Government Initiates Legal Support for Flood-Affected Businesses in Southern Provinces.

Bangkok: The government is advancing efforts to assist legal entities in eight southern provinces affected by severe flooding. Measures have been put into place to extend deadlines for registering legal entities, reporting lost accounts and documents, and submitting financial statements following the cessation of the flood situation. According to Thai News Agency, Deputy Government Spokesperson Mr. Anukul Prueksanusak stated that the devastating flood situation in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Trang, Satun, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat has prompted comprehensive government intervention. The government is coordinating with all relevant agencies to provide extensive support to flood victims in the region. Mr. Anukul mentioned that for the business sector, the government has directed the Department of Business Development under the Ministry of Commerce to deliver urgent aid. This includes allowing juristic persons with headquarters in affected areas to apply for extensions in legal processes if they are unable to comply with deadlines due to the flooding. The measures cover the extension of time for registration, submission of shareholder lists, and reporting of lost or damaged documents. Those affected can request an extension by providing evidence of flood impact, which will be evaluated by the relevant officials. Juristic persons have a 15-day window from the end of the flooding to submit their requests. Additionally, in cases where legal accusations arise due to non-compliance during the flooding, the affected entities can present evidence to potentially have their cases dismissed without penalties. According to information from the Department of Business Development as of November 30, 2024, the flooding impacted 31,759 businesses across the eight provinces, with a combined registered capital of 231,616.30 million baht. Specifically, Songkhla hosts 13,109 businesses with a capital of 135,015.44 million baht; Nakhon Si Thammarat has 7,329 businesses with 34,401.35 million baht; Trang has 2,950 businesses with 22,374.88 million baht; Phatthalung has 2,117 businesses with 5,637 million baht; Yala has 1,817 businesses with 11,787.44 million baht; Pattani has 1,753 businesses with 9,543.10 million baht; Narathiwat has 1,743 businesses with 8,415.09 million baht; and Satun has 941 businesses with 4,442 million baht.