In response to Interior Minister General Anupong’s instruction that the BMA prepare to handle upcoming wet weather, BMA Governor Pol General Aswin Kwanmuang said he had instructed the Department of Drainage and Sewerage and 50 district offices to implement the action plan.

This includes rainfall updates, the preparation of flood-alleviating equipment such as pumps, lowering water levels at canals and pump station ponds, and keeping related BMA units informed of the situation.

The plan also involves preparing teams to solve emergency issues, having officials in the field report on flood situations around the clock, placing flood-alleviating equipment at spots with insufficient tools, co-ordination with related agencies, and keeping the public posted on the situation.

Meanwhile, Army commander-in-chief General Chalermchai Sittisat said the flood situation in Prachuap Khiri Khan and 11 other southern provinces had improved due to less rainfall in the past two days.

But he said eight province were still under water, particularly Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung and Trang. He affirmed that the Army would continue to provide aid to flood victims with regard to transport, relief-item delivery and healthcare.

For the areas where the water had dissipated, Chalermchai said the Army had sent soldiers to help with the rehabilitation efforts.

He said the Army was preparing for more rainfall in the region this week.

Former Democrat MP for Trang and former PM’s Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey urged the government to formulate a more complete and effective southern flood prevention and mitigation plan with better integration among related agencies and the assignment of a minister to be in charge of the response.