BANGKOK, Thailand – Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul instructed all government agencies to implement coordinated, proactive disaster response measures during a regional flood-monitoring meeting in Nan province on August 23. The Prime Minister has reviewed conditions in northern and northeastern Thailand with Cabinet members, Nan Governor Chainarong Wongyai, and provincial governors who joined via video conference.
The Prime Minister expressed his condolences to those who lost their lives and people who are affected by the disaster. Although water levels have mostly returned to normal, he instructed authorities to maintain personnel and resources throughout the rainy season, restore damaged transport links, and enhance flood and flash flood forecasts and public warnings.
The Flooding in Nan from August 19–22 affected seven districts and 23 subdistricts, damaging 23,827 households and affecting 67,129 people. Three fatalities were reported, while eight major and secondary roads and numerous village roads sustained damage. The Prime Minister has instructed agencies such as the Royal Irrigation Department and road authorities to deploy resources directly rather than relying solely on provincial administrations or the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. The Provincial Electricity Authority and the Provincial Waterworks Authority were directed to form joint teams to carry out urgent utility repairs.
The Prime Minister also directed governors to coordinate closely with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and local administrative organizations to ensure modern, accessible alerts reach every village. The Prime Minister stated that areas where water has receded must begin repairs immediately, while at-risk and downstream communities should remain on alert. The Cabinet has authorized Deputy Prime Minister Yodchanan Wongsawat to serve as the primary commander for the northern region, empowering him to direct policies and approve emergency budgets to accelerate relief efforts. (NNT)
