Bangkok: The Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army has taken decisive action to bolster disaster response efforts by establishing the 'Forward Thai Army Disaster Relief Center' following the lifting of the state of emergency in Songkhla Province. This initiative comes as a strategic move to enhance the efficiency and coordination of flood relief operations, dividing the responsibilities of the Royal Thai Army headquarters.
According to Thai News Agency, the establishment of the Forward Thai Army Disaster Relief Center was formalized by General Ukrit Boontanon, the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Armed Forces. This development is in response to the revocation of the state of emergency in Songkhla Province by the Prime Minister, effective from December 5, 2015. The center is designed to manage and coordinate disaster relief efforts, ensuring a timely and effective response to flood-related challenges in the area.
The center will be under the command of the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, with the First Deputy Commander-in-Chief and the First Deputy Chief of Staff playing crucial roles in overseeing the operations. The Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Army and the National Security Council of Thailand are providing necessary budgetary support for the center.
To facilitate operations, units under the Royal Thai Army Headquarters, along with other armed forces, have been tasked with arranging personnel and equipment as per the structure of the Royal Thai Army Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Center (RTADC). The Royal Thai Survey Department is also contributing by providing aircraft support when needed.
Additionally, the Department of Military Logistics and the Department of Military Operations are assisting in the movement of personnel and equipment. Various government agencies within the Royal Thai Army have been directed to support the operations of the RTADC, ensuring a well-coordinated disaster management strategy.