Khlong Ra-ok Reservoir is not collapsing. Only soil erosion was found near the spillway.
Thai PBS Verify has traced the source of the disinformation to TikTok.
Thai PBS Verify discovered a TikTok account sharing a clip of turbulent water, claiming that ‘Urgent: The Khlong Ra-ok (Khao Chuk) Reservoir is about to fail.
As of its posting date on September 28, 2026, the post received 3,039 reactions, 55 comments, and more than 806 shares.
Rayong’s irrigation authorities are ramping up water release from the Khlong Ra-ok Reservoir
Through keyword searches, Thai PBS Verify found that the Facebook page of the 9th Regional Irrigation Office, Royal Irrigation Department, posted an announcement at 10:30 AM on September 28, 2026. The statement read: ‘The Rayong Irrigation Project reports that the Khlong Ra-ok Reservoir holds 24 million cubic meters of water, accounting for 114% of its capacity and exceeding its maximum limit. This has caused partial damage to the spillway structure, though it can still accommodate water drainage.’
Authorities are preparing to ramp up water drainage through the river outlet at a rate of 6.05 cubic meters per second. This could impact areas along the banks and low-lying spots in four sub-districts of Klaeng District, so residents are advised to keep an eye on the situation and get ready for a rise in water levels.
A photo showing the Facebook page of the 9th Regional Irrigation Office under the Royal Irrigation Department, sharing a public announcement from the Rayong Irrigation Project concerning the Khlong Ra-ok Reservoir.
Rayong closely monitors Khao Chuk Reservoir, assuring the dam structure remains secure
On September 28, 2026, the Rayong Provincial Public Relations Facebook page reported that Governor Traiphop Wongratana monitored local floods and directed immediate relief efforts, focusing heavily on Klaeng, Mueang Rayong, Ban Khai, and Khao Chamao districts.
The statement specified: ‘Officials are closely monitoring the Khao Chuk Reservoir, and the Royal Irrigation Department has confirmed that the dam structure remains secure. Meanwhile, evacuations are being expedited for residents in high-risk areas, with approximately 80–90% of them having already been relocated.’
An image of a post by the Rayong Provincial Public Relations Office’s Facebook page stated that on September 28, 2026, Rayong Governor Traiphop Wongratana inspected flood situations across multiple areas.
Subsequently, the Joint Flood Situation Information Center issued a statement regarding the widely shared rumors that the Khlong Ra-ok Reservoir (Khao Chuk Dam) was about to burst. Following an investigation, it was confirmed that the earthen dam itself has not failed; rather, water erosion has caused damage to the right wing of the spillway (the overflow structure). The Royal Irrigation Department is currently on-site carrying out repairs. Regarding the affected areas—namely, Thung Khwai Kin sub-district in Klaeng District and Nam Pen sub-district in Khao Chamao District—citizens are urged to closely monitor announcements from local authorities.
In the meantime, the Thung Khwai Kin Subdistrict Administrative Organization’s Facebook page reassured everyone that the dam hasn’t failed, but asked locals to keep a close watch and stay updated on the news.
An image of a post by the Facebook page of the Thung Khwai Kin Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO), confirming that the dam has not burst and urging residents to remain vigilant and closely follow news updates.
What is the actual truth?
Thai PBS Verify has investigated and found that the Khlong Ra-ok Reservoir (Khao Chuk Dam) has not burst, contrary to claims shared on TikTok. However, its water level has exceeded maximum capacity, and water erosion has damaged the right side of the spillway (the overflow structure). Meanwhile, the Royal Irrigation Department is urgently carrying out repairs and draining water from the reservoir.
Local authorities advise residents in at-risk zones, particularly low-lying and riverside areas, to closely monitor the water situation and official announcements, as water drainage may cause water levels in these areas to rise.
Verification Process
- Verification via keyword search: A keyword search revealed that the 9th Regional Irrigation Office, Royal Irrigation Department, announced that the Khlong Ra-ok Reservoir holds 114% of its water capacity, exceeding its maximum limit. This has resulted in partial damage to the spillway structure, though it remains capable of draining water. Preparations are underway to discharge water through the river outlet at a rate of 6.05 cubic meters per second, which may impact low-lying and riverside areas across four sub-districts in Klaeng District. Citizens are urged to closely monitor the situation.
- Source-Based Verification: The Rayong Governor tracked floods in four districts, directing immediate relief and urgent evacuations in vulnerable zones. Authorities are maintaining a close watch on the Khao Chuk Reservoir—confirmed by the Royal Irrigation Department to be structurally sound—while 80–90% of local residents have successfully been relocated.
- Source-Based Verification: The Joint Information Center verified that the Khlong Ra-ok (Khao Chuk Dam) is intact, though water erosion has damaged the right side of the spillway. The Royal Irrigation Department is currently addressing the issue. With Thung Khwai Kin (Klaeng District) and Nam Pen (Khao Chamao District) identified as impacted areas, the public is urged to stay updated on local agency notices.
- Verification via official sources: The Facebook page of the Thung Khwai Kin Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO) confirmed that the dam has not burst, while urging residents to remain vigilant and closely follow news updates.
The Impact of This Misinformation
- Induces unnecessary panic and distorts local water conditions.
- Triggers potential unwarranted evacuations or frantic departures.
- Blurs the line between real-world conditions and social media rumors.
- Impairs disaster tracking and response efforts by citizens and authorities.
- Overshadows credible official data with inaccurate or overblown claims.
What to do with this misinformation?
- Verify information with government agencies or credible sources before believing or sharing it.
- Check the date, time, and location of clips or images to determine whether they depict current events.
- If encountering information claiming abnormalities at a dam or reservoir, closely follow announcements directly from the Royal Irrigation Department and local authorities.
- Avoid sharing unverified information, particularly messages that may cause public panic.
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