Floods Hit 30 Provinces, Govt Urged to Act

Nearly three million households in over 30 provinces are confronting floodwaters, and more than 24 people have died. The government cannot avoid accountability for the disaster, even if heavy rain, northern runoff, tidal surges and other natural factors are to blame. The pressing task for the current administration is not to repeat explanations of why the floods occurred, but to demonstrate what actions are being taken and when assistance will reach those in need. First, a clear command centre is required, with defined decision‑makers, area responsibilities and authority to issue orders, avoiding a chaotic scramble of agencies. In Bangkok, where central government, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the Irrigation Department, disaster prevention agencies and security bodies overlap, the defence minister has been appointed to coordinate the response on behalf of the prime minister; this role must carry real authority, not just a title. Second, information must be unified and timely—water levels at risk points, passable routes, evacuation sites and expected rises or falls must be communicated consistently across all agencies, because conflicting data erodes trust. Third, relief funds must reach victims quickly, be relevant to their suffering and be auditable. The cabinet has approved over 4 billion baht from the central budget for aid and compensation, but the money is meaningless if people remain stranded waiting for bureaucratic procedures. The government must set clear timelines for assessments, disbursements and tracking mechanisms. Finally, the administration must own any mistakes—duplicate orders, late warnings or poor coordination—rather than blaming nature or a single agency. It must acknowledge, investigate and correct shortcomings concretely. While long‑term projects such as the Chao Phraya‑Pasak‑Gulf of Thailand canal system, budgeted at over 160 billion baht, move forward, they cannot substitute for immediate answers to those suffering today. Restoring public confidence will not come from photo‑ops of leaders wading through water and handing out cash or goods; it will come from visible responsibility, effective command structures, reliable information and swift, genuine relief that reaches people. Only when the government helps victims return to normal life quickly will it have a chance to regain lost trust.