Evacuees depart from buses in
Chonburi. For some, it was their second evacuation since the flood crisis moved
into the Bangkok metropolitan region last month.
Staff reporters
So far spared the flooding that has devastated much of the
country, Chonburi has begun taking thousands of evacuees from Bangkok and
central Thailand.
More than 10,000 refugees from the Rangsit and Don Muang
International Airport evacuation centers - which finally succumbed to flooding
themselves - began arriving in the province last week. For many, it was their
second refugee center since the flood crisis moved into the Bangkok metropolitan
region last month.
About 8,000 evacuees are being split equally between the
Institute of Physical Education’s Chonburi Campus and Chonburi Sports Academy.
Groups of 1,000 flood victims each also will go to the Chonburi Ruam Jai Sala
and U-Tapao Temple, About 2,000 will be housed at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo’s Boy
Scout Camp in Sriracha and groups of 200 to 500 will be dispatched to Khao Bang
Thrai Temple, the Institute for Skill Development’s Region 3 campus, the
Provincial Police Training Academy, and Chonburi Community Development and
Learning.
With these centers all filling up to capacity, plans are also
afoot to start housing refugees at the Indoor Sports Arena and other places here
in Pattaya.
Culture Minister Sukamol Kunplome and Chonburi Gov. Wichit
Chatpaisit inspected the Institute of Physical Education and Chonburi Sports
School Oct. 25 to complete preparations for the first load of evacuees arriving
that day.
Sukamol called for the deployment of 2,000 liters of drinking
water and for opaque shields to be installed in the women’s shower and more
restrooms constructed.
She also requested that medical teams be made available for
each building. Public Health specialist Dr. Marut Jitsetsiri said area hospitals
are donating staff to man the shelter medical teams and that any serious cases
will be transferred immediately to Chonburi Hospital, which has up to 30 beds
standing by.
The province also set up 20-member public relations teams to
meet with evacuees daily to ensure the best living conditions possible under the
circumstances. Evacuees dined in 10 tents even as the Chonburi Red Cross
appealed for more food donations.
As relocated victims poured in, The gym floor quickly came to
resemble a colorful patchwork of red mats, dome tents and sprawling bodies.
Downstairs hordes of volunteers bustled about, handing out basic supplies,
giving financial advice and even organizing local trips to lift people’s
spirits.
Lukthung TV Thai owner Veerawat Yomjinda is doing his part to
brighten the refugees’ lives, organizing a free concert at the flood relief
center featuring Tik Shiro, Sek Loso and other musical acts.
Wichit said Chonburi is ready to assist any flood victims in
need of help, with facilities that provide safety, meals, electricity, drainage
and communication. To aid the Institute of Physical Education, contact Supaporn
at 089-1577159 or Surinrat at 081-8649987.
