Thai Govt Apologises for Flood Relief Chaos, Extends Deadlines

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The Thai government has apologised following a major disruption in flood relief efforts after a crucial website crashed. This shutdown hindered registration for relief payments for flood victims in the South. The process has now been simplified to require only an ID card, bypassing the need for community consultations as per the latest cabinet resolution.

Government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat expressed regret over the registration issues, emphasising the urgency of getting financial help for those in need. The aim has been to act swiftly, but regulatory hurdles caused delays. In a move to expedite relief, ministers decided to exempt Songkhla from community consultations due to the severity of the flood crisis there.

Siripong clarified that flood victims will only need their ID card for registration, and the deadline for compensation applications has been pushed to 31 December. He also addressed the website crash, assuring that it had been resolved and normal service would resume shortly, reported the Bangkok Post.

Efforts to restore basic utilities are underway, with plans to restore electricity and water fully by Wednesday. Residents in Hat Yai, badly hit by the floods, will not be charged for water for three months, from November to January, while other areas will receive a two-month waiver. The government has allocated 530 million Thai baht to Songkhla for clean-up and rehabilitation.

Key Takeaways

• Registration for flood relief now only requires an ID card.
• The deadline for compensation has been extended to 31 December.
• Songkhla receives special exemptions due to severe flooding.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-12-04