Among these provinces were Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nakhon Ratchasima, Kanchanaburi, Phichit and Phitsanulok.

“Speaking on the number of affected villages, about 4.5 per cent of all villages in the country are now suffering from water shortage,” Chatchai said.

He added that his department was now working with provincial authorities in delivering help to affected people and best managing available water resources.

Chatchai said soldiers would be deployed around some water sources to prevent anyone from illegally pumping water from public channels onto their land.

“Locals will be engaged in laying down water-usage rules. This is to ensure that people have equal and fair access to water,” he said.

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha said his government had already tried to lower the drought risks.

“But there has been so little rain over the past year.”

The PM said his government had already dug thousands of wells to cope with the water shortage.