Local residents travel by boat on a flooded road in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo)
BANGKOK (AP) — The death toll in Myanmar from flooding and landslides caused by Typhoon Yagi has reached at least 74, with 89 people missing, Myanmar’s state television said Saturday.
Difficulties in compiling information have raised fears that the number of casualties may be higher.
The new official death toll announced by the country’s military government was more than double the 33 reported on Friday. Typhoon Yagi earlier hit Vietnam, northern Thailand and Laos, killing more than 260 people and causing major damage.
The new totals were announced after state media reported that Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the head of the ruling military council, said that Myanmar was requesting relief aid from foreign countries.
A car is submerged on a flooded road in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo)
Nearly 240,000 people have been displaced, according to the reports. There were already 3.4 million displaced people in Myanmar at the beginning of September, according to the U.N. refugee agency, mostly because of war and unrest in recent years.
In Myanmar, low-lying areas in the central regions of Mandalay and Bago, as well as eastern Shan state and the country’s capital, Naypyitaw, have been inundated by water since Wednesday.
Min Aung Hlaing and other military officials inspected flooded areas and reviewed rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts in Naypyitaw on Friday, the state-run Myanma Alinn newspaper reported. Its report said that he instructed officials to contact foreign countries, as other countries affected by the storm did, to receive rescue and relief aid for the victims.
“It is necessary to manage rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures as quickly as possible,” he was quoted as saying.
A man carrying a dog wades through a flooded road in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo)A dog stands near a half-submerged house on a flooded road in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo)
The exact extent of the damage still wasn’t clear, but there were fears that the death toll may rise sharply. Local news outlets reported more than 100 people missing.
Efforts to tally casualties and damage and provide relief are complicated. Myanmar is in a state of civil war that began in 2021, after the army seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. Independent analysts believe the military controls much less than half of the country’s territory.
Myanmar experiences extreme weather virtually every year during the monsoon season. In 2008, Cyclone Nargis killed more than 138,000 people. In that case, the military government then in power delayed accepting international assistance, and when it finally relented, tightly controlled its distribution, with little or no oversight by aid donors.
Local residents travel by boat on a flooded road in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo)
Saturday evening’s state television news said that 24 bridges, 375 school buildings, one Buddhist monastery, five dams, four pagodas, 14 electrical transformers, 456 lampposts and more than 65,000 houses were damaged by floods in central and eastern parts of the country.
Naypyitaw is one of the areas that was hit hardest by the floods. Myanmar’s Eleven Media group reported on Friday that record rainfall had damaged several pagodas in Bagan, the country’s ancient capital that is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The rain, said to be the heaviest in 60 years, collapsed walls at several centuries-old old temples, it said.
CHIANG RAI — Singha Park Chiang Rai supports rescue efforts in flood-hit Chiang Rai, delivers drinking water and ready-to-eat meals
Chiang Rai province in Thailand’s north is facing severe flooding as Kok River, the province’s main tributary, has overflown, damaging a wide area and stranding thousands of residents.
Even in areas where the water has receded like Mae Sai district, infrastructure damages meant many have had to take shelter in the many evacuation centers provided.
Singha Park Chiang Rai, a Boon Rawd Brewery-affiliated company, has opened the kitchen to provide meals for five “Singha R-SA” rescue networks including Siam Chiang Rai Foundation, Thammanan Chiangrai Rescue Association, Sirikorn Chiang Rai Disaster Relief Association, Piyamitr Maesai Co-operative Emergency Rescue and Charity, and the Chiang Rai Public Charitable Society so they can perform their duties of saving lives in zones that have been submerged.
Singha Park Chiang Rai also provides ready-to-eat meals (retort products) and drinking water for many stranded Chiang Rai residents in various areas. It has also turned its parking lot into a free parking space for evacuees to leave their vehicles after they have fled from their homes.
The flooding in Chiang Rai is expected to continue as the Kok River level remains high, affecting low-lying areas and the business parts of the city. The “Singha R-SA” rescue team, the rescue network, and the student network continue to monitor the situation closely to efficiently deliver aid and emotional support during this crisis.
