Efforts to restore normal conditions underway, aiming for completion by November 1
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra visited the Mae Sai district in Chiang Rai on Saturday, assuring residents affected by recent flooding that normalcy would be restored in the hardest-hit areas by November 1.
During her two-day inspection of flood damage and recovery initiatives, the Prime Minister also addressed the improving conditions in the neighboring Chiang Mai province.
Upon her arrival in Mae Sai, Ms. Paetongtarn received updates from officials of the Royal Thai Army Engineering Department and toured the villages of Ban Ko Sai and Ban Pha Chom to assess the progress of reconstruction efforts.
She expressed confidence that 24 major roads and the severely impacted Sailom Joy Market would be fully repaired within approximately 45 days.
This year’s seasonal floods have destroyed 64 houses, and the Prime Minister confirmed that the government is expediting financial compensation for affected homeowners.
During her visit, she personally met flood victims, including an emotional encounter with 80-year-old Tan Hongkham, who expressed her gratitude for the Prime Minister’s presence and support.
At Wat Phrom Wihan temple in Mae Sai, the Prime Minister announced preliminary financial assistance for victims, including families who experienced significant losses.
Ms. Paetongtarn appointed Deputy Interior Minister Theerarat Samrejvanich to lead the effort to coordinate and expedite ongoing recovery operations, which are expected to conclude in 30 days.
Before returning to Bangkok, the Prime Minister distributed financial aid and flood relief supplies to residents at Wat Sat Luang in the Muang district of Chiang Mai.
Efforts to Drain Water Continue
Officials have organized flood-affected areas in Chiang Mai into seven drainage zones, as reported by the director of the local Royal Irrigation Department office.
While floodwaters have significantly receded in most of Chiang Mai’s city center, additional water pumping is still necessary in certain low-lying areas, especially in the southern part of the province.
In the Central Plains, the Chao Phraya Dam increased its water discharge rate to a record 1,899 cubic meters per second on Saturday, leading to sudden flooding in three villages along the Phong Pheng Canal in Ang Thong province.
Water levels in these areas reached between 40 and 50 centimeters.
In Ayutthaya, as the Chao Phraya River approached the flood wall at the historic Wat Chaiwatthanaram temple, local authorities took swift action to raise the wall’s height further.
Many residents in tambon Ban Kum of Bang Ban district reported their communities submerged under nearly a meter of water overnight.
In Sukhothai, breaches along the flood wall of the Yom River have damaged several communities and fruit plantations in the Sawankhalok district.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has reported that 32,973 households across 18 provinces have been affected by floods since August 16.
In a concerning weather forecast, the Meteorological Department warned of severe weather, including strong winds and heavy rainfall in the North, Central Plains, Bangkok, and surrounding provinces through Thursday.
