Assistant government Spokesman Colonel Atisit Chaiyanuwat said yesterday that the new organisation would be called the “National Office of Water Resources” and would work under the Office of the Prime Minister.

“The move aims at boosting the efficiency of water management and providing solutions to water-related problems,” he said. “The order to integrate water-management agencies will be issued under the Article 44.”

Atisit disclosed the plan after an NCPO meeting.

Article 44 gives General Prayut Chan-o-cha, who is both NCPO chief and prime minister, near absolute powers.

Prayut also said that HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn had expressed concerns for people in flood-hit areas after listening to reports about the situation.

“His Majesty has suggested that sustainable solutions to each area be introduced first if it is not possible to tackle the whole system at once,” Prayut said.

Since July 5, floods have ravaged 44 provinces causing both casualties and property damage. As of press time, flooding was still a problem in 10 provinces.

Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute’s adviser Royol Chitradon said the integration of water-management projects and the sharing of budgets and resources could be useful.

However, he said he did not think all 35 water-related agencies could be put under the same agency.

Royol said that apart from the Royal Irrigation Department, which was directly involved in water management, there were also agencies such as the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, which managed hydroelectric dams and waterworks authorities.

“Wastewater and water pollution are also related to water. This means the Natural Resource and Environment Ministry and the Science Ministry also have water-related missions,” he said. “I don’t think the relevant agencies will be merged.”