Satun: The Prime Minister visited Satun Province, distributing relief bags and praising the people's resilience during the floods. He acknowledged the government's responsibility for the situation and sought forgiveness from the residents, emphasizing the need to move forward and address the issues to prevent future occurrences. He instructed the Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) president to hold a public hearing on the dismantling of the Khlong Mambang water gate.
According to Thai News Agency, the Prime Minister, accompanied by Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul and his entourage, arrived at Samantaratburin Camp via helicopter. They then traveled to the Satun Municipal Fresh Market and the Chanathip Community to meet with flood victims and distribute 200 relief bags. During his visit, the Prime Minister inspected the Satun Rice Shop, which had a damaged warehouse resulting in spoiled rice.
Concerns were raised by village heads, hotel owners, and residents about the Khlong Mambang water gate, which they claim causes flooding by blocking the waterway during heavy rains. The PAO president, along with the mayor, inspected the gate and agreed on the need for a public hearing to determine its usefulness. If deemed unnecessary, the gate could be removed to alleviate flooding issues.
Addressing the crowd, the Prime Minister apologized for the delay in his visit and shared his personal connection to the region, being from Hat Yai, Songkhla Province, which also experiences severe flooding. He emphasized the importance of improving flood management systems and eliminating the people's suffering as quickly as possible.
The Prime Minister assured the public that the government would soon implement a plan to prevent similar situations in the future. He acknowledged that the government has been investing in flood prevention projects, such as floodgates and monkey cheeks, but the compensation payouts have often exceeded these investments. He urged residents affected by the flooding to register for the initial 9,000 baht compensation and assured them of further assistance.
He also inquired about the registration for the Half-Half Plus project and announced the upcoming launch of its second phase. The Prime Minister expressed his understanding of the people's hardships and promised to expedite the process.
In his concluding remarks, the Prime Minister admitted the government's fault in the situation and asked for the people's forgiveness. He reassured them of the government's commitment to diligently implementing projects to prevent future suffering. He expressed gratitude for their cooperation and distributed relief bags to the citizens, offering encouragement and support during his visit. Additionally, the Prime Minister purchased Tubtab snacks, which he shared with the media and press.