Hat yai: The Prime Minister arrived in Hat Yai to express concern about the flooding situation in the South, noting that Hat Yai is the hardest hit. He is ready to mobilize sufficient survival kits and food, fearing a rice shortage among the population. He is also expediting the survey and approval of financial aid.
According to Thai News Agency, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul and his entourage arrived at Hat Yai International Airport at 4:25 PM. Songkhla Governor Ratthasart Chidchoo was on hand to greet them and provide an update on the flooding situation in the area, the amount of rainfall, and the evacuation of people from various hotels.
Mr. Anutin then greeted tourists inside the airport and received dried cashew nuts from a Serbian tourist. He then inspected the food distribution points for those stranded at the airport before boarding a Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) elevated vehicle to travel to the temporary shelter at Thesaban 4 School (Wat Khlong Rian) to offer support to those affected.
During his trip, the Prime Minister stopped at the PTT Klong Wa gas station to inspect the damage caused by the floods and distributed ready-to-eat meals and relief packages to flood victims.
The reporter then asked the Prime Minister whether the situation would be worrisome if it rained again. The Prime Minister replied that if it didn’t rain, he would be worried to death.
Regarding the initial report from the Songkhla governor, the Prime Minister stated that the flooding situation remains severe due to continuous rain falling since the night of November 22nd. However, what we are concerned about is the availability of various support services, particularly food. On November 22nd, we saw a food shortage as all roads were cut off and ingredients for cooking could not be obtained. However, throughout the day, repairs have been made, and no problems are expected, as food is being sourced from neighboring provinces.
The Prime Minister stated that importantly, we have established five shelter and evacuation centers. He has been informed that the Provincial Electricity Authority has prepared power supply trucks at each shelter.
When asked about the current water level, the Prime Minister stated that all areas are flooded. Khlong R.1 is considered the primary water transport area for the sea. Water also flowed down from Sadao District on the night of November 22nd. This differs from the central region, where the water has already flowed and has no outlet to the sea, instead flowing into the Chao Phraya River. However, the southern region can still drain water, although the incoming water is greater than the outgoing water. Regarding predictions of rising water levels, the Prime Minister stated that the Meteorological Department’s report indicates a decrease.
When asked if the five shelters were sufficient, the Prime Minister said, “We have five shelters in total. Villagers have a choice. Some are staying with relatives nearby. Not everyone has to come to the shelters. If they have a choice, they can choose to stay in their own areas. We are expediting the provision of basic necessities and complete meals.”
When asked if compensation funds were already prepared, the Prime Minister stated that they were already prepared and were currently under investigation. He added that they would approve the amount or provide a principle for the Cabinet to acknowledge, as the damages already met the criteria. The 9,000 baht per family would be allocated.
When asked if there were other areas of concern besides Hat Yai, the Prime Minister stated that the most concerning area was Hat Yai. Phatthalung Province also experienced flooding, but not as severely as Hat Yai. The provincial governor has declared it a disaster area, and several ministers have already deployed to the area with assistance. However, this is my second visit to Hat Yai because this area has been hit the hardest. Residents are trapped in their homes and tourists stuck in hotels are still unable to leave. We must attend to this situation and ensure that everything is resolved. This includes those unable to travel due to cancelled flights due to heavy rain. However, from my surveys and recent conversations with residents, 95% have already been repatriated. Government agencies will provide transportation to assist the public.
“The most important thing right now is food. The scariest thing is not having food. Nothing is more frightening than not having food. If there’s flooding and hunger, it will only lead to more chaos. We need to organize all priorities,” the Prime Minister said.
Regarding reports of thieves stealing property while residents are away, the Prime Minister stated that there are currently none. When a situation like this arises, everyone mobilizes to provide care to the people. Village Security Forces (VSF), Volunteer Defense Corps (VDF), and police officers are deployed to the area. This is crucial because, before we ask people to leave for shelter, we must first reassure them that their homes are safe. All of this is already part of the provincial governor’s emergency response plan.