Thailand to seek rehabilitation help from other countries
Thailand would seek assistance from foreign countries and international organizations for rehabilitation programs after flood damaged many areas in the country, Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said on Tuesday.
Surapong said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra assigned him to consult with the United States, China and Japan to ask them for technical assistance to rehabilitate the flood affected areas since those countries have experience in the matters.
The rehabilitation would also include a plan to prevent flood in the future, he said.
For emergency relief, Thailand now obtained assistance from many countries and international organizations as well as Thai nationals who live in abroad, he said.
The US granted Bt three millions cash together with some equipment to help relief efforts through the red cross society in Thailand.
China donated $ one million (Bt 30.7 million) cash and some necessities worth of 10 million yuan (Bt 47 million) to Thailand.
Beijing would extend more assistance to the kingdom through the red cross society, said Surapong.
New Zealand dispatched a technical team to consult the national flood relief command to explore ways they can contribute, he said.
Japan by Japan International Cooperation Agency JICA provided basic necessities such as water filters and electricity generators worth Bt12 million. In spirit of friendship relations and humanitarian, Japan provided the emergency assistant to Thailand, according to a Japanese embassy statement.
The foreign ministry also obtained Bt four or five million from Thai nationals in abroad which would hand to flood affected people in Ayutthaya and Angthong provinces, according to the ministry’s spokesman Thani Thongpakdi.
The Fine Arts Department’s Director General Somsuda Leyavanija said Tuesday she would request assistance from the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) to save the world heritage inscribed Ayutthaya historical site.
The Unesco informed the department that it was concerned over the flood situation in Thailand and could approve $ 75,000 (Bt 2.3 million) to rehabilitate the world heritage site, she said. Many historical sites in ancient capital Ayutthaya are now inundated and many of them might be damaged by the flood, she said.
