Songkhla: Pheu Thai Party has proposed four urgent measures to assist residents after recent floods, highlighting the government’s lack of preparedness in setting up evacuation centers.
According to Thai News Agency, party leader Mr. Chulaphan Amornvivat, along with deputy leader Ms. Thirat Samretwanich and Dr. Sriyada Palimaphun, held a press conference to discuss their visit to flood victims in Songkhla Province.
Mr. Chulaphan explained that their visit to Hat Yai on November 30th aimed to support disaster victims and gather concerns to present to the government for prompt action. The first measure involves expediting the identification of deceased individuals and establishing transparent compensation criteria to ensure a swift and fair process. Simplifying the identification and compensation process is crucial to help families conduct religious rites timely.
Second, the party emphasized the importance of psychological support. Collaborating with local psychologists, they aim to provide professional consultations to help affected individuals, particularly vulnerable groups, adjust and return to normalcy. Mobile teams and telemedicine are recommended to reach remote areas.
The third measure calls for concrete recovery actions, such as restoring public utilities and addressing mud-covered homes. Drawing from past experiences, the party urges the government to quickly implement solutions to prevent further issues. Repair centers, previously operated by the Pheu Thai government, could provide basic repairs for damaged vehicles and electrical appliances.
Finally, a medium- to long-term economic relief plan is needed to stimulate the regional economy. This includes reducing expenses on utilities and taxes, alongside initial relief measures to support citizens.
Ms. Thirat highlighted the Pheu Thai Party’s swift action in deploying personnel to assist flood victims in Hat Yai District and nearby areas. A kitchen has been set up to distribute food daily, demonstrating the party’s commitment to rapid response despite challenging conditions.
Fieldwork revealed significant obstacles, including the absence of shelters and inadequate government mobilization of necessary resources. Ms. Thirat criticized the administration’s inefficiency during the crisis, pointing to chaotic scenes as water levels rose.
Dr. Sriyada expressed concern over the identification of deceased individuals, noting discrepancies in reported death tolls. Official figures estimate over 140 casualties, while local reports suggest 177. Volunteer accounts indicate the toll could be higher, prompting calls for the government to confirm centralized figures promptly.