Prince, Princess inspect flood work

In remarks to officials and Cabinet members present in the entourage, the prince graciously told them to “learn from past les?sons” in efforts to prevent flooding, the Royal Irrigation Department chief Lertwiroj Kowatthana said. 

 

The prince and royal consort were greeted by a large number of well-wishers along both sides of a 6km section of the 28km-long Maha Sawas canal, a man-made watercourse linking Bangkok’s Watthana district with Phuttha Monthol and Nakhon Chaisri in Nakhon Pathom province. 

 

Army commander General Prayuth Chan-ocha said His Royal Highness was pleased with the effi?ciency of all flood prevention work, and thanked the government, the RID and relevant state agencies for their efforts. “His Royal Highness has also given a suggestion that the Maha Sawas Canal be developed into a tourist attraction, and the government has heeded to his sug?gestion,” the general added.

 

At a request by the government, His Royal Highness granted per?mission for it to deploy personnel and army engineers from the Armed Forces Development Command under the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters to assist many flood prevention works together with civilian agencies. 

 

The Prince and Princess trav?elled to Nakhon Pathom in a motor?cade, and later boarded a barge, Kor Ror 911, at Wat Suwannaram pier, where they bestowed offerings to the abbot and its main Buddha image, before travelling along the Maha Sawas. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Army chief Prayuth and RID head Lertwiroj gave reports on projects to them along the way, and throughout the trip.

 

The maritime entourage stopped at two sites, including Phra Phimol water management station, where they gave garlands to the statue of King Rama V and signed the visitor’s book. A villager, Phanee Maksudpran, 66, said she was happy with the visit and wished them longevity and good health. She expressed hope that the work will help prevent flooding this year.