BANGKOK, Thailand – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin has instructed the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) to immediately adjust portions of its budget to reinforce relief operations and ensure timely assistance to support communities in southern provinces affected by ongoing flooding.
DNP Director-General Atthaphon Charoenchansa reported that the directive follows severe flood conditions across multiple provinces, where continuous rainfall has left residents facing significant hardship. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the need for proactive response measures and directed all MNRE agencies to mobilize resources without delay.
In response, the DNP has assigned the Office of Planning and Information to coordinate with Protected Areas Regional Office 6 in Songkhla and its Pattani branch to swiftly reallocate funds for priority relief activities. These efforts include providing essential consumer goods, basic home repairs, and necessary equipment to support local recovery. The Department has also ordered protected area offices across the South and nearby provinces to deploy personnel, vehicles, flat-bottom boats, and rescue equipment to assist with evacuations, transport operations, and the distribution of cooked meals through mobile field kitchens.
The Director-General affirmed that the DNP stands ready to provide comprehensive support to affected communities. He noted that the accelerated budget realignment will enable faster, more targeted assistance, in line with the Deputy Prime Minister’s policy for the Ministry to serve as a reliable safeguard for the public during crises.
National park and wildlife sanctuary managers in high-risk areas have been instructed to strengthen monitoring of water conditions and coordinate closely with local officials to be fully prepared for any emergencies. (NNT)
