PM Praises Phetchaburi Flood Response, Urges Provinces to Adopt Model

The Prime Minister said the flood situation is entering the tail end of the season, praised Phetchaburi for effective water management and rapid resolution, urged other provinces to adopt its approach, noted that over 1.069 billion baht in relief payments have been made, and ordered the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department to update its alert system, adding that a forward center could be set up in the south if flooding occurs. He said the meeting on 12 October aimed to monitor the situation and continue assistance to flood victims, marking the twelfth consecutive day of meetings. Attendees included Lieutenant General Adul Bunthammajariyen as Defense Minister, Phirad Prisananantakul as Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, Phatthana Phromphat as Public Health Minister, Phon Phian Suwannachiew as Deputy Interior Minister, relevant agencies, and governors nationwide joining via video conference. The Prime Minister added that he expects today’s meeting to be among the final ones managing the situation, as the rains faced are likely the last wave of the season. He said forecasted rainfall volumes are considered heavy but manageable, and so far everything has proceeded smoothly. Even in areas with lingering flood water such as Bangkok, everyone has worked together to ease the situation, which could be described as returning to normal. He commended the swift compilation of damage victim lists to qualify for relief payments. To date, five payment rounds have transferred funds to over 135,000 households, totaling more than 1.069 billion baht, according to the latest figures from the Ministry of Interior, which compiled the beneficiary lists nationwide, enabling each eligible household to receive 9,000 baht. He thanked all parties for their full cooperation, noting that normally the government waits until everything is settled before compiling lists, a careful but slow method that has drawn public criticism and required ministers to answer questions in parliament. This time, relief assistance is being processed daily by province, with funds transferred in advance to banks, and he urged continued effort. The Prime Minister further praised Phetchaburi, reporting that on 11 October there was flooding in Mueang District and major communities in the province; initially he thought emergency assistance would be needed, but early reports indicated the water was mostly rainwater, and while he was in Phetchabun he coordinated that if the situation worsened he might deploy to the area. Upon returning to Bangkok, he received word that water levels had receded and the area was nearly dry, which he cited as a model for handling such events across provinces. He explained that while we cannot stop rain or nature, managing waterways and diverting water to retention areas capable of draining flood zones quickly can limit inundation duration. If the plan is followed, even when flooding occurs it will be brief, demonstrating that Phetchaburi has performed well because initial reports showed water reaching knee level but within a few hours the situation was reversed. He urged provincial leaders from the upper South to Narathiwat to prepare accordingly, noting that relief resources are ready, including planning for the evacuation of vulnerable groups and mobilizing equipment.