Background
To ensure efficient water resource management, the Cabinet established a "National Water Vision" framework on July 25, 2000. This vision led to the development of the "National Water Policy," approved by the Cabinet on October 31, 2000. This policy, aligned with the 1997 Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, emphasizes an integrated water management approach focusing on the coordination, development, and management of water resources alongside other related resources, while prioritizing environmental impacts to maximize economic and social benefits.
The reform of the civil service system in late 2002 resulted in the establishment of the Department of Water Resources as a government agency with the primary mission of comprehensive water resource management. Its functions include advising on policies, developing master plans, conducting research, developing conservation and restoration of water sources, and promoting and supporting public participation through river basin subcommittees. This aligns with government policy to enhance the role of citizens in government work, from brainstorming and presenting opinions to implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. The goal is to build acceptance of government plans, projects, and activities that effectively and sustainably develop local communities.
Subsequently, the Head of the National Council for Peace and Order issued Order No. 46/2017, dated October 25, 2017, and Order No. 2/2018, dated January 22, 2018, establishing the National Water Resources Office as the primary agency for policy management of the country's water resources. This order transferred the responsibilities and personnel of the Department of Water Resources, including policy and plan recommendations for national water resources, preparation of national water resource management action plans, cross-basin water resource management, coordination with foreign countries and international organizations on water resource management, monitoring and evaluation, and the functioning of the secretariat of the National Water Resources Committee, to the National Water Resources Office.
Through the dedication and commitment of the Department of Water Resources to propose legislation for the efficient and effective management of the country's water resources—including allocation, utilization, development, management, maintenance, restoration, conservation, and water rights—which will benefit public utilities and other public interests, the Water Resources Act B.E. 2561 (2018) was published in the Royal Gazette, Volume 135, Section 112 A, on December 28, 2018.
