Chiang Rai: The Prime Minister visited Sai Lom Joy Market to follow up on the plan to dredge the river to cope with flooding and alleviate suffering. He stressed that action must be taken quickly because the water does not wait for us. According to Thai News Agency, at Sai Lom Joy Market, Wiang Phan Kham Subdistrict, Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai Province, Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister, and her team visited the area to follow up on the plan to dredge the river to solve the flooding problem. Mr. Phumtham Vejjayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Mr. Suriya Juangroongruangkit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Gen. Nattapol Nakphanit, Deputy Minister of Defense, Mr. Chulaphan Amornvivat, Deputy Minister of Finance, Ms. Thirat Samretwanich, Deputy Minister of Interior, military units, and related agencies were waiting to receive them and summarize the operational situation in the area. Upon arrival, they greeted the local people to ask how they were and if things we re getting better. The Prime Minister then listened to a briefing from the Secretary-General of ONWR, who made nine phone calls warning of flooding in the Sai River and the Myanmar side, and summarized the operations of the Army Development Command, Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning, on measures to prevent and reduce the impact of flooding and mudslides in the Sai River basin, which is divided into management zones, including dredging mud and sediment in the riverbed to increase drainage efficiency, creating temporary barriers that will alleviate the suffering of many households living along the riverbank, and prevent landslides. Overall, the work will be expedited to be completed before May 2025. The military has asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to help coordinate negotiations with the Myanmar side about expanding the waterway into Thailand. However, the process may be delayed because some people both agree and disagree with the matter. The Department of Public Works and Town a nd Country Planning explained the temporary water barriers in the river and the permanent ones in the road areas that need to be raised. The Prime Minister gave the idea that he wanted the plan to be studied clearly to avoid duplication. "I would like to urge you to take action quickly because the water will not wait for us. If another wave of water and soil comes, it will be too much," the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister then walked to greet representatives of the Thai Lue Association who had come to support the government and help expedite the resolution of the problem. The Prime Minister said that he asked us to help each other.