Surin: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul has announced the Prime Minister's upcoming visit to Surin Province, where she will emphasize the urgency of surveying and repairing bomb shelters along the Thai-Cambodian border. This initiative is part of the government's strategy to ensure the safety and preparedness of the border provinces in the event of a conflict.
According to Thai News Agency, tomorrow, Prime Minister Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, along with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Mr. Phumtham Vejjayachai, will travel to Surin Province. The visit aims to assess the current situation at the Thai-Cambodian border and provide policy directives to the governors of seven border provinces. Initially, a meeting with the governors was planned in Ubon Ratchathani Province, but it was rescheduled to coincide with the Prime Minister's visit to Surin, allowing for a consolidated policy briefing.
Mr. Anutin highlighted the critical need for a comprehensive survey of bomb shelters in the border areas. He stressed that the Ministry of Interior is actively assessing the current facilities to ensure they are prepared for any potential emergencies. The preliminary findings reveal a shortfall in the number of functional bomb shelters, with some being in a state of disrepair. This situation poses a risk to the local population, especially in times of emergency, and necessitates immediate attention and action.
Mr. Anutin further explained that while the construction of new facilities is not extensive, it is crucial to ensure that existing shelters are safe and adequate. The governors of the respective provinces have the option to utilize provincial emergency budgets or seek funds from the central government for these repairs. The financial aspects of this initiative will be addressed following the completion of the survey, ensuring efficient allocation of resources.
The Deputy Prime Minister also mentioned that the recent cabinet meetings had successfully addressed the Thai-Cambodian border issues without any complications, similar to the smooth cabinet reshuffle process.