Mayor Clarifies Flood Aid Misunderstanding, Urges Registration
Pakrak Mai Municipality Mayor Amnuay Boonriw clarified that a sign claiming flood victims do not qualify for relief was a staff misunderstanding, not an official policy. He urged all residents affected by flooding or surrounded water to register for aid before the Friday 4:30 p.m. deadline, noting that about 1,000 households have signed up so far while estimates suggest tens of thousands may need help. The mayor also addressed registration confusion caused by the earlier national ‘Thang Rat’ app and duplicate filings, assuring that the process is being straightened out.
The mayor explained that the sign was removed immediately after the municipality learned of the mix‑up, and officials held briefings to prevent further confusion. He noted that aid is available for any household with flood water or water surrounding the house, and that there are no exclusion criteria as shown in the viral image. Registration continues until Friday at 4:30 p.m.; so far roughly 1,000 households have registered, though officials believe the true number of affected homes in Pakrak Mai Subdistrict could reach into the tens of thousands. Complications have arisen from residents who previously registered via the national ‘Thang Rat’ app before the municipality took over the process, leading to uncertainty about whether they need to re‑register, as well as duplicate family registrations and cases where renters must obtain landlord approval before applying. Local residents praised the mayor’s hands‑on approach, saying the registration process has gone smoothly and they are willing to accept whatever form of relief is offered.
