Prime Minister Urges Agencies to Accept Flood Criticism, Work Together

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul chaired the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command meeting at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation to monitor the flood situation and assistance to affected individuals. Attendees included military commanders, the national police commissioner, provincial governors, and the Bangkok governor. Anutin said the meeting reflected readiness to cope with and understand problems arising from the flood situation in Bangkok, neighboring provinces, and potential flooding elsewhere nationwide, stressing that the aim is not just to solve Bangkok’s issues but to integrate efforts with provincial agencies and nationwide bodies to align operations. He emphasized plugging operational gaps and improving communication to protect lives and property, thanked agencies and volunteers for their help, and noted that over the past three to four days resources have been fully deployed to aid victims. Anutin added that after seeing public distress in the field, he has coordinated with all agencies, accepting criticism and complaints as public feedback that must be used to find solutions. He urged everyone to be broad‑minded and patient, not to take offense at remarks, but to use them to solve problems, work together without obstruction, and fully exercise their duties. He believed the public would understand. Anutin said this was the first such meeting but that similar sessions would be held daily to ensure continuous information sharing and situation monitoring, allowing agency heads to send representatives if they have essential duties. He noted that establishing this morning‑meeting system is the first time since 2011, recalling the COVID‑19 period when daily meetings enabled nationwide information flow and comprehensive situational understanding. He warned that without linked efforts, actions such as Bangkok pumping water daily while the Irrigation Department drains water could waste resources.