Hat yai: Public Health Minister Phatthana Promphat addressed the ongoing uncertainty regarding the death toll from the devastating floods in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province. He confirmed that the latest official figure stands at 60, but acknowledged there are still uncounted cases. Authorities are urging relatives to contact Prince of Songkla University Hospital to report the location of victims, with forensic experts being mobilized to verify their identities.
According to Thai News Agency, Minister Phatthana has requested that the central government report the most recent death toll, including only those whose bodies have been brought to Songklanagarind Hospital. He noted that there are still fatalities unaccounted for, as their bodies have not yet been transported to the hospital. The official death toll reported by the Ministry of Public Health, located at Songklanagarind Hospital, will be used for official updates. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, along with other agencies, is working to compile comprehensive reports and will notify the public of any changes.
The process of identifying deceased persons involves rescue volunteers marking bodies with a symbol to verify identities. Minister Phatthana emphasized the importance of reporting deceased individuals to a single location to prevent confusion and double-counting. Families are encouraged to contact Songklanagarind Hospital with detailed descriptions of the deceased to facilitate accurate counting.
Efforts to manage the situation include the deployment of forensic scientists. Minister Phatthana has expedited the mobilization of medical and forensic teams nationwide, with approximately 20 forensic doctors and 39 staff members already deployed. Additional teams are being dispatched to organize and direct the setup of eight field hospitals. The deployment includes the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health and the Director-General of several departments, who are working to provide care at evacuation centers and field hospitals.
In response to the crisis, the Department of Health Service Support is coordinating with village health volunteers to establish kitchens at field hospitals, ensuring medical personnel have access to necessary resources. Minister Phatthana also cautioned the public to verify information through official Ministry of Public Health channels to avoid misinformation.
In response to reports of 104 confirmed deaths by police, Minister Phatthana indicated uncertainty about the figure, suggesting it may represent police data. He reiterated that Songklanagarind Hospital has recorded approximately 60 cases. The Ministry of Public Health, following orders from the Prime Minister, has set up six to eight containers to store bodies, with additional capacity available.