Government to Expedite Post-Flood Recovery

(16/10/2011)

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said that the Government would expedite recovery work to help flood-hit people and restore normalcy once the flooding eases. The recovery work involves the taking care of flood victims’ physical and mental health, as well as the rehabilitation of their property. In her weekly radio program broadcast through the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (Television Channel 11) and Radio Thailand on October 15, the Prime Minister cited the current flooding situation as one of the worst in Thai history. The Government is making efforts to drain flood water into the sea as quickly as possible. She urged the public to have confidence in the Government, which was aware of the problem and would seek long-term solutions to handle it in a systematic manner. The Prime Minister also called on everyone to join hands in getting through these difficult times with patience. She cited Nakhon Sawan, Ayutthaya, and Pathum Thani as the three hardest-hit provinces. The Prime Minister also stated that the Government was concerned about damaged industrial plants and farmland and would do its best to enable people to return to a normal life and earn a living as usual. The Royal Thai Army, the Royal Thai Navy, the Royal Thai Air Force, and the Royal Thai Police were assigned to help protect various economic zones, industrial estates, evacuation centers, and Suvarnabhumi Airport from floods. According to the Prime Minister, the Government has so far received public donations totaling 400 million baht and numerous essential items to ease the hardships of flood victims. A number of volunteers are operating at the Flood Relief Operations Center at Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok and also at various flood-hit areas to help the affected people. Many countries, such as China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Laos, Israel, Denmark, and the United States, have offered assistance to Thailand. The US government, in particular, has sent 28 helicopters to help search flood victims and evacuate the affected people. A survey team from the United States arrived in Bangkok on October 15, in preparation for providing humanitarian assistance to flood victims. Meanwhile, CAT Telecom Public Company confirmed that Thailand’s domestic and international telecommunication systems had not been affected by the flooding situation. It has set up a coordinating center to provide services during this critical situation at the CAT Tower on Charoen Krung Road in Bangkok’s Bang Rak district. A flood dyke and three large water pumps have also been installed at the CAT Tower, which serves as a center for the country’s domestic and international telecommunication systems.