BANGKOK — Thailand’s Printed Circuit Board or PCB industry continues to show signs of expansion. The government continues to promote investment in the PCB industry and encourage Thai manufacturers to partner with global supply chains.
Negotiations are underway with other leading companies to set up manufacturing facilities in Thailand and expand investment. Staggered incentives are being offered for investment in complex technologies.
In July 2024, PCB exports amounted to 120.22 million dollars, an increase of 9.16 percent compared to the same period last year. Imports amounted to 285.24 million US dollars, an increase of 98.88 percent compared to the previous year. The OIE estimates that the PCB industry will see gradual export growth in 2024.
Most PCB industry investment in Thailand comes from overseas or joint ventures, especially from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan. Foreign shareholders usually supervise the production and management to comply with the joint venture agreements.
The Office of Industrial Economics (OIE), Ministry of Industry, announced that the number of projects and the investment value of projects that received investment support in the PCB product group from 2018 to 2023 has been continuously increasing.
Printed Circuit Board or PCB
From 6 to 45 Projects
In 2018, there were 6 projects worth 1.71 billion baht. In 2019, there were 10 projects worth 10.97 billion baht. In 2020, 15 projects with a total investment of 7.62 billion baht were approved.
In 2021, there were 21 projects worth 15.24 billion baht and in 2022 there were 20 projects worth 21.77 billion baht. In 2023, the number of projects increased to 45 with an investment value of 92.17 billion baht, an increase of 323.32 percent.
This has led to a corresponding increase in the employment of workers in Thailand. In 2018, 950 workers were employed, rising to 1,786 in 2019, 2,368 in 2020, 4,634 in 2021, 9,043 in 2022 and 16,234 in 2023.
It is noteworthy that 2023 saw the largest increase in investment support for PCB companies, with most applications for investment support coming from the Board of Investment (BOI). This is in line with the goal of positioning Thailand as a leading manufacturing hub for electronic PCBs in the global market.
In addition, geopolitical factors and trade wars have made Thailand an attractive country for investment, resulting in Thailand being ASEAN’s main PCB manufacturing base.
Printed Circuit Board or PCB
Booming PCB Industry
Data from the BOI and the Department of Industrial Works shows that there are 163 PCB factories in Thailand (as of July 2024). These include 83 large factories, 16 medium-sized factories and 64 small factories.
Based on the complexity of production technology, PCBs can be divided into five types: single-sided PCBs, double-sided PCBs, multilayer PCBs, flexible PCBs and rigid-flex PCBs.
In terms of production technology, most of the companies that received investment support between 2023 and 2024 are manufacturers of multilayer printed circuit boards, namely around 16 companies (30 percent). Flexible PCB manufacturers have started to invest in Thailand in 2024 with four companies and one company is investing in rigid-flex PCBs.
According to the Association Connecting Electronics Industries (IPC), the PCB industry is highly volatile due to rapid technological advancements. The demand for flexible and rigid-flex PCBs is expected to increase in the future.
“Based on various policies, it is expected to attract investment from 10 more major global PCB manufacturers, creating a PCB cluster and achieving an initial investment surge of no less than 100 billion baht. This is an opportunity for Thailand to become a leading center of electronics manufacturing in the future,” stated the IPC.
Printed Circuit Board or PCB
Workers Are Increasingly Needed
Meanwhile, Mr. Phanavee Phokaiyudom, President of Mahanakorn University of Technology (MUT), announced that more than 50 PCB companies have already invested in Thailand, with a total investment of about 150 billion baht. This is one of the most important industrial investments in Thailand.
These companies have discussed with MUT that the industry will need more than 70,000 workers in the next two years, including 50,000 technical workers and 20,000 engineers.
Therefore, MUT is working with the Thailand Printed Circuit Association (THPCA) and the Microelectronics Technology Center (TMEC) to train these workers through short-term programs that focus on upskilling and reskilling
This program is not limited to graduates of electronics or electrical engineering majors, but graduates of related majors such as industrial engineering or mechanical engineering can also enroll in MUT’s short-term programs.
