity, and reduce the chance of overflowing the city’s banks. This will alleviate flooding in Chiang Mai and provide stability during the dry season, allowing for increased water storage and ensuring sufficient water for the community during the dry season.
For both consumption and agriculture, the dredged river also benefits from high-quality water that can be used for various purposes, reducing the burden on the government budget. This project is considered an important starting point for sustainable water management in the Ping River.
From now on, we must continue to work on two main issues: continuous maintenance and comprehensive water management from upstream to downstream. This includes preventing forest encroachment and managing waterway obstructions to ensure a systematic and safe flow from north to south for all communities. The government will continue to support the next phase of the plan to develop a complete and sustainable water management infrastructure throughout the province and the entire Ping River basin. This achievement is the result of the cooperation of all parties, so everyone is encouraged to continue this collaborative effort. We must work together to maintain the river as a waterway that nurtures life, prosperity, and pride for the people of Chiang Mai and all visitors to Chiang Mai.
Before leading the group to release fish along the Ping River, including carp and catfish from the Chiang Mai Freshwater Aquaculture Research and Development Center, totaling 100,000 fish, the Prime Minister carried kindergarten 2-3 students from Suan Dek Chiang Mai Kindergarten School to release the fish. The Prime Minister joked with the children, “Would you like me to release you too?” before accidentally dropping the fish bucket, creating laughter and amusement for the children and the group.