Songkhla: 715 factories in Songkhla were damaged by flooding, costing more than 1,282 million baht, while 17 power plants were unable to produce electricity. Thanakorn ordered urgent coordination with the Krabi and Khanom power plants to increase replacement production capacity. He pointed out that factories in the industrial estate are like egg yolks. Although the floodwaters haven’t inundated the industrial estate, raw materials cannot be brought in because they are surrounded by water. He has instructed the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank (SME Bank) to implement relief measures.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Thanakorn Wangboonkhongchana, Minister of Industry, disclosed the flooding situation in the South, particularly in Songkhla Province. The Songkhla Provincial Industry Office reported that the number of factories affected by the flooding in the districts of Hat Yai, Chana, Na Thawi, Thepha, Saba Yoi, Bang Klam, Rattaphum, Sadao, Ranot, Kuan Niang, Na Mom, and Khlong Hoi Khong included 29 food processing factories, 97 rubberwood processing factories, 103 rubber product factories, 44 plastic product factories, 53 metal product factories, 310 excavation and sand dredging factories, and 79 service factories. A total of 715 factories have been affected, with damage estimated at 1.282 billion baht.
Additionally, 17 power plants, both public and private, are unable to produce electricity. Initially, relevant agencies have been ordered to coordinate with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) to request that Krabi and Khanom power plants increase their production capacity to provide additional assistance. Factories in the industrial estate, although water has not yet flooded the estate, are unable to operate due to the inability to bring raw materials into the factories. The area currently resembles an egg yolk, surrounded by water.
Regarding flood relief measures, Mr. Thanakorn stated that he has assigned the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand (SME Bank) to expedite relief measures for those affected. The following measures are available for existing customers: debt suspension for loans, emergency fund top-up for immediate business recovery, and low-interest loans for both existing and new customers. These measures are part of the government’s broader efforts, led by Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, to monitor the situation and develop assistance guidelines to overcome the crisis.
“The Prime Minister personally visited the area and ordered all agencies to provide assistance to the people as quickly as possible. Therefore, I coordinated with Mr. Sastra Sripan, a Songkhla MP from the Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party, who is currently operating a coordination center to assist people in the area. I learned that in addition to Mr. Sastra personally visiting the area, he has also coordinated with the private sector and students to provide assistance,” said Mr. Thanakorn.