Hat yai: Chulaphan Amornvivat, leader of the Pheu Thai Party and Chiang Mai MP, has urged the government to adopt four immediate steps to tackle the escalating flood crisis in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province. The region is grappling with critical flooding, resulting in the paralysis of vital public utilities.
According to Thai News Agency, Chulaphan highlighted the dire situation in Hat Yai via social media, noting that the current disaster is predominantly an “urban flood” affecting the economic hub rather than a mud-induced calamity as seen in Chiang Rai. He emphasized the urgent need to address the city’s water and electricity infrastructure vulnerabilities.
Chulaphan’s first recommendation is to address the “clean water” crisis. With the local water filtration plant out of service, he proposes that the government deploy mobile drinking water production vehicles from the armed forces and the Department of Groundwater Resources to provide immediate relief.
The second recommendation involves enhancing the warning system with an “Action plan.” Chulaphan suggests using a Cell broadcast system to deliver clear and actionable alerts to residents, specifying evacuation zones, vehicle locations, and water pickup points.
Recognizing Hat Yai’s status as a trading city, Chulaphan’s third recommendation focuses on creating an “Economic shield” to mitigate supply chain disruptions.
Finally, Chulaphan calls for the appointment of an emergency commander to oversee the crisis response effectively. He stresses the need for the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Thailand to introduce debt repayment suspension and soft loan measures to prevent economic collapse.
Chulaphan expressed that while the crisis is severe, effective management and swift action could alleviate the burden. He reassured the people of Songkhla of the Pheu Thai Party’s support and commitment to monitoring the situation closely.