Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has expressed concern over the perennial water problem on the island. He said he had been getting letters from both locals and residents complaining about the acute water shortage on the island. The government, he added, would study ways to remedy the problem.

Abhisit asked the PWA to hold consultations with business operators on the island on how best to tackle Samui’s water problem.

The Cabinet, meanwhile, has approved a Bt13.7 billion master plan for the Provincial Waterworks Authority's (PWA). The master plan calls for the improvement of water supply facilities in the country from 2010 to 2012.

Deputy government spokesman Supachai Chaisamut said that for 2010 alone, 12 projects would be undertaken costing about Bt4.2 billion.

Three of them, worth Bt992.7 million, are part of the Thai Khemkhaeng stimulus package. The rest, worth Bt3.2 billion, will be financed through PWA bonds, which will be guaranteed by the Finance Ministry.

The Cabinet also acknowledged the financial cooperation pact between the Thai and Japanese governments for the financing of the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority's investment plan. The pact will be submitted to the Council of State for endorsement.