PM Inspects Khlong Rian Retention Basin in Hat Yai
Thai PM inspects Khlong Rian retention basin in Songkhla, pushing for budget to expand water capacity to 1 million cubic meters for Hat Yai flood defense.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Thai PM inspected the Khlong Rian water retention basin in Kho Hong, Hat Yai, Songkhla.
- Plans aim to expand capacity from 530,000 to a total of 1 million cubic meters.
- Measures pair with Khlong Toei drainage projects to protect 103 urban communities.
At 09:00 on September 1, government spokesperson Ms. Rachada Dhnadirek reported on the official inspection led by Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul alongside the cabinet. The delegation visited the Khlong Rian water retention basin located in Tambon Kho Hong, Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, to monitor the enhancement project of the basin and the overall flood prevention system for Hat Yai city, prior to presiding over a mobile cabinet meeting at Prince of Songkla University.
During the site visit, Hat Yai Mayor Narongphon Phonphatluang briefed the Prime Minister, explaining that the Khlong Rian basin functions to capture and decelerate runoff originating from Khao Kho Hong and surrounding areas before releasing it into Khlong Rian, Khlong Wa, and Khlong U Taphao. This network effectively reduces the volume of floodwater surging directly into downtown Hat Yai and Kho Hong sub-district.
Presently, the retention basin covers approximately 85 rai of land with a water storage capacity of 530,000 cubic meters. Hat Yai Municipality has completed design blueprints for an upgrade project to increase capacity to 780,000 cubic meters, which has already been submitted for inclusion in the 2028 water resources management action plan.
"The government wants the people of Hat Yai to be safe from flooding, and the Khlong Rian retention basin serves as a vital structure for retaining and slowing down water."
Anutin Charnvirakul
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The Prime Minister emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring safety for Hat Yai residents against flood hazards, noting that the Khlong Rian basin acts as a critical infrastructure piece to manage and delay water influx into the municipal zone. Furthermore, the government intends to allocate budgets for constructing an additional 25 rai of retention areas within the municipality, raising the total capacity benchmark to 1 million cubic meters.
Water management in southern regions such as Hat Yai, Songkhla, frequently encounters challenges stemming from basin topography receiving mountain runoff. Combining retention strategies via monkey cheeks (Kaem Ling) with accelerated drainage channels like Khlong Toei represents a vital tactical approach to peak flow shaving, preventing simultaneous surges into inner economic zones and mitigating long-term economic and property losses.
This initiative integrates seamlessly with supplementary municipal drainage enhancements, including the Phase 1 Khlong Toei drainage efficiency project and the lower Khlong Toei drainage improvement project. Together, they establish a systematic approach combining water detention and rapid discharge, aiming to safeguard economic zones and minimize flood risks across 103 communities within the Hat Yai municipality.
Source: Matichon Politics
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