Thailand Opens Flood Relief Hotline 1689 for Distressed Residents

The Ministry of Finance has set up a Flood Relief Coordination Center at its headquarters, operating as a single point of contact to provide information and assistance to flood-affected residents and business owners. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Niti-Thamprasithi announced the initiative on September 29, saying that flood victims should not waste time chasing multiple government offices when they are already struggling with concerns about housing, income, and recovery. The center coordinates with seven specialized financial institutions—the Government Savings Bank, Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, Government Housing Bank, Islamic Bank of Thailand, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand, Export-Import Bank of Thailand—as well as the Small and Medium Enterprise Credit Guarantee Corporation and the Insurance Commission. These agencies provide information and support including debt payment suspension, liquidity and business recovery loans, home and property repair loans, and insurance coverage details. The center receives inquiries and coordinates referrals to the appropriate agency based on each person's needs. Affected residents and business owners can call 1689 and press 1 or 4 to inquire about assistance measures, report problems, or request coordination help. The center operates Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Ministry of Finance on Rama VI Road, Bangkok.