Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered provinces nationwide to strengthen their flood preparations ahead of an expected increase in rainfall from October 4–5, while stepping up assistance for communities already inundated.
Anutin, who also serves as interior minister, issued the instructions on October 1 following a meeting of the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. Officials reviewed ongoing flooding and efforts to support affected residents.
For provinces still battling floods, the immediate priority is to assess their capacity to handle additional water and introduce measures to limit further damage. Areas along the Chao Phraya, Tha Chin and Mae Klong rivers were told to maintain the highest level of readiness.
Provincial authorities must prepare inventories of available personnel, pumps, boats, rescue vehicles, lorries and machinery to support rapid deployment across provincial boundaries.
Officials must identify where assistance is needed and which provinces can supply resources, ensuring equipment and teams reach affected areas without delay.
Anutin also called for regular public warnings, giving residents enough time to move possessions to higher ground, relocate vehicles and leave areas at risk. Authorities were instructed to prevent people from becoming stranded as water levels rise.
To keep public information consistent, local agencies must follow a “one area, one set of information” approach. Updates on water levels and discharge rates must draw on shared data to reduce conflicting reports and confusion.
Relief operations should prioritise communities isolated by floodwater, with boats, high-clearance vehicles and military vehicles used to reach residents. Agencies were also directed to establish a delivery system for food, drinking water, medicines and other essential supplies.
Deputy provincial governors, provincial chief administrative officers and district chiefs must remain in their areas to supervise operations and coordinate urgent assistance.
Provincial governors and the Bangkok governor were instructed to ensure residents’ basic needs are met, with continued support for evacuees until conditions improve.
In areas where water is retreating, authorities must speed up pumping and prepare teams and machinery for recovery work. Cleaning roads, homes and other affected locations will be a priority to help residents resume their daily lives as quickly as possible.
