Bangkok: The Ministry of Finance has reported that recent floods in southern regions have resulted in initial damages amounting to 28 billion baht, affecting the economies of nine provinces. The Ministry is expediting financial relief and rehabilitation measures for the flood victims.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Winij Wisetsuvarnabhumi, the Director-General of the Fiscal Policy Office and spokesperson for the Ministry of Finance, stated that the flooding, which began in mid-November 2015, has spread to 12 provinces with the latest impact on Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Phatthalung, Satun, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat. These provinces collectively have a Gross Provincial Product valued at 544 billion baht. The Ministry’s damage estimate stands at 28 billion baht, reflecting significant impacts on homes, livelihoods, and businesses.
To address these challenges, the Cabinet approved financial measures on December 2, 2025, to provide assistance, relief, and rehabilitation for flood victims. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) announced several projects:
1. The Assistance Project offers a 12-month suspension of principal and interest payments for Specialized Financial Institutions (SFIs) debtors, with interest waived during this period. Debtors can apply by January 31, 2026.
2. The Southern Flood Relief Loan Project provides emergency liquidity, offering loans up to 100,000 baht at a 0% interest rate for one year. Applications are open until March 31, 2026.
3. The Southern Flood Victim Rehabilitation Loan Project supports home and business repairs with loans up to 1,000,000 baht at 0% interest for one year. The application deadline is June 30, 2026.
For those with debts from commercial banks and non-bank financial services, the Ministry of Finance is coordinating with the Bank of Thailand to offer solutions aligned with SFIs’ assistance guidelines.
These measures aim to support the public, farmers, and entrepreneurs in reducing costs, providing working capital, and allowing them to rehabilitate their homes and businesses. Affected individuals are encouraged to contact their financial institutions for assistance. The Ministry of Finance will monitor the situation to ensure a swift return to normalcy for those affected.