PM Anutin orders agencies to expedite flood response and relief
Provincial governors have been told to speed up damage assessments, while a national disaster insurance system is due to begin on October 1.
- Prime Minister Anutin ordered provincial governors to ensure the immediate deployment of personnel and resources during disasters and to issue clear, concise Cell Broadcast warnings.
- To accelerate relief payments, relevant departments were instructed to work urgently to complete damage assessments, ensuring residents receive aid promptly.
- A national disaster insurance system is set to launch on October 1, and agencies were ordered to coordinate its implementation to streamline payments and prevent duplication.
- The Prime Minister also stressed the welfare of victims, mandating that food aid must be of good quality, nutritious, and sufficient in quantity.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered a faster nationwide flood response on Sunday (September 27, 2026), calling for action to prevent a repeat of the situation in Hat Yai.
The directives included concise and clear Cell Broadcast warnings, good-quality food for flood victims and swift damage assessments to speed up relief payments.
Preparations for a national disaster insurance system, due to begin on October 1, must include coordination with the Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) to prevent duplication.
Anutin chaired a meeting of the Central Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Administration at 1pm at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM).
Governors of 76 provinces and relevant agencies joined online to review the flood situation and assistance for affected residents.
Provincial response and emergency funding
Governors were instructed to ensure government agencies and district chiefs conduct field visits, monitor conditions closely and assess residents’ living conditions and difficulties down to the village level.
Personnel, machinery and vehicles must be deployed immediately when disaster strikes to prevent a repeat of the situation in Hat Yai district, Songkhla.
The instructions require governors to declare disaster-affected areas in accordance with the law whenever disasters or floods occur.
If conditions become severe enough to require a higher limit on government emergency advance funds, the DDPM must be notified promptly so action can be taken without delay.
The Interior Ministry’s permanent secretary was tasked with coordinating work centrally and relaying instructions to governors.
Anutin stressed that governors had full authority to make decisions and address problems in disaster-hit areas.
Provinces not yet affected must assess risks and prepare contingency plans in advance, rather than wait for a disaster before responding.
Central authorities must receive timely reports, particularly on severe incidents or those that could cause public alarm.
Daily situation reports must cover assistance provided, problems and obstacles, and any support required from the central government.
Damage assessments and relief payments
The DDPM and the Department of Local Administration were instructed to work urgently with provincial governors to complete damage assessments as quickly as possible, so relief payments could be made promptly without leaving residents facing long waits.
The “national disaster insurance” system is due to serve as a mechanism for relief payments from the start of next month.
The DDPM was instructed to coordinate urgently with the OIC to prepare the system needed for implementation and prevent duplicate payments by different agencies.
The three deputy interior ministers were assigned responsibility for separate areas, with authority to direct and coordinate with relevant agencies so assistance from the central government could reach residents quickly through provincial governors.
Food quality and public warnings
Anutin also stressed the welfare of disaster victims towards the end of the meeting.
Boxed meals distributed to those affected must be of good quality, sufficient in quantity and nutritious.
Cell Broadcast warnings must be concise, easy to understand and clearly identify affected areas and the preparations residents should make.
Local administrative organisations are to be briefed on using budget funds to assist residents during emergencies.
The prime minister said such spending would not adversely affect the performance of official duties, provided it was undertaken honestly and with the intention of helping people.
The State Audit Office of the Kingdom of Thailand would take the intention behind the spending into account when conducting audits, he added.
The governors of Sa Kaeo, Prachin Buri, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya and Kanchanaburi reported on flooding, management measures and assistance in their provinces.
Anutin then asked Interior Ministry permanent secretary Unsit Sampuntharat to chair the remainder of the meeting.
The prime minister was preparing to leave to chair a special Cabinet meeting.
