Cabinet Approves 10.5 Billion Baht for Flood Relief
The Thai Cabinet has approved an additional 10.5 billion baht from the central emergency budget for flood relief, bringing total assistance to cover approximately 1.4 million more households. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed funds are sufficient and ordered accelerated disbursements to victims, while also directing flood prevention measures in Songkhla as heavy rains hit the South.
The Cabinet approved 10,508 million baht from the 2027 central emergency reserve budget to be set aside for flood victim relief, assigning the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation to prepare for disbursement as approximately 1 million households are currently undergoing verification to receive assistance. At the same time, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed that flood relief funds will not run out, clarifying that this money does not come from the annual budget but from the central budget, and that every past government has had to draw flood relief funds from the central budget. This was the Prime Minister's initial clarification confirming the budget is not exhausted. Previously, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation outlined a timeline regarding the flood relief budget, starting with the government's approval of the 2026 central budget to assist people in 66 provinces and Bangkok, totaling 5,281 million baht. Then, a Cabinet resolution on August 25, 2026, approved 549 million baht to provide assistance to 60,971 affected households in 41 provinces. Subsequently, a Cabinet resolution on September 29, 2026, approved an additional 4,731 million baht to assist another 553,780 households across 24 provinces and the Bangkok area. Most recently, the Cabinet resolved to approve an additional 10,508 million baht to cover approximately 1.4 million more households. Following the latest approval of flood relief assistance, the Prime Minister affirmed that funds will be expedited to victims continuously, without waiting for the situation to subside as in the past, noting that over 700,000 households have already received transfers. Additionally, the Prime Minister ordered full flood prevention preparations in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, as heavy rains are currently occurring in the South with rainfall at high levels. The 2026 flood situation is considered severe, particularly in Bangkok, the metropolitan region, many central provinces, eastern provinces, and is now moving into southern areas. Although the government has had shortcomings, relief efforts must not repeat past mistakes and must reach victims quickly. Preparations for the southern region must also be readied, which may require considering additional assistance and relief budgets.
