The Monkey Cheek, or 'kaem ling', Project is a method of flood prevention supported by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej in which large areas of low lying land and many inter-connected canals are used as retention ponds storing flood waters. In 1995 he said, 'Is water beneficial or harmful? The truth is that water, or anything in this wide world is, by nature, both good and bad. If we make good use of it, it will be beneficial. If we misuse it, it will be harmful.'
Water gates developed to support flood prevention. (Source: http://www.thailandtatler.com/tag/king/)
Water gates are used to release water into the Gulf of Thailand by gravity at low tide and closed during high tide to prevent water entering the river. Pumping stations simultaneously pump water into the Gulf of Thailand. This monkey cheek scheme ensures that the floodwater does not over flow the river banks.
In September 2011 the monkey cheek project was implemented to prevent flooding in the west side of Bangkok, an area that covers 76 km2. Twenty-five fully operational water stations were used to contain six million cubic metres of water, releasing water slowing so that it did not flood homes or communities.
Along the Chao Phraya River, dykes and artificial embankments have been constructed in both rural and urban areas. Dykes along the Chao Phraya River are mostly concrete retaining walls or raised elevations of road.
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