December 2, 2025 | 12:19 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has apologized for his government’s shortcomings in protecting citizens affected by recent floods and vowed to implement improvements.
During a field visit to flood-hit areas, Anutin personally met residents and expressed regret over the government’s failure to safeguard affected communities.
He pointed to Hat Yai’s bowl-shaped topography as a key factor in its vulnerability and stressed the need to redesign roads for better drainage. He also called for stricter and more timely evacuation warnings.
According to the Bangkok Post, Anutin, who also serves as Interior Minister, visited Hat Yai on Sunday with senior officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas. The delegation inspected the damage firsthand and approved an emergency financial package.
The Prime Minister emphasized that on-site assessments are critical to understanding the full extent of the disaster and accelerating the government’s response.
Prior to the visit, Anutin met at Government House with Ekniti, Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office Paradorn Prissanananthakul, and permanent secretary for commerce Vuttikrai Leewiraphan to outline short-term relief measures.
The government has approved assistance of 9,000 baht (approximately Rp4.6 million) per household. Anutin instructed the Ministry of Interior to expedite the compilation of beneficiary lists so the funds can reach affected families as early as next week.
While earlier reports suggested aid could reach up to 30,000 baht per household, Anutin clarified that support will come from multiple sources.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation will provide the initial 9,000 baht, with additional allocations potentially covering home repairs of up to 45,000 baht, depending on verified damages.
Further support includes interest-free recovery loans of up to 100,000 baht per person for six months, and separate loans of up to 100,000 baht per household for property rehabilitation with a one-year repayment period.
The floods have devastated southern Thailand, claiming at least 131 lives in Songkhla province and 176 nationwide, according to Al Jazeera. Public services are gradually being restored in the hardest-hit areas, but around 76,000 children remain out of school as local governments work to restore essential facilities.
Meteorologists have warned that isolated rains will continue in some areas as the storm system weakens. Winds and waves in the Gulf of Thailand and the Indian Ocean are expected to exceed one meter, prompting advisories for ships to exercise caution.
Despite ongoing challenges, recovery efforts are underway. Songkhla’s provincial government reported that about 80 percent of tap water services have been restored, with full service expected by Wednesday.
Three mobile water treatment units are producing 180,000 liters of clean water per day, while the first group of approximately 26,000 residents will begin receiving the approved 9,000 baht assistance starting today.
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