"Anutin" reveals preparations for floodwaters entering the Northeastern region, points out that the water will be drained into the Mekong River as quickly as possible, aims to compensate hotel operators in Chiang Rai Province after allowing free accommodation for the public, emphasizing that all units of the Ministry of Interior have complete equipment and are ready to help. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul spoke about the flood situation in Chiang Rai Province, which has been rumored to have not been declared a disaster area. Anutin confirmed that Chiang Rai Province has been declared a disaster area for a long time, and this is the first thing that the governor must do. Therefore, he asked people to trust the government system and not make mistakes in these matters. In Chiang Rai Province, Chiang Mai Province, and other disaster-stricken areas, if they are not declared disaster areas, how can reserve funds be used? Yesterday (September 12), the Prime Minister emphasized t hat if there is not enough money, the Chiang Rai Governor should increase the budget, which means that the announcement has already been made. As for the case of the water mass flowing to the northeastern region in Nong Khai and Nakhon Phanom provinces, Mr. Anutin said that water must be quickly drained into the Mekong River area as quickly as possible. From what he learned from the governors of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, it must pass through Mae Ai District, where there was a landslide, which is a route for water through Chiang Rai and Chiang Saen provinces, so water must be quickly drained into the Mekong River as quickly as possible. As for the current problem of the Chinese government releasing water, Mr. Anutin said that we must solve our part of the problem. As for dealing with the mass of water in the Northeast, he is confident that the governors of the areas with a high risk of flooding must prepare a contingency plan. However, the Ministry of Interior has prepared to assist with evacuation and ensu re the safety of the people. This is the most important issue. As for consumer goods, rice, food, and evacuation centers, Chiang Rai Province will be a good model where the people are kind to each other. Many hotel owners in the area have allowed the people to stay free of charge. The Prime Minister said that he does not have to have the governors do accounting and compensate them. Today, Ms. Thirat Samretwanich, Deputy Minister of Interior (MOI 4), will travel to Chiang Rai Province. In Mae Sai District, where the situation has begun to improve and is entering the recovery phase, and many affected shops have been rehabilitated, how much will the maximum compensation according to the budget framework be? Mr. Anutin said that today the Prime Minister will request the central budget himself and Ms. Thirat will go to the area on behalf of the Ministry of Interior, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior is in the area. Finding ways to provide assistance and compensation will occur. The more the Prime Minister is on the job, the more correct decisions will be made. Mr. Anutin emphasized that the mass of water that will come from Myanmar has been assessed all the time. As for whether any additional assistance is needed, Mr. Anutin said that all the organizations involved in rescue and relief are already in the area. In addition, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has machinery and equipment on standby in the area, ready to be immediately called upon. At the current situation, everything is sufficient. Reporters have seen officials help people trapped in their homes to evacuate safely. Source: Thai News Agency