Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior Directs Recovery Efforts in Songkhla Post-Emergency Decree

Songkhla: The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior led a critical meeting at the Songkhla Command Center, emphasizing recovery efforts following the lifting of the Emergency Decree by the Prime Minister. The central focus of the meeting was the Prime Minister's initiative of "14 days of cleanliness," while also preparing for a potential new round of rain forecasted for December 13. According to Thai News Agency, the meeting, held at 3:00 PM in Meeting Room 1, 5th Floor, Songkhla Provincial Hall, was chaired by Mr. Arsit Sampantharat, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior. It aimed to address the ongoing challenges in Songkhla Province, where the recent revocation of the state of emergency, effective December 5, 2025, necessitated a shift in disaster management approaches. Present at the meeting were high-ranking officials, including Mr. Phasakon Boonyalak, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior; Mr. Thiraphat Kachmat, Director-General of the Department of Disaster Pr evention and Mitigation; Mr. Ratthasat Chitchu, Governor of Songkhla Province; Major General Korakot Phuchote, Deputy Commander of the Fourth Army Area; and Mr. Wittaya Chansena, Deputy Governor of Songkhla Province. They were joined by representatives from relevant agencies, security officials, and local administrative organizations. The Permanent Secretary highlighted that post-emergency, disaster management authority has transitioned to the normal mechanism under the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act. The disaster level will be gradually reduced from extremely severe (Level 4) to major (Level 3), eventually moving to Level 2, with the provincial governor assuming the role of incident commander. Despite the transition, the operations of all agencies remain consistent, ensuring that military units deployed during the emergency continue their missions until recovery is complete. The Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation elaborated on the adjustment in management level s, moving oversight from the Prime Minister to his department, ensuring seamless and continuous disaster management. The Songkhla Governor provided a report on the disaster's impact from November 20 to December 4, 2025, detailing that the disaster affected all 16 districts, over 591,845 households, and more than 1,422,000 people, resulting in 145 fatalities. While basic utilities like electricity and water supply have largely been restored, relief package distribution remains a priority. Concerning the 9,000 baht relief package approved by the Cabinet, 658,105 households have applied, with funds already transferred to 225,912 households. The Permanent Secretary urged provincial administrative organizations to resolve issues with PromptPay or expired accounts to expedite relief fund distribution. The Deputy Permanent Secretary stressed the importance of managing waste and directed the Department of Health and Pollution Control Department to address waste disposal and environmental concerns. A permit for TPI was expedited to transfer waste to an incinerator on Koh Tao, capable of processing up to 700 tons of waste daily. Reaffirming the Prime Minister's "14 Days of Cleanliness" goal, the Permanent Secretary called for all agencies to deploy resources for thorough city cleaning, particularly in military-assigned zones, anticipating multiple garbage collection rounds. The Eastern Southern Region Meteorological Center has forecasted another potential heavy rainfall between December 13-17, 2025, due to a monsoon trough and cold air masses. The public is advised to stay informed through government channels, with warnings expected 48 hours in advance. Lastly, the Permanent Secretary announced the Prime Minister's planned visit to Songkhla Province on December 6, 2025, to assess ongoing operations and engage with affected communities, aiming to boost local morale.