The Prime Minister visited the shelter, the villagers hugged and cried, there was nothing left. The Prime Minister comforted them, there was still life and encouragement, said anyone who wanted to hug, take a picture, or hold hands was welcome, confirmed that the government would give full assistance to help them return home as soon as possible.
Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister, and her entourage traveled to Wat Phrommawihan in Mae Sai District, which is a shelter for disaster victims, to visit and encourage them. Upon arrival, the Prime Minister sat down to talk and hug the villagers, causing them to hug and cry with joy that the Prime Minister did not abandon them. The villagers stated that it was very difficult, but some people, especially the elderly, refused to leave their homes. Therefore, they wanted the government to reiterate that if a storm were to occur, they should leave the area to save their lives. However, the reason why people refused to leave their homes was because when the wate
r receded, there were thefts. When news like this came out, the villagers did not want to leave their homes.
The Prime Minister turned to Ms. Thirat Samretwanich, Deputy Minister of Interior, to instruct officials to take care of the situation. He then turned to tell the villagers that from now on the government will speed up to take care of the compensation as best as possible and is well aware of the urgency of the people to come and help. This time, he would like to thank the military officers and agencies that came to help quickly.
The Prime Minister also talked to a group of elderly people who were all crying and said that they had nothing left, that they were broke, and that they had cried until they didn’t know what else to cry about, and that they had no more tears left. The Prime Minister then said that this was already good enough, that they still had life left and the encouragement that they had given each other.
Then the villagers said that there were still elderly people trapped in the area wh
o could not get out. The Prime Minister therefore asked military officers to request details to help bring the villagers out of the area.
The Prime Minister also went to talk and give encouragement to the pregnant woman, who was a Shan woman. The Prime Minister went to touch her stomach and asked when she would give birth, and wished for the health of both the mother and the baby.
The Prime Minister then inspected the Royal Kitchen and the Chiang Rai Provincial Police Volunteer Kitchen to help flood victims. The Prime Minister looked at the gas stove and joked, ‘Let me check if there’s electricity.’ Meanwhile, the cook was making stir-fried cabbage and eggs. The Prime Minister said that it was his favorite dish and that children could eat it. The cook asked the Prime Minister to make an omelet, but the Prime Minister refused, saying, ‘I just came to see.’ However, at the Royal Kitchen, the Prime Minister tried stir-frying garlic chicken, saying that this spatula is very heavy.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister
handed out relief bags from the Prime Minister’s Office and medicine from the Ministry of Public Health. He told the people that he visited the shelter today and met many people. He also went to see the place and learned that everyone is really struggling. This time, it’s really tough. Today, I came to encourage everyone and emphasize the events that will happen next because today, we have food, security units, and volunteers who are helping us, our brothers and sisters who are still trapped, sending food and receiving information from them. Today, the water current has started to subside and it will subside again tomorrow. Therefore, there is a greater chance that those who are trapped will be rescued. He emphasized that if we can’t help them, at least send food and drinks so that they will have the strength to wait for the water current to subside. Otherwise, if we wait for a long time, we will be very hungry. Therefore, he wanted to send food and those who came, he wanted to speak from his heart. Everyone
is great for still smiling today. He knows that this situation is tough. Some people have said and said that there is nothing left, everything has been damaged. The Prime Minister wants to say that there are still lives, encouragement, and hope. What is left today, be proud of yourself that you are great for going through something like this and still being here. We can smile and accept each other. You are very good. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet will try to help in the future with compensation and various shelters that are covered in mud. Everyone will try to take care of this as soon as possible so that everyone can return to their original place as soon as possible. And I want the relief to reach everyone as quickly as possible. I really want it to be fast because everyone has been waiting for a long time. But the water situation should gradually improve. I came today to give my sincere encouragement to everyone.
‘If anyone wants to take a photo, you can. You can shake hands. You can hug me. Whicheve
r way is best, I would like to thank all the ministers. Today, Bangkok is holding a parliamentary meeting. Everyone is sending their support, no matter which side, the government or the opposition, everyone is sending their support. I wish everyone strength and encouragement,’ the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister then handed out relief bags. While handing out the relief bags, the Prime Minister talked to an 84-year-old grandfather, who wished the Prime Minister good health and a long-term Prime Minister.
Source: Thai News Agency