Bangkok: The Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) has dispatched a substantial caravan to the southern region to provide necessary assistance to over 800 educational institutions severely impacted by recent flooding. The OBEC emphasized its ongoing commitment to supporting both teachers and students until conditions improve.
According to Thai News Agency, the initiative, led by Professor Narumon Pinyosinwat, the Minister of Education, was inaugurated at the "2025 Southern Flood Relief Caravan" ceremony. The event aimed to extend urgent aid to students, teachers, and educational personnel affected by the flooding in several southern provinces. The gathering witnessed the presence of Mr. Pichet Phophakdi, Secretary-General of OBEC, alongside other OBEC executives, educational service area directors, and agency representatives.
Dr. Saksin Rojsaranrom, Chairman of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), played a crucial role by facilitating the provision of trucks for the caravan. These trucks are tasked with transporting consumer goods, relief kits, school rehabilitation materials, and other essentials to the disaster-stricken areas across 10 provinces. A report, dated December 2, 2015, revealed that 813 out of 7,012 schools in the southern region were affected, impacting approximately 90,453 students and resulting in two fatalities. Additionally, 8,206 teachers and educational staff were affected, with 142 school shelters having been established across five provinces, namely Pattani, Satun, Songkhla, Phatthalung, and Narathiwat, accommodating 12,433 relief workers.
OBEC Secretary-General announced that disaster relief coordination centers have been set up at both central and regional levels, with over 3.15 million baht allocated for short-term relief to aid students and teachers. The OBEC is also preparing to distribute essential items as part of the initial phase of school rehabilitation.
Professor Narumon Pinyosinwat stated that the caravan signifies the Ministry of Education and OBEC's dedication to supporting educational institutions in the South. She highlighted that assistance will continue in multiple facets, including welfare, safety, and mental health support for students and teachers, to ensure the swift reopening of schools.
The OBEC caravan, bolstered by trucks supported by Dr. Saksin Rojsaranrom of the Academic Quality Development Institute (AQDI), has already set off to deliver immediate aid to the provinces of Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat. This effort illustrates a coordinated proactive response by OBEC and its partners, committed to standing with southern educational institutions until the flood crisis is resolved.