Deputy PM Wades Through Mud in Phayao Recovery Effort
Deputy PM Yotchanun surveyed flood and mudslide damage in Phayao's Silalaeng Subdistrict on August 21, praising locals and rangers who rescued vulnerable residents when warning systems failed. The government announced 100 million baht in em
On August 21, Deputy Prime Minister Yotchanun Wongswat and his team waded through mudslides to survey damage and recovery efforts in the Silalaeng Subdistrict of Phayao Province. The official inspected homes in the community, beginning with the first house where floodwaters and thick mud had surged inside, destroying property. At a second home, mud surrounded the house causing severe damage, though the main living area remained safe.
At a third home belonging to elderly residents, mud had infiltrated the living quarters. When the deputy prime minister entered to pay respects, the elderly woman greeted him warmly, expressing joy that help had reached such a remote area. At a fourth house, the ground floor was completely destroyed and filled with debris and thick mud, forcing residents to move temporarily to the second floor. Multiple other homes in the area were similarly devastated by the floodwaters and mudslides.
The official then visited the home of teacher Nanan Kasernsri, a local school teacher whose house stood directly in the path of the flash flood. Nanan recounted a harrowing escape when the water suddenly changed direction and rushed toward her with tremendous force. She grabbed a wooden pillar to keep from being swept away until her father threw her a rope to pull her to safety. When warning systems failed and phone signals were cut off, Nanan used social media to call for help. This prompted six ranger personnel from the 32nd Ranger Unit to wade through the water and evacuate about 20 vulnerable people, including elderly residents and those with hearing and vision disabilities, to safety at Phamuead Temple.
Deputy Prime Minister Yotchanun praised Nanan's quick thinking and bravery, calling her and the ranger personnel "true heroes" for their life-saving efforts in the crisis. He announced immediate recovery measures, ordering heavy machinery to remove mud from the community and requesting the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation to expand emergency funding to 100 million baht. The government will coordinate home repair assistance of approximately 88,000 baht per household through disaster prevention funds, supplemented by social development ministry contributions of about 49,000 baht each, to aid more than 33 severely damaged homes.
The deputy prime minister also surveyed the surrounding waterways and discussed long-term structural solutions, noting that the government is working with the Royal Irrigation Department to construct small to medium-sized dams and water retention basins in the upper areas of northern districts.
