Minister: Thailand's drought must be national priority

People taking pictures at the ruins of a Buddhist temple which has resurfaced in a dried-up dam due to drought, in Lopburi. Thailand's Energy Minister on Tuesday (Jan 14) said the severe drought hitting the country should be a national priority as rice fields dry out and Bangkok's tap water turns salty. - Reuters

BANGKOK: Thailand's Energy Minister on Tuesday (Jan 14) said the severe drought hitting the country should be a national priority as rice fields dry out and Bangkok's tap water turns salty.

Energy minister Sontirat Sontijirawong chaired a meeting on how to handle what the meteorological department has said would be one of the worst droughts Thailand has seen in some 40 years, which is expected to last until June.