Thai junta to spend US$7.5b on water projects in 2015-16: minister

[BANGKOK] Thailand's military government plans to invest 244 billion Thai baht (US$7.5 billion) on urgent water management projects over the next two years, the commerce minister said on Wednesday.

The military government is trying to tackle economic problems after taking power in May to end months of political unrest.

Commerce Minister General Chatchai Sakulya told reporters the projects would help resolve problems caused by drought.

The junta will spend 110 billion baht this year and the rest next year, he said, adding the funding will come from the annual budget and borrowing.

The projects are part of a new 10-year water management plan aimed at solving all water-related problems across the country after the government scrapped a 350-billion baht water plan initiated by the previous admistration.

REUTERS