Bangkok: The Cabinet has approved an additional financial framework aimed at providing relief to flood victims during the 2024 rainy season, along with the annual budget for fiscal year 2025.

According to Thai News Agency, the central budget includes a reserve fund for emergencies or necessary cases, with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation designated as the budget recipient. The assistance will be disbursed to victims via the Government Savings Bank in the form of a general subsidy, as proposed by the Ministry of Interior.

The Deputy Government Spokesperson, Ms. Sasikarn Wattanachan, announced that the central budget for 2025, totaling 781.88 million baht, will cater to 86,876 households affected by flooding during the 2024 rainy season. The budget addresses situations in two phases: from May 20 to November 2, 2024, in the provinces of Chainat, Buriram, Samut Sakhon, and Singburi; and from November 3 to December 31, 2024, in 13 other provinces, including Krabi, Chumphon, and Nakhon Si Thammarat, among others. These areas had previously been approved for relief, but further surveys indicated additional assistance was needed.

The Cabinet has tasked the Ministry of Interior and related agencies with considering the relevant opinions for further action. The disbursement of the approved assistance must be finalized within 15 working days from the date of budget allocation, as resolved by the Cabinet.