Bangkok: The Prime Minister chaired a meeting with the National Economic and Social Development Council to find ways to manage water resources, using the Hat Yai floods as a model. The meeting, held with the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), focused on strategies for water resource management, particularly in the southern region of Thailand. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of learning from past experiences, such as the Hat Yai floods, to implement effective prevention and relief measures for natural disasters like flooding.
According to Thai News Agency, the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul led the 2nd meeting of the Joint Public-Private Sector Committee for Economic Problem Solving (JPPSEC) in 2026. The meeting was attended by several key figures, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Supajee Suthamphan, Minister of Industry Varawut Silpa-archa, and Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office Paradorn Prisnanantakul, along with representatives from the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Federation of Thai Industries, and other private sector representatives and relevant agencies.
The Prime Minister highlighted that, following a previous meeting, a resolution was passed to establish four subcommittees aimed at driving forward key economic issues and finding solutions. The current meeting focused on the National Economic and Social Council's (NESC) consideration of water management strategies designed to address and mitigate the impacts of flooding and drought. These issues significantly affect the agricultural sector, businesses, and the broader economy, including tourism. The government is prioritizing a unified approach to water management, employing technology to aid decision-making and implement effective measures. The meeting sought contributions to establish a collaborative approach that would lead to timely implementation of solutions.
The Prime Minister also underscored the significance of addressing the flood problem, particularly in the southern region, which experienced severe flooding in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, last year. The lessons learned from that event have been carefully analyzed, and contingency plans are in development. 'In any case, we can't completely block the water; that's nature. But we must be prepared in terms of prevention, assistance, facilitation, and support to ensure these measures are as effective as possible,' the Prime Minister stated.