Bangkok Residents Assured Flood Relief, Urged to Complete Forms
Deputy Interior Minister Jeeraset Thai-set assured Bangkok residents that they qualify for both 5,000‑baht flood‑surround and 9,000‑baht flood‑damage relief payments, urging them to complete their application forms. He said the government is expediting payments, has deployed disaster‑relief machinery and even used personal funds to hire trucks to clear waste in the Rom Klao housing estate, and is checking for possible chemical contamination in nearby provinces.
Jeeraset reiterated that the 5,000‑baht and 9,000‑baht relief amounts are guaranteed for eligible Bangkok residents, stressing that the government is pushing for rapid disbursement. He noted that applicants who mistakenly chose the wrong category—such as selecting the high‑rise option when their home was flooded—can correct errors by calling the hotline, as each case is reviewed individually. After conferring with Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, he said the disaster‑prevention directorate had been asked to brief the press again, though he felt his explanations were already clear. Regarding funding, he said sufficient resources have been set aside for both flood‑surround and flood‑damage relief, and while the exact transfer timeline depends on several factors, the first batch of approvals could be issued today or tomorrow for those who have completed their forms. He also described his visit to the Rom Klao housing estate on 7 October, where residents reported that floodwaters were followed by garbage buildup, prompting him to coordinate with the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department (DPDM) to deploy heavy machinery and, using his own money, hire six‑wheel trucks to speed up waste removal. Jeeraset added that he has already instructed the Prime Minister to investigate potential chemical contamination of crops and livestock in Prachin Buri and Chachoeng Saeng provinces, ordering relevant agencies to survey the area and inform farmers and the public.
