Government Accelerates Flood Relief

BANGKOK, Nov 28 (TNA) - Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced the acceleration of economic aid and relief efforts for residents and entrepreneurs affected by severe flooding, focusing heavily on Hat Yai and Southern provinces. 

To ensure quick action, the PM has delegated emergency authority to Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers, allowing their directives in their assigned flooded areas—including Hat Yai, which is under an Emergency Decree—to be treated as equivalent to the Prime Minister’s own orders. 

The government established a comprehensive aid framework that includes waiving regulations for operational flexibility and coordinating across ministries. 

Key financial measures, detailed by Deputy PM/Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, include debt moratoriums, rehabilitation loans, tax deductions, a 100 million baht immediate cash advance for governors, and the immediate disbursement of 9,000 baht in relief funds per household. 

Furthermore, the Ministry of Labor reported 10,000 damaged establishments affecting 200,000 workers, who will receive compensation of 50% of their daily wage for six months.

Public health matters are being managed by the Minister of Public Health, with preparations for field hospitals underway. 

As of November 27, the Command Centre reported 85 fatalities in Songkhla, with 55 directly attributed to the floods, though the PM noted that the situation is now improving in some areas. -819 (TNA)