Sattahip: HTMS Chakri Naruebet, along with personnel and disaster relief supplies, departed from Sattahip Naval Base, Chonburi Province, heading for Songkhla last night. Meanwhile, the navy has dispatched a C-130 to carry supplies and personnel to help with flood relief.
According to Thai News Agency, the HTMS Chakri Naruebet, along with personnel and disaster relief supplies from the Royal Thai Navy, departed from Sattahip Naval Base in Chonburi Province, bound for Songkhla Province at 11:00 PM last night to assist people affected by the severe flooding, particularly in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, and surrounding areas. The Royal Thai Navy’s Facebook page posted a video of the ship transporting a large amount of relief supplies, equipment, food, and medicine to assist with flood relief efforts in the South. The ship is expected to arrive today.
HTMS Chakri Naruebet has the capability to serve as a floating air base for helicopter and drone operations. It can also serve as a floating kitchen capable of producing approximately 3,000 cooked meals per day to support airlifts to disaster-affected areas. A medical team has also been deployed on board to serve as a floating hospital when needed. The Royal Thai Navy is also preparing to deploy HTMS Chang and HTMS Angthong as a second wave of assistance should additional personnel be needed.
If citizens, agencies, organizations, or foundations wish to donate food, drinking water, and other essential items, they can donate at the Royal Thai Navy Civil Affairs Department, call 02 475 3023, or at the local navy unit near your home.
The army has sent C-130s to carry supplies and personnel to help with flood relief.
Lt. Gen. Wanchana Sawasdee, spokesman for the Flood Emergency Operations Center (FOC), announced the deployment of personnel, medical teams, and equipment to support field missions, including relief supplies from the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, to reinforce efforts to assist flood victims in Songkhla Province. The deployment included prepared consumer goods, flat-bottomed boats, jet skis, medical equipment, and drones. All supplies will be transported aboard a C-130 aircraft, along with personnel including a medical rescue unit, drone flight unit, military personnel, and other personnel involved in the operation.
Lt. Gen. Wanchana revealed that a Forward Flood Emergency Response Operations Center (FROOC) has been established, overseen by the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Armed Forces. The public can contact the Forward Flood Emergency Response Operations Center in the area of Wing 56. Any agencies wishing to assist the public are requested to coordinate with this center first, for ease of management.
Regarding the current rescue efforts, the Air Force has dispatched at least three flights. In addition, the private sector has provided drones to the Army, and the Army’s drone team has been deployed to the area since yesterday. The drones are helping identify the coordinates of people who have not yet left the area to provide assistance.