BURIRAM, Thailand – Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul has directed all 14 southern provinces to set up incident command centers, enhance early warning systems, and prepare disaster declarations to ensure timely assistance ahead of heavy rainfall.
On October 4, 2026, the Prime Minister chaired a National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command meeting via video conference from Buriram Provincial Hall. Cabinet members and provincial governors nationwide joined to review flood conditions and preparations for rainfall expected from October 4 to 7.
The Prime Minister outlined four urgent priorities, beginning with damage assessments covering lives, property, homes, agricultural areas, and infrastructure. He instructed agencies to expedite transparent compensation procedures, especially for households affected from September 25 to 26, to ensure eligible residents receive 9,000 baht in assistance promptly. The second priority is to restore flood-affected communities through drainage, waste removal, sanitation, and large-scale cleaning. The third is to urgently restore electricity, water, roads, telecommunications, and other essential services.
The fourth priority directs southern governors to review local emergency response plans and prepare rescue teams, pumps, boats, evacuation centers, and support for vulnerable groups, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas. The Prime Minister also emphasized the need for advance warnings and adequate evacuation facilities, with provincial authorities, the Fourth Army Area, and relevant agencies coordinating preparations.
He noted that while conditions in the Northeast remain manageable, Bangkok and surrounding provinces must accelerate drainage efforts to prevent water stagnation and related health hazards.
The Prime Minister reassured the public about the new national disaster insurance program, which covers 30 million households. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and local authorities will coordinate directly with insurance companies to ensure swift, transparent compensation. (NNT)
