Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has ordered swift action to clear flooded areas of Chiang Rai of thick layers of mud, while waste and debris from the floods are estimated at around 68,000 tonnes in the northern Thai province.
On September 22, Paetongtarn oversaw the departure of air force planes carrying supplies provided by the government and private donors to flood victims in Chiang Rai. She said she had instructed authorities to remove mud from flooded areas, including drainage systems, before it dried and hardened. The prime minister also noted that His Majesty the King had donated 100 pressure washers to support these efforts.
Ms Paetongtarn also said the government would start providing financial assistance to victims in November, while the Commerce Ministry would take measures to stabilise prices of basic necessities to protect people affected by the floods.
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai added that staff from the highways, military, disaster prevention and mitigation departments, and the Department of Corrections, with the support of volunteers, were actively participating in the cleanup in Chiang Rai.
Management of 68,000 tonnes of waste
The armed forces and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment are working together to identify land of about 50 rai to deposit waste and debris from the disaster areas.
General Theerayut Jinhiran, commander of the Armed Forces Development Command, said flooded homes in Chiang Rai were buried under mud that was sometimes two metres deep.
Meanwhile, business tycoon Tan Passakornnatee announced he would provide 30 small excavators with operators, as well as 90 six- and ten-wheel trucks, for 30 days to help with the clean-up efforts.
Surin Worakitthamrong, deputy director-general of the Pollution Control Department, said 68,000 tonnes of waste had been collected in Chiang Rai’s central and Mae Sai districts, including 50,000 tonnes in the central district. To date, 9,400 tonnes have been removed, leaving about 58,600 tonnes to be dealt with.
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