Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered the Songkhla provincial governor, the Songkhla Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) and Hat Yai’s municipal administration to complete the cleanup of the mountain of garbage in the municipal area within two weeks, following the worst flooding in the district in recent history, so people can return to their homes as soon as possible.
The order was issued at a special meeting in Hat Yai yesterday of all agencies involved, both national and local, held to discuss post-flood rehabilitation for this commercially-important southern city.
The floodwater has receded from most of the district and the prime minister told the meeting that the top priorities are the restoration of public utilities and the disposal of garbage scattered throughout the municipal area.
He said that the officials concerned, such as the Songkhla governor, the Hat Yai mayor and the Songkhla PAO mayor, can hire private garbage collectors to help in the disposal effort.
Regarding the 9,000 baht initial financial support for each affected household, promised earlier by the government, the prime minister admitted that it is insufficient to cover the damage inflicted by the floods, adding that even 90,000 baht for each household would not suffice.
He explained that the government will have to follow the law pertaining to the amount of compensation payable in case of a public disaster. He indicated, however, that the Department of Public Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has a budget for repairs to houses damaged in a public disaster, amounting to a maximum of 49,000 baht per household.
He promised that the government will try to speed up the distribution of financial support to flood victims.
Economy ministers are scheduled to meet at Government House today, to discuss short- and mid-term financial support for households and businesses affected by the recent flooding.
