Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her cabinet waded through the flood-ravaged roads of Mae Sai district in Chiang Rai on Saturday. (Photo: Government House)
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra reassured the flood-stricken residents of Mae Sai district in Chiang Rai on Saturday, promising them that the North’s most affected area would see normalcy restored by November 1st. Wrapping up a two-day tour inspecting flood damage and recovery efforts, she also visited neighboring Chiang Mai province, where conditions showed signs of improvement.
On arriving in Mae Sai, Ms. Paetongtarn was briefed by Royal Thai Army Engineering Department officials before touring two villages, Ban Ko Sai and Ban Pha Chom, to monitor reconstruction progress. Riding through the area, she told reporters she expected 24 major roads and the Sailom Joy Market, an essential border market severely impacted by the floods, to be fully repaired within 45 days.
“This year’s seasonal floods destroyed 64 homes,” she said, “and we are fast-tracking the compensation for the affected families.”
During her visit, she met with flood victims whose homes were still swamped with mud. One elderly resident, Tan Hongkham, 80, burst into tears upon seeing the prime minister, expressing her disbelief at receiving such a high-profile visit under dire circumstances.
The premier reassured the elderly woman that many soldiers and volunteers were tirelessly working to return the area to its pre-flood condition. At Wat Phrom Wihan, a temple in Wiang Phang Kham of Mae Sai, the PM pledged preliminary financial aid to four families who had experienced significant losses.
Ms. Paetongtarn also appointed Deputy Interior Minister Theerarat Samrejvanich to lead a forward command focused on coordinating and accelerating recovery work, with a target completion time of 30 days. Before heading back to Bangkok, the prime minister handed out financial assistance and flood relief bags to numerous people at Wat Sat Luang in the Muang district of Chiang Mai.
Drying out continues
Officials reported substantial progress in Chiang Mai, where flood-impacted areas were divided into seven drainage zones, as explained by Atthawit Nakwatchara, director of the local Royal Irrigation Department office. Although the floodwaters had substantially receded in most of Chiang Mai’s downtown areas, low-lying regions, especially in the province’s southern part, still required water pumps for drainage.
In the Central Plains, things weren’t much better. The Chao Phraya Dam ramped up its water discharge rate to a whopping 1,899 cubic meters per second on Saturday, setting a record for this time of year. Consequently, three villages along the Phong Pheng Canal in Ang Thong’s Pa Mok district faced sudden inundation early Saturday morning. Water levels there ranged between 40 and 50 centimeters.
In Ayutthaya, as the Chao Phraya River neared the point of spilling over the flood wall at Wat Chaiwatthanaram, an iconic temple in Ayutthaya Historical Park, local authorities hurried to bolster the wall’s height. Residents of tambon Ban Kum in Bang Ban district woke up to find their communities submerged under a meter of water overnight.
Sukhothai also saw dire impacts, with at least three sections of the flood wall along the Yom River giving way, causing widespread damage to several communities and fruit plantations in the Sawankhalok district.
According to the most recent update from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, floods have affected 32,973 households in 18 provinces since August 16.
As if nature hadn’t dealt enough trouble, the Meteorological Department warned on Saturday of impending volatile weather conditions. Strong winds and heavy rains are forecasted to lash areas in the North, Central Plains, Bangkok, and surrounding provinces, continuing through Thursday.
It seems like Paetongtarn Shinawatra is really out there doing the work. It’s nice to see a politician actually getting their hands dirty.
I agree, but is it all just for show? Politicians always put on a good face for PR.
Even if it’s for show, the residents are getting the help they need, which is what matters.
True, Sandy. At the end of the day, if it gets results, maybe it’s worth it.
She can’t fix everything overnight. I just hope the promises are kept. Actions speak louder than words.
The government should have prepared better for this. Every year it’s the same story with the floods.
Exactly, Brian! Why do we always wait for the disaster before we do anything?
It’s a complex issue. Infrastructure improvements cost money and time, something not every government has the luxury of prioritizing.
Sam, it’s not about luxury, it’s about priorities. Clearly, they’re not prioritizing the right things.
Well, at least the PM is making an effort now. Better late than never.
I feel so sorry for the residents who have to go through this every year. They deserve more consistent support from the government.
It’s heartbreaking. Imagine losing your home every few years. The psychological toll must be immense.
It’s sad, but that’s just the reality of life in flood-prone areas. What can really be done?
Jonny, a lot can be done! Improved infrastructure, better warning systems, and more proactive support can make a huge difference.
I was in Mae Sai last month. The floods were devastating. Good to see quick action being taken now.
It’s great that financial aid is being distributed, but is it enough? Many will need long-term assistance to fully recover.
What about the farmers? Will they get any help for the lost crops? This could ruin livelihoods!
Good point, the impact on agriculture is massive. They definitely need targeted support.
Exactly, Debby. No crops mean no income, and that’s a huge problem for many families.
As a farmer, I can tell you, we don’t just need money, we need resources to rebuild our farms.
Will the government’s plan cover all the affected areas or just the highlighted ones?
Sara, I think they tend to focus on the most affected areas first, then move outwards.
I’m skeptical about these recovery promises. We’ve heard many before, but see little follow-through.
Unfortunately, Ben, I feel the same way. We need to hold them accountable.
Is anyone looking into the long-term climate change effects causing these frequent floods? This could be a much bigger issue.
I appreciate the quick promise of aid, but let’s not forget the human stories here. So many lives have been uprooted.
Why are we not hearing about international aid? Shouldn’t there be more global attention on these crises?
International aid usually comes but it’s often delayed and insufficient.
We shouldn’t always depend on international aid. It’s high time we have robust local measures in place.
What about the temples and historical sites? It’s not just homes but our cultural heritage being affected.
Good point, Mai. These sites are irreplaceable and need protection too.
We need a comprehensive strategy that includes the protection of cultural landmarks.
Volunteers are doing amazing work. Sometimes, it’s the community coming together that makes the biggest difference.
It’s about time we invest in better drainage systems. This could prevent so much devastation.
Yes, quality infrastructure is the key to long-term solutions.
I’ve traveled through Chiang Rai and Mae Sai. The natural beauty of these places should motivate more sustained efforts to protect them.
Are there any plans for housing reconstruction? Homelessness is a critical issue post-flood.