The Finance Minister stated that the Ministry of Finance was assigned by the government to execute “Thai people keep canals clean” project in 277 canals in Bangkok and surrounding provinces. The project is considered a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) project with local people, temple, schools, private and government sectors invited to sustainably preserve canals. Moreover, the project will help prevent flood.

The premier added that communities around canals were badly affected by the past flood crisis due to the blockage in canals especially in Bangkok and surrounding provinces. Hence, the government assigned the army to dredge 277 canals in Bangkok and surrounding provinces to increase drainage efficiency, improve the view and attract tourists. The government asked for cooperation from private sector and the communities to keep those canals clean.

The government will cooperate with private organizations to dredge and clean additional canals with the goal of 307 more canals. The project will be under the coordination between the Ministry of Finance and private sector. The principle of the project is “canals are jointly owned by the people and private sector”.

PM Yingluck also stated that in order to keep all the canals clean and surrounding areas beautiful, the government must receive cooperation from private sector and the local community in each area.

Later, the Prime Minister witnessed the pledging and the launch of canal police team. The premier also presented canal cleaning equipment to community representatives from Bangchan and Bua-Kaew communities, visited exhibition around Sam-Wa canal, signed the declaration and gave stickers to the people in the area.