Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced that she will conduct an urgent visit to the flood-ravaged Chiang Rai province on September 13, 2024 in order to expedite relief efforts for the impacted residents.
Paetongtarn, the Prime Minister, stated that she had directed the ministries of defence, interior, and agriculture to prioritise the evacuation of individuals and their creatures, ensuring that they have access to adequate food and water.
The health ministry is responsible for the rapid relocation of vulnerable groups and the provision of medical supplies, with a particular emphasis on foot infection.
The Premier emphasised that the government has allocated emergency funds to assist those affected by the floods and urged all relevant agencies to work assiduously to save lives and property.
Additionally, she advocated for an evaluation of the early warning system, observing that certain residents had been hesitant to evacuate due to concerns regarding their property, despite the system’s functionality.
The Premier has directed the ministries of interior and defence to evaluate the early warning system and guarantee that it effectively communicates hazards to the public.
She also directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and the Ministry of the Interior to enhance the drainage systems and fortify the flood prevention infrastructure.
The northern province of Chiang Rai is currently experiencing severe flooding, and military and rescue teams are working tirelessly to evacuate residents who are stranded in their homes.
SEALs from the Thai Navy have been conducting 24-hour missions to locate and rescue individuals who are unable to escape their residences due to the swift-moving currents.
SEALs conducted a late-night operation to rescue an elderly individual, a woman, and a three-month-old infant who had been stranded without sustenance for several hours as a result of a flash flood. In order to locate the stranded residents, the rescue squad was required to wade through muddy waters for a distance of approximately 2-3 kilometres.
In the interim, the Royal Thai Police’s Special Operations Unit 49, which is situated in northern Thailand, has been contributing to rescue operations by enduring both heavy rainfall and inundation.
Additionally, the Ruamkatanyu Foundation has deployed teams to Chiang Rai to assist the police with evacuations and provide food and provisions to the affected residents.
The Por Tek Tung Foundation has dispatched rescue teams to Chiang Rai, which are equipped with mobile kitchens, canoes, and high-lift vehicles, in order to expedite the rescue and evacuation efforts.
In the interim, Chiang Rai Airport is currently experiencing severe inundation, prompting officials to advise travellers against visiting the airport. Passengers who are currently stranded are being evacuated by airlines.
Completely submerged is the southern portion of the airport, which includes staff accommodation. It is also becoming increasingly hazardous for passengers to travel through the airport due to the fact that water is infiltrating the eastern and western sides.
The majority of flights have been cancelled. The primary objective of the airlines that are presently operating in Chiang Rai is to transport passengers who are stranded back to Bangkok.
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Flight Suspended at Chiang Rai International Airport Due to Flooding
Flight Suspended at Chiang Rai International Airport Due to Flooding
Geoff Thomas is an award winning journalist known for his sharp insights and no-nonsense reporting style. Over the years he has worked for Reuters and the Canadian Press covering everything from political scandals to human interest stories. He brings a clear and direct approach to his work.