Matichon Forum for PCB
For those interested in this topic, Matichon Group, a leading Thai media company, in collaboration with the House of Representatives’ Committee on Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (HESRI), is organizing a seminar titled “Overcoming Crisis, Shaping PCB: A Hundred Billion Baht Economy” on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, from 09:00 to 13:00 at the Infinity Room, Pullman Hotel, Ratchathewi, Bangkok.
A seminar ‘Overcoming Crisis, Shaping PCB: A Hundred Billion Baht Economy’ will be held on September 17, 2024, from 09:00 to 13:00 at the Infinity Room, Pullman Hotel, Ratchathewi, Bangkok.
The seminar schedule begins with a special lecture by Mr. Thakorn Tanthasit, Chief Advisor to the HESRI Committee, followed by Professor Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck, Chairman of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC).
Next, the HESRI Committee will present a study report by Dr. Wayo Assawarungruang, Chairman of the HESRI Committee.
The seminar includes two panel discussions:
The first panel features speakers:
Mr. Akradej Wongpitakroj, Chairman of the House Committee on Industry
Mr. Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary-General of the Board of Investment (BOI)
Mr. Trairat Viriyasirisakul, Deputy Secretary-General, Acting Secretary-General of NBTC
Asst. Prof. Dr. Lertsak Lekawat, Acting Assistant Dean of the College of Advanced Manufacturing Innovation, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang
The second panel includes:
Mr. Korkij Danchaivichit, Deputy Secretary-General of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Policy Committee
Mr. Pongchai Amatanont, CEO of Forth Corporation Public Company Limited
Mr. Suroj Lamsam, President of the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand
Immigration Police arrest three Maldivian men from East Coast gang network who overstayed their visas.
BANGKOK — Police Major General Phantana Nuchanart, Deputy Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, along with other senior police officers, held a press conference on September 13 about the arrest of three Maldivian men from the East Coast gang network who had overstayed their visas. The suspects have a history of nearly fatally stabbing a fellow countryman.
Officials discovered that three Maldivian nationals were staying at a condominium on Ramkhamhaeng Road, Huamark, Bang Kapi district, Bangkok, under suspicious circumstances. They set up surveillance in the area.
Immigration Police arrest three Maldivian men from East Coast gang network who overstayed their visas in Bangkok.
Later, they spotted foreign nationals behaving suspiciously near the condominium. Upon approaching and requesting to see their passports, Mohammed, 28, a Maldivian national, was unable to produce his passport, claiming it was in his room.
He then led the arrest team to his room, where they found Asham, 26, and Abdullah, 19, both Maldivian nationals, behaving suspiciously. Upon checking their passports, it was discovered that all three were foreigners whose permission to stay in the kingdom had expired. They were arrested and sent to investigators for legal proceedings.
Further investigation revealed that all three are also listed in the Interpol Red Notice. They had criminal records in the Maldives for charges of assault with a sharp object and threatening others with a sharp object. They had jointly stabbed a victim in the head, face, and body, causing severe injuries.
They are also part of the East Coast Gang, a local criminal network in the Maldives known for violence and involvement in drug trafficking.
Great Wall Motors (GWM) manufacturing plant in Rayong, Thailand, Jan. 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)
BANGKOK — A high-level executive source from a Chinese car company revealed to “Prachachat Business” that executives and representatives from Chinese car companies operating in Thailand met with high-ranking diplomats from the Chinese Embassy in Thailand to discuss problems and communication strategies for conducting business in Thailand.
This follows a period where many Chinese car manufacturers chose to use aggressive price war tactics in their marketing strategies. The discussion aimed to make Chinese car companies’ operations in Thailand more sustainable.
“We must admit that the car market, especially the Chinese EV segment, has been quite chaotic. Operators have been competing with severe price reductions, significantly impacting the industry’s overall image,” the source said.
