Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has apologised for the government’s failure to protect flood-hit communities, vowing improvements as he prepares to return to the devastated Hat Yai district in Songkhla for urgent assessments on Sunday.
Mr. Anutin, who also serves as interior minister, will be joined by a high-level delegation including Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, and Treasury Department director-general Akkarut Sonthayanon.
Office of Insurance Commission secretary-general Chuchatr Pramoolpol and Thai Bankers’ Association president Payong Srivanich will also join the premier.
He said the delegation will conduct on-site inspections to formulate a comprehensive support package, including soft loans and financial assistance for affected residents.
Direct observation of the situation, he noted, is essential to understand the full impact and expedite the government’s response.
At Government House, Mr. Anutin also convened a meeting with Mr. Ekniti, Prime Minister’s Office Minister Paradorn Prissanananthakul and commerce permanent secretary Vuttikrai Leewiraphan to finalise immediate support measures.
The prime minister has ordered the Interior Ministry to fast-track the compilation of beneficiary lists for the approved 9,000-baht household relief payment, which is expected to reach families next week.
Responding to reports that aid may reach 30,000 baht per household, Mr. Anutin clarified that assistance will come from multiple sources.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation will provide 9,000 baht per household immediately, while additional funding may be offered for home repairs of up to 45,000 baht, depending on actual damage.
He also announced interest-free recovery loans of up to 100,000 baht per person for six months, along with separate loans of up to 100,000 baht per household for property repairs, with a repayment term of one year.
Mr. Anutin said that during his recent field visit he apologised personally to residents for the government’s inability to shield them from the disaster.
Addressing the root causes of Hat Yai’s severe flooding, he pointed to the “basin” geography of Songkhla, particularly Hat Yai district, which requires changes to road engineering to improve drainage.
He also stressed the need for stronger evacuation alerts and clearer early-warning systems.
