Thai Army Chief urges people to leave flooded homes

BANGKOK, October 31 (TNA) - Thai Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha has urged people in Bangkok’s Sai Mai district to leave their flooded homes but also reiterated that the army has enough manpower to take care of everyone. The army chief issued the statement on Monday after inspecting troops and flood victims in the district where flood impacts continue to expand. General Prayuth said he has instructed local troops to coordinate with district offices to ensure quick relief response. He stressed that the army has enough manpower for relief efforts, noting that 20 more companies have been ordered to move to Bangkok while another 20 are on standby in other provinces. On a report that local politicians and residents are threatening to destroy the towns’ dykes, General Prayuth said he has discussed the matter with the prime minister and advised her to use peaceful approaches to address the problem in order to protect the country’s image. (TNA)