PM heads to Uttaradit to examine flood prevention plans

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra begins a five-day trip today to observe rehabilitation and flood prevention plans in both upstream and downstream provinces hit by last year's flooding.

Accompanied by her ministers, Yingluck will visit northern province of Uttaradit on Monday to review water management at Sirikit Dam.

About 200 plainclothes and uniformed police officers have been deployed to provide security to the prime minister during her visit, said Uttaradit Deputy Governor Nawin Sinthusa-ard.

The premier's upcountry trip is scheduled to run from today through Friday (Feb 13-17).

After Uttaradit, she will travel to inspect a water resource development project and a water retention area in Phitsanulok's Bang Rakam district before leaving for Nakhon Sawan to observe other water management projects aimed at preventing flooding, as well as the Bueng Boraphet freshwater swamp.

In Chai Nat, she will follow up improvements to water management at Chao Phraya Dam and other sluice gates before visiting a water retention area in Lop Buri.

Yingluck will convene a meeting on a flood prevention plan for downstream areas with representatives from industrial sectors and entrepreneurs in Ayutthaya before returning to Bangkok on Friday.