Politics
Thailand Invests 21 Billion Baht in Lower Huai Luang Water Management Project
The Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) is advancing a 21-billion-baht project in Nong Khai and Udon Thani to mitigate floods and droughts.
On August 4, 2026, Chayan Mueangsong, Secretary-General of the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR), announced progress on the Lower Huai Luang water management project. According to Khaosod Online, the 21-billion-baht initiative aims to address recurring flood and drought issues in Udon Thani and Nong Khai provinces.
A central component of the project is the Ban Daen Mueang pumping station in Phon Phisai, Nong Khai, which is currently over 85% complete. This facility is designed for dual-purpose water management: during the rainy season, it utilizes ten pumps to discharge water from the Huai Luang stream into the Mekong River at a rate of 150 cubic meters per second. Conversely, during the dry season, it can pump water from the Mekong back into the area for storage.
For residents and travelers, this project is significant as it seeks to stabilize water availability and reduce flood risks in the region. While the project faced delays due to land acquisition challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Water Resources Committee has approved an extension until 2032. This extension includes plans for 20 additional 'monkey cheek' (kaem ling) water retention areas, aiming to increase total storage capacity to over 250 million cubic meters. The proposal for the extended timeline and budget is currently awaiting final approval from the Cabinet.
Translated from Thai.
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