Thailand Opens Flood Hotline 1362 for Nationwide Assistance
Thailand’s Natural Resources and Environment Minister has ordered the national parks department to operate the 1362 forest protection hotline 24 hours a day to receive flood reports and coordinate rescue efforts. The initiative aims to reach stranded and vulnerable residents, following the government’s policy of providing comprehensive disaster relief and leaving no one behind. Officials say the hotline will speed up assistance in inaccessible areas and ensure timely help for those affected.
Speaking on October 4, 2029, Minister Suttha Chuenklin explained that ongoing flooding and flash floods continue to affect many areas, prompting him to direct the department to expand the 1362 hotline’s duties to include emergency alerts and assistance requests, operating 24 hours a day to swiftly coordinate rescue teams. He emphasized that the hotline lets people directly report their locations and request aid, particularly in deep‑water zones, places unreachable by vehicle, and locations housing vulnerable individuals needing urgent help. He instructed the agency to staff the line continuously and maintain coordination with operational units to ensure every report is promptly followed up and assisted.
Suttha quoted Deputy Prime Minister Anutin’s directive to provide comprehensive flood relief without abandoning anyone, stating that the department must use all available channels, especially the 1362 hotline, to gather reports and deploy personnel quickly because the locations of those still needing help are unknown and assistance cannot wait.
Department Director‑General Yongyuth Nakawirom said the Forest Fire Prevention and Control Division has been mobilized to support flood relief, with personnel assigned to the 1362 hotline round the clock to receive reports, compile data, and coordinate field units for rapid response.
So far, the department has deployed seven field kitchens under the “One Ministry” initiative to distribute meals to flood victims, alongside forest rangers and fire‑control staff assisting evacuations, transporting essential supplies, delivering drinking water, and sending rescue boats and personnel to survey communities. It has also helped evacuate vulnerable groups—elderly residents, children and bedridden patients—from high‑flood areas to safe locations, working with other ministry units, provincial administrations and local organizations.
The department pledged to continue marshaling all resources and personnel until the situation returns to normal, in line with the government’s commitment to care for everyone and leave no one behind.
Anyone affected by flooding or flash floods, or in need of assistance, can call the 1362 forest protection hotline at any time.
