Thai Minister Defends Flood-Relief Kitchen, Vows Improvements
Thai Minister Sukhumrawan Wanthanyakul defended the Bhumjaithai Party’s flood‑relief kitchen amid criticism, saying it is better to act than do nothing. She said the Transport Ministry is working to stop Grab drivers from losing points when they cancel deliveries in flooded areas, and the kitchen will improve its operations while aiming to produce up to 10,000 meal boxes per day. She added that the kitchen had paused Grab orders and welcomed feedback to enhance the relief effort.
Speaking at Parliament on October 1, 2026, Sukhumrawan Wanthanyakul said the Bhumjaithai kitchen was set up to help Bangkok and surrounding residents affected by deep flooding, with plans to deliver food via Grab in inundated areas. She said agencies, foundations, influencers or volunteers would collect meal boxes from the kitchen for distribution, while students or sick people staying at home could order through Grab if convenient. Responding to complaints from Grab drivers about difficulty delivering in flooded zones — leading to cancelled orders and point deductions — she said Deputy Transport Minister Siriphong Angkasakulkiat had discussed the issue and would announce a solution later that day, especially to prevent drivers from losing points. Sukhumrawan added that the kitchen had temporarily stopped accepting orders through the Grab app, thanking all criticism and pledging to improve, noting cooperation from provincial MPs and party members and the aim to establish a rice production centre similar to those in district offices, capable of making 10,000 boxes daily. When asked whether the kitchen controversy had been politicised by the opposition and was demoralising, she replied that she felt no demoralisation, insisting that helping is better than not helping, and that MPs would return to their flood‑hit provinces to assist residents. On the phrase “flood plus”, she said people understand the difference between those who help and those who criticise, reaffirming her view that action is preferable to inaction regardless of flood severity.
