Thai premier asserts enough water until July

BANGKOK, April 13 (TNA) -- Prome Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-o-cha said after yesterday's weekly Cabinet meeting that there would be enough water for consumption until the month of July. The premier said that there is no need to worry about the water situation as there would be an adequate amount of water until July, noting that if by then the rain has yet failed to fall, under-groundwater sources might have to be dug up to provide more water to the people. He said what must be urgently done now is to create understanding among farmers to refrain from growing rice to ensure that there would be enough water for consumption, as the farmers have never been made aware of how to wisely use water for agriculture. The prime minister pointed out that if the people is not provided with enough knowledge on how to properly use water, they would continue to use all of it, when in reality the usage of water should be divided into three parts for consumption, agriculture, and to sustain the ecological system. He said the government has been warning the people that the country is currently lacking water, but most failed to listen. He noted that he understands that farmers have very little choices and so they must be provided with more knowledge to better grasp the severity of the situation. (TNA)