Seven Submerged Thai Industrial Estates to Start Operations

AYUTTHAYA, December 4 (TNA) – Thai Industry Minister Dr. Wannarat Channukul said Sunday he is confident that all seven industrial estates which were heavily damaged by severe flood would resume full operations within next March or April. Speaking to journalists after inspecting damages at Saha Rattana Nakorn Industrial Estate in Ayutthaya province, near Bangkok, Dr. Wannarat said he had received reports that all the seven industrial estates are now undertaking rehabilitation process. Many of them have already started operations. Simultaneously, the government is preparing rehabilitation plans for industries which were affected from the severe flood while it is mapping out measures to prevent flood from reoccurring, he said. Seven industrial estates in Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani provinces were hit by deep flood amid fears earlier that many plant operators would relocate their businesses elsewhere on concerns of the disaster in future. The Industry Ministry and concerned agencies are now planning to organise roadshows in overseas to assure businessmen that Thailand is now survived from flood and that the government is planning to map out a long-term plan protecting the disaster in future, Dr. Wannarat said. Touching on reports that some affected firms may close down and terminate their employees, he said both Labour and Industry ministries would assist the would-be laid off employees to receive employment at firms which are recruiting more staff. Meanwhile, permanent secretary for Defence Gen. Sathian Phoemthong-in and a senior official of the government-run Flood Relief Operations Command (FROC) revisited flood victims at a community in Lak Si area today. Mobile medical units treated patients while mosquito repellent was sprayed in the community hit by flood before. They also distributed flashlights and medicines to the people. Army officials had earlier treated water which had polluted in the area. Gen. Sathian said later that his officials would coordinate with FROC in assisting flood victims and help rehabilitate people in flooded areas after water has receded. (TNA)