BYD
The root of this problem stems from EV promotion policies leading to numerous market players, coupled with parent companies in China using a stock-dumping policy hoping to use Thailand as an outlet. This forces operators to compete intensely, and if they want to clear stock quickly, the solution is to reduce selling prices.
The source added that another issue is that operators participating in EV 3.0 and EV 3.5 measures must now start compensatory production according to agreed ratios (EV 3.0 in 2024 at 1:1, in 2025 at 1:1.5).
Coincidentally, the current car market situation has severely deteriorated due to weak purchasing power and strict lending policies from financial institutions, causing the domestic market to contract unprecedentedly.
Meanwhile, the export market faces geopolitical issues. It’s expected that the price war situation may persist until the end of the year or longer, which is a problem that needs urgent resolution.
“There are still many problems to come, especially as new Chinese brands will enter the market later this year. Meanwhile, dealers’ profits from car sales have shrunk significantly due to the price war. Now it’s about who has the longer financial runway because a business where everyone is losing money won’t last long.”
Another source revealed that during this discussion, Chinese car operators and the Chinese Embassy jointly debated several issues, especially long-term marketing strategies in Thailand, to ensure the most appropriate competition without resorting to price wars, to build confidence and sustainability in marketing.
Most operators proposed reflecting back to the embassy and Chinese government to urge parent companies of each brand about price war policies and dumping of produced car stocks into Thailand.
Ultimately, all brands will have to compete by reducing prices, which is not a sustainable business approach. Operators don’t want to repeat the situation in the Chinese EV market, where selling prices collapsed, causing market distortion due to oversupply issues.
The car companies participating in this discussion with the Chinese Embassy included MG, Great Wall Motor, Neta, BYD, Changan, AION, OMODA & JAECOO, and Zeekr
SAMUT SAKHON — Immigration busts Chinese warehouse for counterfeiting famous brand cosmetics sold online, worth nearly 4 million baht.
Samut Sakhon Immigration officers, along with officials from the Samut Sakhon Provincial Public Health Office, Samut Sakhon Provincial Employment Office, and Mueang Samut Sakhon District Administration, raided a warehouse in Tha Sai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Samut Sakhon Province. The raid followed reports of Chinese nationals illegally working to sell counterfeit cosmetics.
During the raid, five Chinese nationals were found working, packing, lifting, and arranging goods inside the warehouse. A Chinese woman named Yu identified herself as the warehouse supervisor.
The warehouse was used for storing and distributing products without registration numbers and lacking Thai-language labels. Officials seized and confiscated 8 types of items, totaling 6,000 pieces valued at 3,739,300 baht ($112,176). These included suspected counterfeit cosmetics, unregistered cosmetics, and cosmetics without Thai labels.
The seized items included: 1. 400 pieces of Cetaphil Cleanser, 2. 550 pieces of Cetaphil Moisture, 3. 3,000 pieces of CeraVe Lotion, 4. 1,000 pieces of CeraVe Cleanser, 5. 300 pieces of CeraVe Serum, 6. 400 pieces of Biore UV, 7. 200 pieces of Rtopr cream, and 8. 150 pieces of Dermatrix Ultra Gel.
At a press conference on September 13 at the Immigration Bureau in Muang Thong Thani, Police Major General Phanthana Nuchanart, Deputy Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, stated that the warehouse operated as a fulfillment center, storing, packing, and shipping goods. Chinese investors opened online stores on various platforms, with employees packing and shipping products to Thai customers. The warehouse processed over 1,000 items daily.
The five foreign nationals were charged as follows:
Yu (Chinese national): Working outside permitted rights, employing foreign workers without work permits, possessing cosmetic products with incorrect labels for sale, and concealing goods known to be associated with criminal activities.
Four others – Wang (38), Su (30), Liang (32), and Guan (35), all Chinese nationals: Working without work permits.
All suspects were handed over to Mueang Samut Sakhon Police Station for further legal proceedings.
The CPPD officers and officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched the second phase of their "Clearing Chinese Supermarkets in Bangkok on September 13, 2024.
