Prime Minister Visits Chiang Rai to Oversee Flood Relief Efforts

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra visited flood-affected areas in Chiang Rai province on September 28, to assess the situation and oversee recovery operations. 

She received briefings from officials at the Mae Sai District Command Centre, including engineers from the military and the district chief, regarding the severe flooding in Mae Sai District's Ban Koh Sai and Ban Pha Jom villages.

During her visit, Prime Minister Paetongtarn announced that by October 1, 24 main roads and the Sai Lom Joy Market, heavily impacted by mudslides, will be cleared. Additionally, Ban Mai Lung Khon School, which was badly affected, is set to be restored. However, she noted that it would take approximately 45 days for full recovery, with normalcy expected by early November.

The Prime Minister acknowledged the severe damage to homes, with some structures buried under mud, leaving only their frames. A total of 64 homes were reported as completely destroyed, and the government is preparing to provide compensation as stipulated by law.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn also expressed concern for the city of Chiang Rai, which was hit by the floods later than Mae Sai but experienced similar devastation. She directed that once sufficient resources are allocated to Mae Sai, heavy and light machinery should be relocated to Chiang Rai to aid in the recovery, ensuring that Mae Sai's needs are fully met first.

While touring the flood-ravaged areas, the Prime Minister continuously updated her information with reports from local officials and General Songwit Noonpakdee, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, who provided real-time updates on the relief efforts.

In her interaction with residents and workers, Prime Minister Paetongtarn thanked the teams for their dedication and reassured affected communities that relief efforts were underway. She urged residents to be patient, as the government was working tirelessly to help.

The Prime Minister also instructed local Pheu Thai MPs to assess medical supply needs in the area to ensure that essential items are delivered to those in need. Additionally, she met with community leaders, including the Mu Pa Academy team, who proposed the establishment of a centre for youth mental health and education for flood-affected children. She promised that the government would consider this proposal as part of its broader recovery efforts.

Before leaving Ban Koh Sai, the Prime Minister offered words of encouragement to local residents, some of whom were visibly emotional. She assured them that the government, along with military support, would stay until the situation returned to normal.

This visit underscores the Thai government's commitment to addressing both the immediate and long-term needs of flood-stricken communities, with recovery efforts already underway across the province.

Picture courtesy of ThaiRath.

-- 2024-09-29