CHIANG RAI – On August 26, 2025, Mr. Anukool Pruksanusak, the Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, announced that the Cabinet had approved a budget of 2,059 million baht for the 2025 fiscal year from the central emergency reserve. This money is set aside to help people with electricity costs affected by floods and to fund recovery projects in Chiang Rai province.

The main part of the budget, 1,696 million baht, is assigned to the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) to cover relief measures for households and small businesses in areas declared as disaster zones due to flooding.

These areas span 18 provinces, including Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Tak, Phichit, Uttaradit, Phrae, Nan, Uthai Thani, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, Bueng Kan, and Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya.

For September 2024, eligible customers in these provinces will not have to pay their electricity bills. For October 2024, a 30 percent discount will be given on electricity bills before value-added tax is calculated.

Another part of the funding supports flood recovery in Chiang Rai. The Cabinet has approved 363.62 million baht for 18 specific projects in Chiang Rai. The funds will be drawn from the central budget as permitted by law and regulations.

The approved projects in Chiang Rai include:

Light Festival “Luang Saeng Wiang Chiang Hai” with a budget of 9.68 million baht.
Repairing and protecting national highways damaged by floods (Highway 131, bypassing Chiang Rai city, km 8+700 to km 9+300) with 45 million baht.
Upgrading reinforced concrete roads and building public drainage systems in Mueang Daeng Community, Mai Sai District, with 52.23 million baht.
Improving roads and drainage in Ko Sai Community, Mai Sai District, with 24.04 million baht.
Road and drainage improvements in Mai Lung Khon Community, Mai Sai District, with 53.20 million baht.
Upgrading reinforced concrete road and public drainage on Lom Joy to Doi Wao road, Doi Wao Community, Wiang Phang Kham Subdistrict, with 12.18 million baht.
Improving roads and drainage in Pa Yang Chum Community, Mai Sai District, with 12.18 million baht.
Constructing a concrete road along the irrigation canal in Rim Kok Subdistrict, to help people get around and reduce flood risk, with 3.28 million baht.
Improving and repairing the wastewater treatment system using a budget of 17.65 million baht.
Integrated flood recovery and economic stimulation in Chiang Rai with 9.33 million baht.
Repairing key infrastructure like Highway 1232 (Anusawari Phokhun Mengrai to Wiang Chai, km 0+000 to km 2+000) with 45 million baht.
Repairing riverbank protection at parks along the Kok River in Fang Min, Rong Suea Ten, and Pa Daeng communities with 25 million baht.
Enhancing drainage capacity within Chiang Rai city with a fund of 17.63 million baht.
Fixing riverbank protection at Koh Loi park with 14.23 million baht.
Renovating sidewalks on Kong Kham Road in Nam Lat Community, with 5 million baht.
Upgrading the solid waste landfill system with 15 million baht.
Paving Asphaltic Concrete and improving sidewalks on Kraisornsit Road with 1.8 million baht.
Promoting community product marketing channels with 1.19 million baht.

In addition, there is a riverbank protection project for the Kok River at Thana Rak Army Village in Rim Kok Subdistrict of Chiang Rai. This project has a budget of 29.1 million baht and is awaiting approval to use state-owned land.

Once approved, Chiang Rai will seek funding through the proper channels. These initiatives aim to ease the burden on people affected by floods and speed up recovery in hard-hit areas.