The briefing came at a meeting held during Ms Sabida’s visit to the offices of the Phuket branch of the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA Phuket).
The visit was to evaluate ongoing water management efforts and review long-term sustainability plans, said an official report of the meeting.
The visit is part of the government’s commitment to addressing water management challenges and ensuring consistent access to clean water across the region, the report said.
Ms Sabida was accompanied by senior officials, including Witthaya Samsuwan, Deputy Governor of the national PWA agency, and Singhachai Inthapichai, Director of PWA Region 4.
Representatives from local and provincial planning departments, including Thiraphong Chuaychu (previously the Kathu District Chief, promoted to Chief Administrative Officer (Palad) for Phuket Province on Nov 18), also participated in the discussions.
The meeting, held at the PWA Phuket offices at Bang Wad Reservoir in Kathu, focused on water supply services across seven provinces in the upper southern region.
Officials provided updates on the PWA’s performance, particularly its effective handling of last year’s drought crisis, and outlined plans to enhance water infrastructure and services.
Ms Sabida commended the PWA Region 4 team for their efforts, emphasising the importance of integrating cooperation among agencies to manage water resources sustainably, said the local report by officials.
Ms Sabida highlighted two key long-term projects:
- Expansion of Water Supply Infrastructure: The project to improve and expand the Provincial Waterworks Authority Phang Nga Branch to Phuket is set to be completed within one to two years.
- Ratchaprapha Dam Water Delivery Project: A study is underway for a major initiative to supply water from the Ratchaprapha Dam to Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi. The project is expected to provide a sustainable solution to the region’s water demands.
“Phuket’s current water production capacity is sufficient, but these projects will ensure long-term stability, especially during dry seasons,” Ms Sabida said, according to the official report.
Later in the day, Ms. Sabida and her team inspected the Bang Wad Reservoir in Kathu, which serves as the island’s main water supply reservoir.
Officials briefed her on contingency plans for the upcoming dry season, said the report.
The team then travelled to Phang Nga Province to review progress on the infrastructure expansion project at the Khum Muang Water Production Station.