Bangkok: Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul declined to comment on the resignation of Prime Minister Pan, which has been linked to the ongoing floods in Hat Yai. The Prime Minister’s response, or lack thereof, came immediately after a Cabinet meeting at Government House, where he quickly exited without addressing the media’s inquiries.

According to Thai News Agency, when questioned by reporters about his stance on Mr. Chada Thaiset’s decision to expel Mayor Pan, the Mayor of Hat Yai Municipality, Anutin simply laughed and chose not to respond. Mr. Thaiset, an MP for Uthai Thani and leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, had made the decision amidst growing criticism over the handling of the flood crisis.

Further attempts by the media to gain insight into the government’s strategy for flood victim compensation were also met with limited success. Anutin indicated that Mr. Paradorn Prisananantakul, Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office, would be responsible for providing clarification on the matter. The compensation plan has been a topic of interest, with a proposed allocation of 2 million baht for those affected by the floods.

In a move that further fueled media speculation, Anutin departed Government House for a private lunch, without disclosing his agenda to the press. He is expected to return to Government House later in the afternoon, leaving reporters and the public eagerly awaiting further updates on the government’s response to the flood situation in Hat Yai.