Suriya' ordered the Department of Highways and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources to closely monitor the flooding in Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai Province 24 hours a day, urgently sending officers to the area to help those affected by the flooding, and urgently improving the traffic routes to be completed as soon as possible. The Marine Department (MD) sent a boat to help and monitor the situation until it improves. Mr. Suriya Juangroongruangkit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, revealed that the heavy rains have caused flooding and flash floods in Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai Province, which has affected a large number of people in the area. Therefore, he has ordered the Department of Highways (DOH), the Department of Rural Roads (DRR), and related agencies to urgently send officials to the area to help people and urgently restore flooded roads so that they can travel safely as soon as possible. At the same time, all agencies have been assigned to provide officers to closely mo nitor and facilitate traffic on various routes, including installing warning signs and arranging officers to monitor the situation 24 hours a day until the situation improves. In addition, all agencies have been ordered to report the progress and movement of the situation immediately in order to prepare a response plan and help the people. Mr. Suriya continued that the Department of Highways reported the flood situation in Chiang Rai Province that currently, there are 6 floods and landslides on the highway network. In the past 24 hours, officers have been mobilized to work to return traffic routes to normal. As a result, traffic can pass through 5 places and is still impassable in 1 place due to the disaster caused by water erosion that broke the bridge neck on Highway 1338, Kha Yaeng - Pa Miang section, km. 9+650. However, they are currently rushing to install a Bailey bridge, which is expected to be open to traffic this evening (September 11). While the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources reported that the areas under the supervision of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources have 3 impassable routes: 1) Road No. Chor.1023, km. 10+500 - 12+000 2) Road No. Chor.5051, km. 0+050 - 0+500 and 3) Road at the foot of the bridge Chor.022, Pracharuamjai Bridge, km. 1+450 - 2+000, all 3 of these routes have been closed to traffic, warning signs have been installed, and equipment has been installed to facilitate the public in the area. If there is any progress, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources will report to the public immediately. Mr. Suriya added that he has assigned the Marine Department (MD) to provide personnel and vehicles to assist flood victims in Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai Province by filling sandbags to create a water barrier to alleviate the suffering of the affected people. He has also assigned personnel and two vehicles and one patrol boat to be stationed at the Marine Department Regional Assistance Center 1 (Chiang Rai) to be able to immediately go to work in the event of a w ater emergency or flood in the area and to closely monitor the situation and water levels. However, people are asked to travel with caution, strictly follow flood warning signs, advisory signs and advice from officials for safety on the road, and to help those affected by the disaster and monitor the situation at all times. If people want to inquire about road conditions, traffic conditions or need assistance, they can contact the Highways Office, Highways District, Highways Division in the area and the Highways Department hotline at 1586 (free call on all networks 24 hours a day) and the Department of Rural Roads hotline at 1146. Source: Thai News Agency