Bangkok: The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) attended a meeting of the Thai-Cambodian Border Situation Management Task Force. The Ministry of Interior announced that disaster relief zones have been declared in five provinces, 19 districts, 119 sub-districts, and 1,438 villages.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Phasakon Boonyalak, Director-General of the DDPM, emphasized the department’s support for operations concerning the Thai-Cambodian border situation. The DDPM’s efforts are integrated under the Ministry of Interior, focusing on coordination and cooperation to protect backwaters. Assistance is being provided to disaster victims based on the Ministry of Finance’s regulations on emergency relief funds for disaster victims established in 2019. The designated disaster relief zones include the provinces of Buriram, Sisaket, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, and Trat. This designation allows government agencies to assist disaster victims effectively and timely, following the criteria and procedures set by the Ministry of Finance. Additionally, the Comptroller General’s Department has approved an increase in emergency relief funds to 100 million baht per province, ensuring flexible and timely support for affected individuals.
Mr. Chairat Kaewphiangphen, Deputy Director-General of the DDPM, revealed that the department has planned measures to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property, following policies from the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Interior. These measures aim to assist those impacted by the Thai-Cambodian border situation. Recently, disaster relief machinery, including a 200 kVA generator and a 12,000-liter multi-purpose water truck, was dispatched to Sisaket Province. This deployment is part of a broader effort to provide timely and adequate disaster relief support, with machinery from other DDPM centers fully operational in accordance with provincial policies. The DDPM is also monitoring the situation closely to send prompt notifications of disasters via the Cell Broadcast system, urging the public to stay informed through official channels.
Mr. Chairat urged residents in border areas to keep their mobile phones on. In the event of potential danger, the DDPM will send warnings via cell broadcast to mobile phones in at-risk areas, ensuring rapid notification to protect lives and property.