Bangkok: Supamas Isaraphakdi, Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office and Director of the Media Coordination and Public Information Center, convened a meeting with the media center to strategize on improving the communication of accurate and timely information regarding the ongoing flooding in the southern provinces. This initiative aims to address the confusion caused by misinformation and fake news.
According to Thai News Agency, the meeting, chaired by Ms. Supamas, focused on formulating guidelines to effectively communicate the flood situation, as well as the assistance, relief, and rehabilitation efforts for affected citizens in the South. Attendees included representatives from various agencies and media outlets, such as MCOT. The Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, participated at the meeting’s conclusion.
Ms. Supamas highlighted the necessity of a reliable, unified communication system to ensure that the public receives clear and timely updates on the flood situation, which continues to impact numerous provinces. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has enacted Prime Ministerial Order No. 11/2025, appointing him as Director of the Media Coordination and Public Information Center. This center is tasked with consolidating and disseminating information from all government agencies to minimize confusion and curb the spread of fake news during crises.
The center, under Ms. Supamas’s leadership, has coordinated efforts with multiple entities, including the Army, the Ministry of Interior, and the Ministry of Public Health, among others, to compile a comprehensive data set. This official data will be utilized by media as a reliable source for public communication, ensuring accuracy and preventing misinformation.
The information will be disseminated in various formats, such as one-page infographics featuring disaster maps and zoning by severity, to aid in area management and assistance efforts. The public will be informed about risk areas, shelters, donation centers, and other essential information.
Plans for relief and recovery are underway, encompassing transport routes and essential service points offering food, water, and repair services. Efforts to restore public utilities and essential services, including electricity, water, and communication towers, are prioritized. Economic relief measures from the Ministry of Finance will be gradually introduced, providing support for both citizens and business owners. The center will issue landslide and transportation warnings twice daily to all media outlets to maintain consistent and reliable reporting, reducing public confusion and panic.
Ms. Supamas emphasized the Prime Minister’s commitment to ensuring that information is accurately and swiftly conveyed to the public.