Restructuring for water agencies, but not merger
Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha is planning to exercise his special powers under Article 44 to restructure water-related agencies – but not to merge them.
Earlier this week, it was reported that water-related agencies would be put under the Office of the Prime Minister via Article 44 of the Interim Constitution. Some confusion then emerged as to whether the move would constitute the merging of agencies.
“Not, it’s not the merging. It’s about the restructuring that will also be in line with the upcoming Water Management Act,” Prayut clarified on Friday.
Article 44 of the interim constitution gives the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) chief overwhelming power.
At present, the National Legislative Assembly is deliberating the Water Management Bill.
“The Article 44 will be invoked while the bill is still in the process of becoming legislation,” he said.
Thailand has had several water-related problems such as floods and drought. Since July 1, inundation ravaged more than half of the country’s provinces.
Prayut said the new structure of water-related agencies should increase integration of systems and resources, allowing the country to achieve better water management.
