Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has committed to fast-tracking compensation payouts to flood victims and launching a revolutionary new emergency alert system. In her inaugural address at Monday’s flood, storm, and mudslide administration and management committee meeting at Government House, she outlined measures to tackle the flooding crisis and expedite post-inundation recovery efforts.
The government is also inaugurating a flood victims assistance operations center, spearheaded by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Ms. Paetongtarn emphasized that the current compensation framework is insufficient given the extensive damage inflicted by recent floods across various provinces.
“Compensation should be swift and sensible,” Ms. Paetongtarn asserted, acknowledging that existing criteria restrict payout amounts despite significant damage. “Take, for instance, the flooding in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district that persisted for three days—yet the damage was considerable.”
She also unveiled plans to allocate budget funds for a new emergency alert system called the “cell broadcast service.” Former government spokesman Chai Wacharonke had earlier revealed that this alert system would be introduced by mid-2025, sending text alerts to all mobile phone users across Thailand in emergencies.
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) approved the project, following successful tests by True Corp in July and AIS in March. Once activated, the system will alert all mobile phone users in Thailand, including foreign tourists, in five languages: Thai, English, Chinese, Japanese, and Russian. The alerts will also include images and audio messages.
This initiative represents a collaboration between the NBTC, mobile phone operators, and the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. Cell broadcast technology can send emergency warnings to all devices connected to mobile networks within a specified area or nationwide, based on the severity of the emergency.
Addressing the situation in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district, a senior provincial official reported on Monday that repair costs for flood-damaged houses are estimated at 500 million baht. The crisis is far from over, with many areas still submerged.
Kanchit Chumpoodaeng, director of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation office in Chiang Rai, stated that the damage estimate is derived from the number of houses and shops devastated by the flood and an official repair rate of 49,500 baht per house. He confirmed that at least 10,000 houses and shops in Mae Sai were flood-damaged, with numbers likely to rise as water recedes and a thorough survey ensues.
“These figures only account for housing repairs. Other associated costs are not included,” Mr. Kanchit clarified. Mae Sai district, particularly the municipality, suffered the most severe flooding in Chiang Rai province after the Sai River broke its banks last Tuesday. Residents described it as the worst flooding episode in four decades.
He also mentioned that some parts of the district town remain underwater, accessible only by Navy SEALs. Helicopters have been airdropping essential supplies to those stranded by the floodwaters and those unwilling to evacuate.
To accommodate the victims, Mae Sai district has established 17 temporary shelters, while Chiang Rai municipality has opened two. Meanwhile, the situation in other flooded districts is gradually normalizing, including in Muang district.
The flooding in Chiang Rai has, so far, claimed 12 lives, with three people recovering from injuries. The government continues to monitor and respond to the ongoing crisis, ensuring that all affected individuals receive the necessary aid and support.
While it’s good to see flood victims getting attention, I doubt this fast-tracking will actually be ‘fast’ at all. Bureaucracy, anyone?
Sadly, you might be right. Governments always make big promises, but the follow-through is often lacking.
I’m cautiously optimistic. This administration has an opportunity to prove they can act swiftly. Let’s give them a chance.
Fair point, Annie. But history isn’t on their side in terms of delivering quickly.
I’m excited about the new emergency alert system! It’s about time we had a reliable way to get warnings.
Absolutely! Those few minutes of warning can be the difference between life and death.
Does anyone know if it will be able to handle different languages effectively? We have so many tourists here.
Yes, it’s supposed to be in five languages! Thai, English, Chinese, Japanese, and Russian.
The compensation framework being ‘insufficient’ is an understatement. People’s livelihoods are destroyed and they get peanuts.
Totally agree, Susan. How can they think 49,500 baht is enough when people have lost everything?
But at least they’re acknowledging the issues now. That’s a step in the right direction.
Acknowledge the issues, yes. But actual compensation and real help is what’s needed.
Putting deputy PM in charge sounds like they’re serious about coordination, let’s hope it manifests in real action.
Holding onto hope until I see the results. It’s one thing to talk about it, another to actually implement it.
My heart goes out to the flood victims. I can’t even imagine losing everything.
It’s shocking it took this long to get a proper alert system in place. Shame on previous governments!
It’s true. Previous governments have always been slow in emergency responses.
Just hope this current government can set an example. Future leaders need to prioritize people’s safety.
Sometimes it takes a severe crisis for changes to happen. Better late than never?
Flooding is only going to get worse with climate change. Long-term solutions are urgently needed.
Completely agree, Josh. This is just the start if we don’t take real environmental action.
It’s great that they’re using cell broadcast tech. But will people actually heed the warnings if they come?
Helicopters have been airdropping supplies? Incredible resilience shown by the disaster response team in Mae Sai.
Five languages for the alert system? That’s impressively inclusive.
Definitely! Having multiple languages covered is essential for effective communication.
It should set a standard globally. Disasters don’t respect language barriers.
I’m skeptical if all mobile operators can handle the alert traffic without service disruptions.
Those estimates for repair costs in Mae Sai are just heartbreaking. People are in for a long road to recovery.
Why isn’t there a stronger international effort to help flood victims in places like Mae Sai? This seems too local a problem for such a vast issue.
Good point, Gigi. Natural disasters require cross-border cooperation. Where is the global community?
True, Hans. More international aid and expertise could significantly improve the response.
Exactly, Adelaide. Thailand shouldn’t have to bear this burden alone.