In the past, Bangkok and its vicinity were affected by heavy flooding, mainly due to the arrival of floodwater from the North coinciding with high tides around October and November. As a result, Bangkok, which is Thailand’s economic center, suffered a great loss from the flood-related damage. Aware of this problem, His Majesty the King suggested that Khlong Lat Pho, a short-cut canal, in Samut Prakan be improved in Bang Krachao subdistrict for greater efficiency in facilitating the water flow. Initially, the Lat Pho Canal was only 10-15 meters wide at a depth of just 1-2 meters.
In response to His Majesty’s initiative, the Royal Irrigation Department launched the Royally Initiated Lat Pho Improvement Project in 2003 and the project was completed in 2005. The purpose was to increase the width and depth of the short-cut canal to drain floodwater into the sea more quickly. With this improvement project, the water flow from the Chao Phraya River now travels only 600 meters, as against the 18 kilometers of the natural course, reducing the time for the flow from five hours to just 10 minutes. The project can now lower water levels in the lower Chao Phraya basin by draining about 40 million cubic meters of water a day to the Gulf of Thailand.
Moreover, the floodgates of the Lat Pho Canal are opened and closed on various occasions. For instance, they will be closed during the drought season to prevent the return of seawater to the Chao Phraya River. During the high tide of seawater, the floodgates will be closed, as well, and they will be opened when the seawater recedes.
Later, on 17 November 2006, His Majesty the King recommended that a study be conducted on the use of hydropower drained through the Lat Pho Canal. He said, “The Lat Pho Canal project will bring about enormous benefit, if its drained water can also be use for other purposes.”
In response to His Majesty’s wishes, the Royal Irrigation Department and Kasetsart University have joined forces in inventing a dynamo and perform experiments on model turbine power based on water passing through this short-cut canal. Kasetsart University is in the process of registering a patent for the invented dynamo on behalf of His Majesty the King. The patent registration will be presented to Majesty the King in recognition of his innovation.
On 24 November 2010, His Majesty the King, accompanied by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, traveled by boat from Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok to Khlong Lat Pho in Phra Padaeng, Samut Prakan province, to preside over the inauguration of two bridges and the floodgates of this short-cut canal. The boat trip was regarded as His Majesty’s first boat trip in four years after his travel in a royal barge procession to present robes to Buddhist monks at Wat Arun, or the Temple of Dawn, in a royal kathin ceremony. It brought great joy to the people, especially those who had a chance to have an audience with him.