Bangkok: Ms. Jiraporn Sindhuphrai, Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office, has issued directives to enhance crisis communication efforts from the northern to southern regions of Thailand, in light of severe flooding affecting the southern provinces. This initiative includes establishing a Joint Information Center (JIC) to support the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) in accelerating communication efforts to assist flood victims.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Jiraporn emphasized the importance of the Public Relations Department’s involvement, which has been active since the onset of floods in the northern regions. The department has been tasked with supporting the Flood, Storm, and Landslide Assistance Operations Center (FSOC) by utilizing the JIC mechanism, which coordinates with relevant agencies for effective crisis communication.
During a recent meeting of the Central Prevention and Operations Center (CPOC), Mr. Phumtham Vejjayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defens
e, directed governors from four southern provinces to participate in monitoring meetings. This strategy aims to align the delivery of assistance with local needs, ensuring timely and appropriate support reaches the affected populations.
Ms. Jiraporn highlighted the collaboration between the Public Relations Office Region 6 (Songkhla) and the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC), which serves as the nucleus of situation management. This coordination is crucial for disseminating warnings, fostering public understanding of the crisis, and facilitating direct assistance. Lessons drawn from northern flood communication are being applied to enhance strategies in the south.
The JIC mechanism is instrumental in consolidating information from various public relations departments to ensure accurate and reliable data is communicated to the southern population. Affected individuals can stay informed through multiple channels, including special TV segments like ‘Helping the Southern Floods’ on NBT2HD
and ‘Follow the flood in the South’ on NBT11, as well as radio reports from seven stations in five provinces.
Additionally, online platforms such as X and Facebook offer updated information via the NBT CONNEXT and Public Relations Department pages. In collaboration with SBPAC, a special radio program ‘1880 SBPAC Joins in Helping Flood Victims’ will begin broadcasting on December 2, 2024, further extending outreach efforts.
Ms. Jiraporn assured that the Public Relations Department will serve as a central hub for flood-related news and information, facilitating government assistance. Affected citizens can reach out through various hotlines, including the Government House Complaint Center and the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. The government, under Prime Minister Paethongtarn’s leadership, is committed to providing comprehensive support to those impacted by the disaster.