DEPUTY Prime Minister/Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai angrily denied that the government took better care of floods in the North that the current one raging in the far South with relief supplies not delayed as alleged by some netizens online, Naewna newspaper said this afternoon (Nov. 30).
Phumtham said he had sent Deputy Defence Minister Gen. Natthaphon Nakpanich to inspect the flooding in the South with other ministers too having gone there including Deputy Prime Minister/Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Justice Minister Thawee Sodsong.
The flooding is worse in Yala province with floodwater flowing down from Pattani while Songkhla and Pattani will likely be hit by more torrential rain over the next two to three days, he said, adding these four provinces have to be monitored.
It is expected that the flooding will ease over the next one to two days but currently in red-flag zones the floodwater is still high with only large vehicles able to enter some of these areas.
There is a problem about delivering key supplies such as food, water and cooking gas with all units ordered to help out.
Southern flooding differs from what previously occurred in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai because the floodwater flows away, he mentioned.
The government has prepared compensation for flood victims with financial help being the same as other flood-hit provinces. However initially the Deputy Defence Minister is looking at sending forces to take care of them with the Southern Border Administration Centre responsible for coordination.
Phumtham confirmed that the flooded southern provinces will be taken care of appropriately with this assistance continuing after the flooding recedes.
He denied online allegations of delay in visiting the inundated provinces in the South pointing out that ministers went there immediately with Natthaphon being there from the first day.
He reassured that the government is taking care of people across the country equally as is their duty and urged the public to not listen to social media hearsay.
CAPTIONS:
Top: Pattani city flooded. Photo: Naewna
Insert; Deputy Prime Minister/Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Photo Thai Rath
First below and Front Page: Yala heavily inundated. Photos: Naewna
Second below: Floodwater flowing through Songkhla. Photos: Naewna
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