BANGKOK — Phase 2 operation launched: Thai officials inspect 7 Chinese supermarkets in Bangkok, seize 2,400 unauthorized products.
On September 13, the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) in collaboration with officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched the second phase of their “Clearing Chinese Supermarkets in Bangkok” operation.
They inspected 7 stores suspected of illegally importing and selling goods from China without proper authorization. The operation resulted in the seizure of 97 different types of products, totaling over 2,411 items.
Previously, authorities received complaints about several general stores in Bangkok selling smuggled goods from China, particularly food items lacking FDA registration numbers or proper Thai-language labels. These products posed potential risks to consumers.
To deter such practices, CPPD police and FDA officials began inspecting these supermarkets, covering more than 12 locations since mid-July.
The CPPD officers and officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched the second phase of their “Clearing Chinese Supermarkets in Bangkok on September 13, 2024.
After the initial operation showed results, with many stores reducing their illegal activities, some stores resumed selling these unauthorized products once attention waned. This led to the launch of the second phase of the crackdown.
Weerachai Nolwachai, Deputy Secretary-General of the FDA, stated that these tax-evading Chinese food products are smuggled into Thailand via trucks crossing the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge. They are then stored in warehouses around the Bangkok metropolitan area before being distributed to Bangkok and other provinces.
Moving forward, discussions will be held with relevant agencies to prevent this issue. The FDA has already notified Provincial Public Health Offices nationwide to conduct continuous surveillance in all areas.
Rescue workers search for the missing after a flash flood buries a hamlet in mud and debris in the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi in Lao Cai province, Vietnam Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (Duong Van Giang/VNA via AP)
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — The death toll in the aftermath of a typhoon in Vietnam climbed to 233 on Friday as rescue workers recovered more bodies from areas hit by landslides and flash floods, state media reported.
Flood waters from the swollen Red River in the capital, Hanoi, were beginning to recede somewhat, but many neighborhoods remained inundated and farther north experts were predicting it could still be days before any relief was in sight.
Typhoon Yagi made landfall Saturday, starting a week of heavy rains that have triggered flash floods and landslides, particularly in Vietnam’s mountainous north.
Across Vietnam, 103 people are still listed as missing and more than 800 have been injured.
Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, foreground right, visits as rescue work is underway after a flash flood buries a hamlet in mud and debris in the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi in Lao Cai province, Vietnam Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024 (Duong Van Giang/VNA via AP)
Most fatalities have come in the province of Lao Cai, where a flash flood swept away the entire hamlet of Lang Nu on Tuesday. Eight villagers turned up safe on Friday morning, telling others that they had left before the deluge, state-run VNExpress newspaper reported, but 48 others from Lang Nu have been found dead, and another 39 remain missing.
Roads to Lang Nu have been badly damaged, making it impossible to bring in heavy equipment to aid in the rescue effort.
Some 500 personnel with sniffer dogs are on hand, and in a visit to the scene on Thursday, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh promised they would not relent in their search for those still missing.
“Their families are in agony,” Chinh said.
Coffins were stacked near the disaster site in preparation for the worst, and villager Tran Thi Ngan mourned at a makeshift altar for family members she had lost.
“It’s a disaster,” she told VTV news. “That’s the fate we have to accept.”
In Cao Bang, another northern province bordering China, 21 bodies had been recovered by Friday, four days after a landslide pushed a bus, a car and several motorcycles into a small river, swollen with floodwaters. Ten more people remain missing.
Rescue workers and a sniff dog search for the missing after a flash flood buries a hamlet in mud and debris in the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi in Lao Cai province, Vietnam Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024 (Duong Van Giang/VNA via AP)
In the aftermath of Yagi, the strongest typhoon to hit the Southeast Asian country in decades, Australia has already begun delivering humanitarian aid supplies as part of $2 million in assistance.
South Korea has also pledged $2 million in humanitarian aid, and the U.S. Embassy said Friday it would provide $1 million in support through the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID.
