Six corporate groups have been selected to prepare conceptual plans on Thailand's water resources management which will cost the country 11.7 billion U.S. dollars billion, Thai News Agency reported on Wednesday.

According to Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi, in his capacity as chairman of the Water and Natural Disaster Management Committee, said eight corporate groups joined the process and selection of the six winners was approved by the cabinet on Tuesday.

The six groups consist of 15 Thai firms and 16 international companies, he said, adding that the committee intentionally wanted a mixture of Thai and foreign companies.

Thai companies are more knowledgeable on Thailand's geography and water resources channels while overseas firms are experienced and apply technology in water management, the deputy premier said. The foreign companies are based in China, Japan and South Korea.

The six corporate groups will propose details on construction and technical aspects, time frame and expense by April when bid winners will be announced by a selection committee to be specially set up for the purpose.

The selection committee will work closely with a consultant firm which will be in charge of supervising construction of all the projects, Plodprasop said.

The projects involve construction of reservoirs along major rivers from northern Thailand to the central region, development of agricultural and irrigation zones, construction of floodways and flood diversion channels and improvements to the flood warning system.

In 2011, Thailand was hit by devastative floods nationwide, in which more than 500 people across the country were killed.