Culture Minister Visits Flood‑Hit Phak Hai, Aids Victims, Checks Heritage
Culture Minister Sabida Thaiset visited flood‑affected Phak Hai in Ayutthaya province to give relief packages to victims and inspect damage to historic temples and museums. Her team distributed 500 aid packs and announced emergency funds for repairs, plus plans for long‑term flood barriers along the Noi River. The visit highlights the ministry’s disaster response role and its effort to keep cultural sites as community support centers.
Culture Minister Sabida Thaiset visited Phak Hai district in Ayutthaya province on October 5, 2026, to console flood victims, distribute relief packages, and assess damage to historical sites, museums, and Wat Yann Angthong. She was accompanied by the deputy governor, the Fine Arts Department director, local MPs, and provincial officials. The team handed out 500 relief packs to affected residents and inspected Wat Yann Angthong, which houses ancient structures and a museum of valuable artifacts, to evaluate flood impact and plan emergency repairs. The Ministry of Culture, through the Fine Arts Department, will approve emergency funds to repair walls, drainage systems, walkways, and surrounding areas of the ordination hall, vihara, and historic sites once waters recede. Additionally, it will prepare a budget request to construct flood‑prevention barriers and drainage networks around the area, coordinating with the provincial public works and town planning office to build flood barriers along the Noi River to protect the temple and community in the long term. These actions demonstrate the Ministry of Culture's role in aiding citizens during disasters and promoting temples and religious sites as community hubs for relief and morale, especially when livelihoods are disrupted.
