Bangkok: The Prime Minister has ordered the establishment of a water management center, appointing Thammanat as its director. Prime Minister’s Office Spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat disclosed that Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, also serving as Chairman of the Natural Disaster Situation Management Committee (NDMC), has signed an agreement to set up the Natural Disaster Water Management Center. The center will be directed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Captain Thammanat Prompao. Its primary role will be to oversee the integration of various agencies involved in water management to deliver immediate and effective assistance to the public during natural disasters.

According to Thai News Agency, the government has taken urgent measures to address the flooding situation in Songkhla Province and its neighboring provinces. The Songkhla Provincial Central Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command Center (Forward) acts as the forward command for aid distribution across five southern provinces: Satun, Songkhla, Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat. This center coordinates and directs resources to areas impacted by disasters, focusing on local support and providing necessary disaster relief machinery, including small boats, flat-bottomed boats with engines, water pumps, forklifts, drinking water production vehicles, food preparation vehicles, Bailey bridges, and generators to support relief efforts fully.

All 16 districts in Songkhla Province have been declared disaster zones, prompting the immediate evacuation of residents, especially vulnerable groups, to temporary shelters provided by the government. These shelters include the Prince of Songkla University International Convention Center, the Songkhla Rajabhat University Auditorium, and the Songkhla Naval Area Command’s Second Naval Area Command. Relevant agencies have been quick to deploy personnel to assist residents, with water levels being closely monitored. Agencies have been urged to mobilize personnel, machinery, and equipment without delay to support residents.

Siripong emphasized the government’s commitment to assisting people in flood-stricken areas, stating, “The government places the utmost importance on caring for people in flood-affected areas. This outreach center will ensure effective relief efforts. Deputy Prime Minister Thammanat, as Director of the outreach center, has been closely monitoring the flood situation in the South and has instructed relevant agencies. He has also urged them to expedite assistance to all areas and coordinate immediate additional resources. He emphasized that operations must continue until the situation improves and the public can safely return to normal.”