Bangkok: A government spokesman reiterated that the appointment of Lt. Col. Thammanat Prompao as the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives will not overlap with the responsibilities of the Army Commander-in-Chief. The spokesman emphasized the need to distinguish between policy and operational roles, especially in the context of managing natural disasters.
According to Thai News Agency, Prime Minister’s Office spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat responded to academic concerns about the redundancy of assigning deputy prime ministers to flood-affected regions in the south. Siripong clarified that the appointment of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces to manage the situation is separate from the roles of the deputy prime ministers. Each deputy prime minister is assigned to oversee policy implementation within their respective provinces, while the Supreme Commander handles the overall situation under the Emergency Decree.
In Songkhla Province, the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, appointed by the Prime Minister, manages the overall situation, ensuring there is no overlap in responsibilities. Siripong confirmed that Lt. Col. Thammanat’s role in Songkhla focuses on overseeing the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, which includes the Royal Irrigation Department and participation in the Water Management and Natural Disaster Policy Committee.
Siripong further explained that the Royal Irrigation Department’s responsibilities, such as managing water gates, fall under Lt. Col. Thammanat’s purview. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) law is not applicable in this context, as the Prime Minister holds the authority as the Minister of Interior, allowing for swift and cross-ministerial coordination.
The Emergency Decree facilitates the mobilization of personnel across sectors to address the flooding in Songkhla Province, where a state of emergency has been declared. This grants the Prime Minister the authority to issue direct orders and implement regulations promptly. Additionally, exceptions to legal requirements can be made, and compensation provided to those affected, as these measures are considered special laws.