PRESS RELEASE:
The government, led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, continues to address the ongoing flood situation in southern Thailand, providing relief and expediting recovery efforts. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, in his role as Director of the Flood, Storm, and Landslide Relief Operations Center, has directed all relevant agencies to closely monitor developments.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has reported significant improvements, with the impact now confined to Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces, affecting 47,355 households in low-lying areas. The Royal Irrigation Department has deployed 70 water pumps and 47 propulsion devices to speed up water drainage and restore normal conditions.
In Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Pak Phanang district, efforts are underway to protect Siam ruby pomelo farms severely affected by flooding. The Regional Irrigation Office 15 has installed 17 water pumps and 12 propulsion devices, with requests made for additional equipment to minimize crop damage. Reports indicate that water levels in some areas have receded, reducing the immediate threat to the tree bases and offering hope for a faster recovery for farmers.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Sasikarn Wattanachan confirmed that 857,308 households have submitted claims for assistance. The review process, managed by district and provincial disaster relief committees, will determine eligibility before approved claims are forwarded to the Government Savings Bank for disbursement via PromptPay accounts. Payments are expected to be completed by the end of December 2024.
Sasikarn also clarified that tenants of rental properties are eligible for compensation if they provide supporting documents such as rental agreements or tenancy certificates issued by local administrative organizations.
The preceding is a press release from the Thai Government PR Department.
