BANGKOK, Thailand – The Cabinet has approved the establishment of a Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Fund to improve the speed and efficiency of assistance to people affected by natural disasters, and to extend funeral aid payments to flood victims in the southern provinces.
The fund will be created through amendments to the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act, providing a dedicated financial source for relief, compensation, and recovery. Authorities said the mechanism will address delays linked to reliance on the central budget, as disasters have become more frequent and severe.
Government data show that disaster-related spending totaled about 123 billion baht between 2003 and 2026, with an annual average of 5.3 billion baht. In 2026 alone, spending exceeded 25 billion baht. Officials said the fund will support faster and more consistent assistance, improve budget management, and ensure aid reaches affected communities, including vulnerable groups.
The Cabinet also approved an extension of funeral assistance payments for flooding in nine southern provinces in late 2025. Of the 164 million baht allocated, payments remain pending in more than 100 cases due to difficulties in locating relatives and resolving eligibility issues. The deadline has been extended to June 8 to allow authorities to complete disbursements and ensure all eligible families receive support. (NNT)
