Songkhla: The Prime Minister has directed the Songkhla Front Center to address the flood crisis impacting five southern provinces. Thammanat, the chairman of the National Disaster Relief Committee (NDRC), has been tasked with expediting public assistance and has ordered the mobilization of additional personnel and equipment to the affected areas.

According to Thai News Agency, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, acting as Chairman of the Natural Disaster Situation Management Committee (NDMC), has signed an agreement to establish the Natural Disaster Water Management Center (NDMC). The center, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Captain Thammanat Prompao, will coordinate the integration of various agencies involved in water management to ensure immediate and effective assistance during disasters.

Mr. Siripong Angkasakulkiat, spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, disclosed that the government has implemented urgent measures to address the flooding in Songkhla Province and neighboring areas. The Songkhla Provincial Central Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command Center (Forward) has been designated as the main command center to support the five southern provinces of Satun, Songkhla, Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat. The center coordinates local support needs and provides 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.

Songkhla Province has declared disaster zones in all 16 districts and called for the immediate evacuation of residents, especially vulnerable groups, to temporary shelters such as 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 are actively working to provide aid to residents, with water levels under continuous monitoring.

Mr. Siripong emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting those in flood-affected regions. Deputy Prime Minister Thammanat, as Director of the outreach center, has been closely monitoring the situation and has instructed relevant agencies to accelerate assistance and coordinate additional resources. He stressed that operations will persist until conditions improve and residents can safely resume their normal lives.