BANGKOK, Thailand – The Thai government is issuing an urgent warning as the nation’s booming eastern economic hub faces a looming water crisis.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has sounded the alarm regarding the approaching El Niño phenomenon, urging the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) to significantly increase its reserves of potable and cooling water. The anticipated severe drought next year poses a substantial threat to this vital industrial and tourism region.
Water Demand Set to Nearly Double by 2027
Pressure on water resources in the provinces of Chon Buri, Rayong, and Chachoengsao is rapidly escalating. Government figures indicate that water consumption in the EEC, fueled by the establishment of new data centers and large factories, is projected to surge to 2.9 billion cubic meters annually by 2027. This represents an almost twofold increase from current demand levels.
Meteorologists are simultaneously forecasting significantly reduced rainfall and extreme heat due to El Niño. This combination of rising demand and diminished supply is expected to create immense strain on the region’s water resources, which is a critical economic zone for the country.
Only 44 Percent Capacity in Reservoirs
Compounding the crisis, the 16 large and medium-sized reservoirs in the region are currently at concerningly low levels. These reservoirs have a combined capacity of 1.46 billion cubic meters, but they hold only 534 million cubic meters of water. This translates to a mere 44 percent utilization rate, indicating a dire shortage.
Authorities have allocated 1.06 billion cubic meters of water from reservoirs for the current rainy season in 2026. Of this allocation, 526 million cubic meters are designated for agriculture, 217 million for industry, and 169 million for households and the tourism sector. The current low levels paint a grim picture for these planned distributions.
Anutin’s Clear Message to Planners
Prime Minister Anutin is pushing for a complete shift in approach. He emphasized that the government must move beyond reactive measures and utilize weather forecasts to proactively plan water allocation. This foresight is crucial to avert a crisis.
“Mr. Anutin stressed that water management must prioritize the needs of the public,”
said government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek. The planning must ensure that agriculture and industry do not compete for water, and that the quality of life for the populace remains unaffected by water scarcity.
39 Projects Fast-Tracked
To prevent a complete collapse of the water supply system, the government is accelerating 39 water development projects. The primary objective is to increase the water reserves within the EEC by an additional 909 million cubic meters. This ambitious undertaking aims to bolster the region’s capacity to withstand the impending drought.
Currently, 23 of these projects have secured funding, with 19 already completed. These finished projects have added 258 million cubic meters of storage capacity to the water grid. Four ongoing construction sites are expected to contribute another 109 million cubic meters upon their completion.
Smart Factories to Combat Water Shortage
However, the development of new storage facilities alone is insufficient to address the crisis. Authorities are mandating that heavy industries transition to water-saving “Smart Factories”. This initiative aims to significantly reduce industrial water consumption.
Farmers are also being instructed to strictly adhere to planting and allocation schedules. These measures are intended to minimize crop damage and financial losses for agricultural producers. Concurrently, the Eastern Water Grid will play a crucial role in pumping and rerouting scarce water resources to drought-stricken areas.
Researchers Warn of Super El Niño
The government’s concerns are amplified by a dire forecast from marine and environmental scientist Thon Thamrongnawasawat. He believes a massive Super-El-Niño event is possible later this year. The most severe impacts are anticipated to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026 and persist into the early months of the following year.
Beyond acute water shortages, this intensified event raises the risk of rising sea temperatures and widespread coral die-off in the region. The scientific community’s warnings underscore the urgency of the situation.