Hat yai: Following a morning visit to monitor the rehabilitation of the Mongkhon Harsa community in Hat Yai Municipality, Mr. Arsit Sampantharat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, convened a meeting to follow up on the progress of the rehabilitation of the Hat Yai Municipality area. This initiative is in accordance with the directive of Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, who stated, “Hat Yai residents can return home within 7 days, and must be clean within 14 days.” The meeting saw attendance from key officials including Mr. Phasakon Boonyalak, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior and Head of the Internal Security Affairs Mission Group, among others. The discussions took place at the Central Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command Center (Front) in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Arsit Sampantharat has tasked the Ministry of Interior team with overseeing the rehabilitation of Hat Yai City’s Zone 3. This zone spans from Rural Highway 2029 to Khlong U-Tapao, covering 8.5 kilometers and 55 kilometers of minor roads. Detailed zone maps will be developed, and sub-zones will be delineated with assigned leaders. Mr. Chairat Kaewphiangphen, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, has been appointed as the chief operator for the disaster machinery. This includes coordination with the Department of Public Works, Town and Country Planning, and the 4,012 Volunteer Defense Corps personnel in the area.

Mr. Sampantharat emphasized the need for continuous operations with personnel working in shifts around the clock, prioritizing nighttime operations for convenience. Each sub-operation team is required to document their tasks with before-and-after images to ensure transparency and effectiveness. These images will be compiled by the DDPM center and assessed in collaboration with the military to measure the success of the operation. The safety and hygiene of personnel are also prioritized, with designated officers overseeing these aspects.

Waste management is another critical focus, with designated areas prepared to handle the waste volume. The Saphan Dam intersection is set to accommodate 20,000 tons, while areas behind the district chief’s residence and the Hat Yai Volunteer Defense Corps Company 4 can handle 40,000 tons. Hat Yai Municipality, along with its partners, will manage the transportation of waste to the Koh Tao Power Plant for disposal.