Anutin Orders Immediate Flood Relief Transfers After 10.5B Budget Approval
Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced immediate disbursement of flood relief funds following the Cabinet's approval of a 10.5 billion baht budget. Over 700,000 households have already received payments, with ongoing registration and verification to ensure fair distribution. Anutin also confirmed full preventive measures are in place for flood-prone Hat Yai, where heavy rainfall has raised concerns.
On October 21, 2026, at Parliament, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul disclosed details on relief fund transfers following the Cabinet's approval yesterday (Oct 20) of a flood relief budget exceeding 10.5 billion baht. Asked when money would reach the public, Anutin said transfers would proceed continuously as surveys are completed and data sent to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM). He stressed the government would not wait for provincial data collection to finish or for floods to completely recede, as in the past. Currently, anyone qualifying can register and will be screened to prevent duplicate claims. Authorities must carefully verify whether applicants are renters or owners and the extent of their damages, ensuring fairness for every household. Anutin cited an example where one landowner registered four houses on the same plot; each would be reviewed individually before approval. Over 700,000 households have already received relief payments. Regarding concerns in Hat Yai district, Songkhla province, where rainfall has reached 100 millimeters, Anutin affirmed full prevention measures are in place. Pressed to guarantee no repeat flooding, he reiterated that comprehensive preventive preparations have been made.
