Jirasak “Man” Meesuang, 41, started digging the canal with a shovel in 2003. It measures 10 metres in depth, one metre in width and one kilometre long on 5,000-rai of wetland.
The locals had been using the canal to grow morning glory, raise fish stock and taking their buffalo there for water.
However, the canal has recently suffered a saltwater condition as the Songkhla Lake overflowed and leaked into the wetland, resulting in dead crops and undrinkable water.
Man requested the chief district to help solve the problem.
Officials in Hat Yai district have responded to the situation and are seeking resolutions in both short term and long term.