This year floods have ravaged several southern provinces, upsetting the lives of more than 1 million people.

The government has decided to organise a special event to raise funds for the flood-affected people.

The event, to be held from 6pm to 8pm on Sunday, will be broadcast live via Television Pool of Thailand.

“In addition to the prime minister, even Cabinet members and entertainment figures will accept phone calls at this fund-raising event,” Deputy Government Spokesman Lt General Werachon Sukondhapatipak disclosed yesterday.

He said interested donors could also come in person to the event, which would take place at Government House.

“We will accept donations at Government House until 11pm on Sunday,” he said.

Werachon said the government hoped for financial donations because they would be the easiest to transfer to agencies responsible for direct delivery of help to flood victims.

Thai Red Cross sends trucks

Due to the serious extent of flooding, various organisations have been busy sending help to people in affected areas.

The Thai Red Cross Society of Thailand yesterday dispatched its trucks to flood-hit provinces. Joining the convoy were artists from RS music label and Channel 8 TV station.

In the northeastern province of Udon Thani, a network of organic farmers has arranged 1,334 kilograms of rice for flood victims.

“We will send them to people in flood-hit areas,” Udon Thani Governor Prapas Malakarn said yesterday.

In the Central province of Nakhon Pathom, several trucks headed to the South to deliver basic necessities to the victims of floods as well.

Nation Group, which publishes The Nation, also organised a campaign to help the flood victims.

To date, it has already raised  more than Bt6million  for floodrelief operations.

In a related development, the Labour Ministry announced yesterday that the Social Security Board had agreed to reduce the amount of monthly contributions to the Social Security Fund by employers and employees in 12 flood-hit provinces from this month until March.

Normally, their monthly contributions must be equivalent to five per cent of their salary – with salary not exceeding Bt15,000.

The percentage will be reduced to 3 per cent as a special measure.