Bangkok: The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior has issued directives to the governors of all 76 provinces to review existing guidelines regarding the allocation of budgets aimed at assisting citizens during natural disasters. This initiative seeks to ensure that local administrative organizations are prepared to provide timely assistance to those affected.

According to Thai News Agency, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Arsit Sampanrat, emphasized the need for local administrative organizations to adhere to specific guidelines, supported by the Ministry of Interior's regulations and directives, to facilitate efficient and timely relief efforts. The objective is to ensure that affected citizens are promptly supported and relieved from their hardships.

Mr. Sampanrat elaborated that provincial governors and district officers have been tasked with overseeing the operations of local administrative organizations to ensure compliance with relevant laws and government rules. Three key guidelines have been outlined for budget utilization in the event of natural disasters:

1. Local administrative organizations are authorized to use the central government's reserve fund for immediate assistance. Should this fund prove insufficient, financial resources from less critical budget items may be reallocated to the reserve fund to aid the public.

2. In situations where a local administrative organization lacks adequate budgetary provisions, the local administrator is permitted to approve the use of accumulated funds as necessary.

3. If utilizing the local administrative organization's budget could potentially impact its ability to provide essential public services, the organization must report to the relevant government agency. This allows the agency to intervene and assist without the local organization needing to exhaust its budget first.

These measures are designed to enhance the responsiveness and efficiency of the local administrative organizations in dealing with the challenges posed by natural disasters.