“The water banks will require the punching of three holes that are deep enough to reach the aquifer. It’s like putting money in the bank. This water can be drawn when required. Thailand has heavy rains, but there is nothing in place to collect this water. This is why the water bank project is suitable,” he said.

Praphat Phothasuthon, also a deputy agriculture minister, added that heavy rains brought by the tropical depression Wipha has relieved the drought situation in the North and Northeast. The dry season was expected to damage 1.2 million rai of rice fields in the country.