Bangkok: The Royal Gazette has published an order from the Prime Minister to establish the Flood Emergency Operations Center (FOCOC) to manage the flood emergency situation in Songkhla. This move comes following the declaration of a state of emergency in Songkhla Province on November 25, 2025, as part of efforts to ensure an effective resolution of the crisis.
According to Thai News Agency, the Prime Ministerial Order No. 12/2025 outlines the creation of a specialized agency under the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations B.E. 2548 (2005). The establishment of FOCOC is designed to bring together multiple components, including high-ranking officials and military commanders, to oversee the flood management efforts.
The FOCOC's duties and powers include monitoring and analyzing the flood situation, coordinating with local agencies, processing information to assist disaster victims, and disseminating accurate information to the public. The center will also facilitate the deployment of military personnel, police officers, and civil servants to effectively manage the situation in Songkhla Province.
Additionally, the Prime Minister's order mandates government agencies to support FOCOC's operations with necessary resources, including personnel, budgets, and equipment. The order also emphasizes the importance of collaboration between government and private sectors to address the crisis efficiently.
The Office of the Prime Minister is tasked with handling the administrative and budgetary aspects of the FOCOC's operations. The newly established Center for Emergency Response to Flood Situations, led by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, will further support these efforts, ensuring robust communication, reporting, and evaluation mechanisms.
Government agencies and local organizations are instructed to cooperate with FOCOC as needed, while financial disbursements for the center's operations will adhere to government regulations, drawing from the Office of the Prime Minister's budget starting from November 25, 2025.