Teng Natthaphong’ suggests 3 measures to restore after the flood recedes, preventing ‘economic accidents’ from worsening for the victims, emphasizing that emergency aid must be provided immediately, a plan must be set for repairing houses and buildings, and money must be injected into local administrative organizations to restore public utilities.
On September 15, 2024, Mr. Nattapong Ruangpanyawut, leader of the Prachachon Party, along with party MPs led by Mr. Karoonpol Thiansuwan, MP for the party list, and Mr. Chitwan Chin-Anuwat, MP for Chiang Rai District 1, visited Mueang District and Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai Province to monitor and observe the flooding for the second consecutive day. Mr. Nattapong commented that after the water level began to recede, the important thing that the government must focus on from now on is urgent recovery measures after the flood. In addition to the need for heavy equipment and cleaning equipment, which have increased in price several times, the villagers are in high
demand at the moment. From talking to the people in detail to collect information in Mae Sai District, it was found that many businesses, buildings, shops, restaurants, hotels and accommodations have been affected by the flood.
Some are directly affected, that is, their tools for making a living or buildings were damaged by the flood, causing businesses and shops to be unable to resume operations at this time, and it will probably take a while before they can resume normal operations. Another group, although not affected by the flood, is indirectly affected by the cut off of water and electricity, or transportation that is cut off or inconvenient, making it impossible to conduct business as usual, such as accommodations, restaurants, laundry shops, and other businesses. Overall economic activities in the area have come to a halt, and many people have no income.
‘Many people told me that ‘there’s nothing left’, but expenses have increased because of repair and cleaning costs, plus debt and interest continue
to accrue from ‘natural disasters’ that have resulted in ‘financial accidents’. What measures will the government and related agencies have to help support our fellow citizens? This is a question that we, as politicians, must be able to answer,’ said Mr. Nattapong.
Mr. Nattapong continued that he had discussed with Mr. Decha Rat Sukkamnerd, Director of the Think Forward Center, Prachachon Party, who is currently monitoring the Mekong River situation in Nong Khai Province. Therefore, he would like to ask the government to urgently think of and issue measures to help the people urgently and tangibly in 3 issues.
One, immediate emergency assistance for affected households to help with the costs of re-entering and resuming business in severely damaged areas before providing assistance for the second phase of repairs.
2. Accelerate the survey and assessment of damage and quickly determine a plan to repair houses and buildings, providing assistance based on actual damage within 1-2 weeks to restore living condit
ions as quickly as possible. In addition, the central government agencies must not set regulations and conditions that are inconsistent with the actual work conditions or impose excessive burdens on the people.
3. Assistance funds for local administrative organizations affected by floods to be used for (a) repairing damaged roads and public utilities at actual costs, (b) supporting the repair of houses and various appliances for citizens, and (c) revitalizing the local economy after the flood has receded, such as reducing utility bills, improving public areas such as markets, or supporting tourism activities after the flood has receded.
In addition, the government should coordinate with financial institutions to provide additional assistance to entrepreneurs in business recovery, such as debt repayment suspension during the recovery period after the flood recedes and interest-free loans for business repairs and improvements.
In the long term, Mr. Nattapong believes that the government should consider estab
lishing a ‘disaster fund’ to increase channels for operational units to access the budget quickly and provide timely assistance, from prevention, response to incidents, and relief. The fund’s criteria and conditions will be set to allow for rapid budget disbursement and auditability, without burdening or creating concerns for agencies that must prevent or respond to incidents in the area.
‘When our brothers and sisters face a natural disaster once, they may experience an economic accident. It takes years to recover. It is a sad thing for all of us. Therefore, as politicians, especially the government that can manage resources, we must help each other think and help solve problems for our brothers and sisters quickly, sufficiently, and sustainably,’ Mr. Nattapong concluded.
Source: Thai News Agency