Anutin visits Ang Thong, Ayutthaya pledges monthly compensation for flood victims

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Wednesday visited flood-stricken residents in Ang Thong and Ayutthaya provinces, apologising for their prolonged suffering and promising monthly compensation for rice field owners in five central provinces whose land has been used to retain floodwaters.

PM apologises and vows continued support

During his visit, Anutin expressed regret to affected residents and urged them to voice their frustrations directly at him, assuring that his government understood their hardship.

“I understand the complaints and scolding from you all because you are in trouble,” he said. “You can vent your frustration at me and the Cabinet. We are ready to listen. We know your suffering — your voices reach me every time.”

Anutin flew by helicopter from the Second Cavalry Division in Bangkok’s Phaya Thai district to survey flood-retention areas in Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Sing Buri, Chai Nat, and Suphan Buri. He later landed at Pa Mok Witthaya Phume School in Ang Thong’s Pa Mok district, where floodwaters remain high.

The prime minister was accompanied by PM’s Office Minister Paradorn Prissananantakul, Deputy Defence Minister Gen Adul Boonthamcharoen, and Deputy Interior Minister Sakda Wichiansilp.

Government drafting monthly aid scheme

Speaking to residents, Anutin said the government had not ignored those who had sacrificed their farmland for national flood management efforts. He acknowledged that many farmers in the five provinces had lost the opportunity to plant crops due to the prolonged inundation.

“Normally, flooding lasts only a few months, but this year it has stretched to four or five months,” Anutin said.

He said he had instructed Minister Paradorn to draft a proposal for a monthly compensation scheme for affected farmers, which will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval as soon as possible.

Anutin added that Paradorn would continue to work closely with provincial authorities in Ang Thong and only return to Bangkok for weekly Cabinet meetings.

Relief and drainage operations to accelerate

The prime minister said he had ordered all relevant government agencies to accelerate assistance for flood victims. Once the rains subside later this month, he said, the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) and the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) will jointly plan how to drain floodwaters from the rice fields.

“I want to thank everyone for keeping their spirits up. Please also extend encouragement to our officials,” Anutin said.

He added that specific Cabinet members had been assigned to oversee flood-relief operations in individual provinces.

Anutin pledged that his government would work to resolve flooding before the year-end holidays so people could return home and celebrate with their families.

Aid distribution and field visits

Following his speech, Anutin distributed 1,500 relief bags to local residents and presented certificates of appreciation to seven volunteers who had helped flood victims.

In the afternoon, he travelled to Wat Bandai Chang in Ayutthaya’s Sena district, where he again promised compensation payments and assured villagers that the government would speed up drainage operations.

“As the government leader, I must apologise for the suffering you are facing,” he said. “Normally, the floods would have eased by late October.”

Anutin said that during his aerial inspection he noticed areas to the east that could be used to channel floodwaters, and he would instruct Agriculture Minister Thammanat Prompao to expedite drainage into the Gulf of Thailand.

Local representatives also urged him to order the Royal Irrigation Department to accelerate water drainage, which he agreed to do.

As he handed out relief supplies, several residents cheered and complimented the prime minister, saying he looked “more handsome in person than on TV.”