Myanmar, Thai villagers jointly build dykes

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, THAILAND, January 26 (TNA) - Myanmar and Thai villagers are joining hands in constructing dykes in each other country to help ease drought during this year's dry season. Under a joint programme called "two dykes, two rivers, two nations", the Thai side, comprising volunteer villagers, community leaders, air force and border patrol police officers in Klong Wan Sub-district of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province in the Upper Thai South and led by Muang District Chief of Prachuap Khiri Khan Somporn Pajchimpet, joined the Myanmar side to begin constructing a dyke in Klong Wan area on Tuesday amid the chilly weather. The Myanmar and Thai sides, numbered more than 1,000, placed sandbags in a brook and used discarded materials to build the dyke, aimed at storing water for local consumption during the summer season. According to the district chief, the construction of the dyke is also aimed at creating public awareness on conserving water and sound relationship between Myanmar and Thai people. The district chief said Thai villagers from Klong Wan areas will cross the Singkhon Border Checkpoint to help construct a similar dyke on the Myanmar side reciprocally on January 29. (TNA)