Bangkok: The flooding situation in Southern Thailand is being addressed with urgency following the approval of a 5 billion baht budget aimed at providing immediate relief to affected households. Minister of Interior, Anutin Charnvirakul, emphasized that while the flooding in the South is concerning, it is not as severe as the situation in the North. The Prime Minister has prioritized the welfare of Southern residents and approved the budget to expedite assistance efforts.
According to Thai News Agency, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul highlighted that the Cabinet’s decision to allocate the budget would provide 9,000 baht per household across 16 provinces. This budget not only aids households but also expands the disaster budget framework from 20 million to 50 million baht. Anutin was directed by the Prime Minister to forgo the Northern Cabinet meeting and focus on the Southern region to manage the urgent flood situation.
Anutin expressed that his visit to the affected areas ha
s accelerated relief work. An operations center has been established, with the Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation actively managing the frontline operations. This initiative is aimed at alleviating the current crisis and facilitating swift recovery.
Anutin stated that upon his return from the South, relevant agencies gathered data and assessed the damage. The findings were presented to the Cabinet to secure necessary funds to mitigate the flooding impact. Anutin reassured that the 5 billion baht budget was approved by the Prime Minister to ensure swift assistance for those suffering, following due procedural protocols.
In managing the crisis, Anutin noted that governors of the six affected provinces are empowered to utilize the emergency budget effectively. He emphasized that efficient management of these resources would enable the handling of immediate needs.
When questioned about post-flooding policies, Anutin mentioned plans for health and mental health support, alo
ngside damage assessments. He reiterated that while the Southern flooding is serious, it is less severe compared to the North. He assured ongoing efforts to address the situation and committed to revisiting the affected areas to oversee recovery efforts.