Public and Private Sectors Urged to Allow Time Off for Their Flood-Hit Staff

(25/10/2011)

The public and private sectors have been urged to allow their flood-hit staff some time off, so that they would have a chance to look after their property and protect their homes. The call was made by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who said that the affected government officials and company employees would spend the time off to move their property to safe places or prepare for their relocation. The Cabinet on October 25 approved a government holiday on Thursday (October 27), Friday (October 28), and Monday (October 31), effectively granting a five-day vacation for residents to brace for flooding. The holiday will take effect in 21 provinces, namely Sukhothai, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Chachoengsao, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Kamphaeng Phet, Tak, and Bangkok. However, the Flood Relief Operations Center will remain open, and officials within the center will continue their duty as usual. The Government has switched to a crisis mode as a massive run-off will arrive in the capital on October 26, coinciding with a high tide on October 28. According to the Emergency Operation Center for Flood, Storms and Landslide, there are currently 28 flood-affected provinces in Thailand: 11 provinces are in the central region, seven in the North, another seven in the Northeast, and three in the East. The flooding situation has affected almost 2.5 million people. Since many people are suffering from stress, Public Health Minister Wittaya Buranasiri has ordered the establishment of health units to help ease psychological and emotional stress resulting from the situation. He said that, in the initial stage, the units are operating in 30 evacuation centers in four provinces, namely Ayutthaya, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, and Nakhon Sawan. There are currently almost 100,000 people suffering from flood-related stress. The Department of Mental Health and provincial public health offices have dispatched teams of psychiatrists, psychologists, and volunteers to provide counseling services and ease the impact on the people’s mental health. Minister Wittaya said that the Department of Mental Health had been told to recruit more volunteers among the affected people, so that they would be able to provide morale support to other flood-hit residents. As for food supplies, the Ministry of Commerce has cooperated with various companies to set up a product distribution center at Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok, in an effort to ease shortages of consumer goods. Meanwhile, the Malaysian government has donated 30 million baht to help flood victims in Thailand. Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato’ Sri Anifah Haji Aman on October 24 handed over a cash sum of one million US dollars to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra at the Flood Relief Operations Center in Don Mueang. On this occasion, the Prime Minister briefed the Malaysian Foreign Minister on the flooding situation and guidelines for flood protection in Bangkok. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Flood Relief Operations Center are joining hands in coping with the flooding situation in Bangkok. Two major tasks are being carried out: one is to protect economic zones, and the other is to assist flood victims. Residents in the districts of Laksi, Don Mueang, Sai Mai, Nong Chok, Min Buri, Khan Na Yao, Lat Krabang, Bang Phlat, and Thawi Watthana were told Monday night (October 24) to be cautious about rising water levels.