Bangkok: Moving forward to help the Thai-Cambodian border, accelerating the disbursement of compensation and rehabilitation funds. Bhumtham reiterated that the government will not abandon its citizens and will continue to provide assistance along the Thai-Cambodian border, expediting the disbursement of aid and restoring homes as quickly as possible.
According to Thai News Agency, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, revealed that due to the ongoing fighting along the Thai-Cambodian border, which has impacted the lives of citizens, the government has declared an emergency disaster relief zone in seven border provinces. This zone encompasses 45 districts, 336 subdistricts, and 4,081 villages, including Ubon Ratchathani, Sisaket, Surin, Buriram, Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, and Trat provinces. This measure aims to ensure prompt and comprehensive relief through budget disbursements for the affected people.
Mr. Phumtham stated that the latest damage survey by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) reported that 315,476 households and 779,379 individuals were affected. The Ministry of Interior has provided a total of 617,335,499.77 baht in assistance to those affected. This includes compensations for 17 fatalities, totaling 18,108,658.57 baht, and 36 injured individuals, totaling 351,788 baht.
Regarding the disbursement of government funds to assist disaster victims in emergency situations under the governor's authority, a total of 201,371,391 baht is allocated. Of this amount, 10 million baht has been allocated for emergency disaster prevention and containment, with 2,952,600 baht already allocated for repairs and construction of bomb shelters in Surin Province. The remaining 198,418,791 baht has been allocated for disaster relief, with specific allocations of 20 million baht and an expanded 100 million baht. These funds are used to support living expenses and operations in six provinces: Buriram, Sisaket, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Sa Kaeo, and Trat.
Mr. Phumtham noted that the Ministry of Interior is expediting the repair of damaged houses, completing 533 of them at a cost of 18,668,372 baht. The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) has also alleviated the burden of electricity costs for 278,506 individuals, totaling 392,000,000 baht. The Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) has provided water assistance to 21,361 individuals, and established 138 temporary shelters, totaling 10,893,597.77 baht.
Mr. Phumtham reiterated that the government and the Ministry of Interior place the highest priority on alleviating the suffering of people in border areas. He has instructed all relevant agencies to expedite comprehensive relief efforts, including providing full compensation to the deceased and injured, ensuring their safety, surveying the damage, and expediting repairs and restoration of damaged homes. He has also allocated a budget for ongoing livelihood assistance and is closely monitoring the situation to ensure that every household receives the most comprehensive and equitable assistance.