The Prime Minister revealed that the Cabinet approved the central budget for flood relief of 3,045 million baht, stressing the reduction of paperwork and the expedition of assistance to the people as quickly as possible. He indicated that tomorrow there will be a clear payment of compensation after the first meeting of the National Reform Council (NRC) and that there is a plan to discuss with the Mekong River Basin countries to find a joint solution for water drainage.
Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister, announced the results of the Cabinet meeting that the Cabinet meeting approved the criteria proposed by the Ministry of Interior for the payment of flood relief funds during the rainy season of 2024 and requested approval of the central budget for the emergency and urgent reserve funds for 2024 in the amount of 3,045 million baht, requesting that the Ministry of Interior expedite the steps and verification processes to be appropriate for the situation and reduce the steps of the documents that must
be submitted in order to provide assistance to the people quickly.
Ready to order all government agencies to consider additional relief measures for people affected by the floods, in addition to the normal measures that are already in place. If there is any matter that needs to be presented to the Cabinet, it should be expedited to help and provide relief to the people as quickly as possible.
As for the time frame for when compensation can be paid at the earliest, the Prime Minister said that yesterday (September 16), the government established the Operations Center for Flood, Storm and Landslide Relief, or the CPRC, which will have a meeting tomorrow (September 18, 2024). It is expected that there will be a report from Mr. Phumtham Vejjayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, in his capacity as the CPRC chairman.
When asked about the discussion with neighboring countries that are the source of the water to discuss measures for water drainage together, the Prime Minister said that the Minist
ry of Foreign Affairs is going to talk with countries in the Mekong River Basin, such as Myanmar, to find a joint solution. Which must be discussed seriously because it is a problem that Thailand has been facing for a long time and there is already a plan in mind that wants to do this seriously because it has been a problem for the people for a long time. And water management is a big plan because water comes from many directions. Thailand is also the chair of the Mekong River Basin. I think the timeline can start talking immediately.
Source: Thai News Agency