“With more heavy rain forecast in the coming days, USAID’s disaster experts continue to monitor humanitarian needs in close coordination with local emergency authorities and partners on the ground,” the embassy said in a statement. “USAID humanitarian experts on the ground are participating in ongoing assessments to ensure U.S. assistance rapidly reaches populations in need.”
Experts say storms like Typhoon Yagi are getting stronger due to climate change, as warmer ocean waters provide more energy to fuel them, leading to higher winds and heavier rainfall.
The typhoon and ensuing heavy rains have damaged factories in northern provinces like Haiphong, home to electric car company VinFast, Apple parts suppliers and other electronic manufacturers, which could affect international supply chains, the Center for Strategic and International Studies said in a research note.
“Though 95 percent of businesses operating in Haiphong were expected to resume some activity on September 10, repair efforts will likely lower output for the next weeks and months,” CSIS said.
An Australian fugitive is arrested at a resort on Koh Phangan by Surat Thani Immigration Police on September 12 for overstaying his visa.
KOH PHANGAN — Immigration Police in Surat Thani Province arrested an Australian suspect wanted for 13 sexual assault cases and 2 rape cases in Australia. The suspect was hiding in Thailand, planning to spend his retirement years there.
Mr. Helio, a 62-year-old Australian national, might have looked like a typical foreign tourist wanting to spend his retirement on Koh Phangan, known for its beautiful seascapes and tranquility. However, the serious crimes he committed in the past caught up with him, preventing him from living the life he had hoped for.
Helio was arrested by Surat Thani Immigration Police on September 12 for overstaying his visa. However, the crimes he committed in Australia were far more severe.
An Australian fugitive is arrested at a resort on Koh Phangan by Surat Thani Immigration Police on September 12 for overstaying.
According to the Immigration Bureau’s information system, Helio entered Thailand on June 16, 2024, with a visa exemption for tourists. His permission expired on July 15, 2024. He applied for a 30-day extension for tourism purposes, which expired on August 14. However, there was no record of him leaving the country.
Later, investigators learned that Helio was staying at a resort in Koh Phangan. They went to investigate and found him in violation of overstaying his visa. Helio claimed he was planning to apply for a retirement visa to spend his later years in Thailand.
When checking his criminal history, authorities found that he had an Interpol Blue Notice. Based on this information, investigators contacted the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and learned that Helio had an arrest warrant and criminal history in Australia for 13 sexual assault cases and 2 rape cases, with incidents dating back to 2017.
Initially, officials handed him over to Koh Phangan Police Station to process the overstay case. They will then coordinate with Australian authorities for his extradition.
The Mirror Foundation Chiang Rai posted images of the flood situation in Mueang Chiang Rai District on Wednesday, September 11, at 1:39 PM. The photos show the areas of Koh Loi community, Phor Khun intersection, and Kok River Bridge on Phahonyothin Road.
BANGKOK — Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra stated on Thursday after an emergency meeting on handling the flood situation in the Northern region that she and her team will travel to the flood-affected areas in Chiang Rai Province on Friday, September 13, 2024. She has instructed that government officials should not come to welcome her. They should concentrate on helping affected people
She has ordered all ministries to expedite assistance in evacuating stranded citizens from the affected areas as quickly as possible to save lives.
Regarding criticism about the untimely flood warning system for villagers, the Prime Minister said that after checking several areas, it was found that the warning system was functioning. She acknowledged comments from citizens who were reluctant to leave their homes due to concerns about their property, which she understood, but emphasized that warnings had been issued.
Severe flooding in Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai Province, on September 12, 2024. This marks the eighth flood event in the area this year, part of the worst flooding Chiang Rai has experienced in 80 years.
“I want to tell the public that I take responsibility here. We’re ready to look into compensation and care for the people. Please prioritize saving your lives first and evacuate from the affected areas as quickly as possible. We’ll see how the government can help in other ways. It’s the government’s duty to continue ensuring the safety of the people and address the loss of property during the flood,” the PM said.
This emergency meeting was held immediately after the Prime Minister finished presenting the government’s policies to parliament. This policy statement gives the Prime Minister executive authority to issue administrative orders, according to the constitution
Paetongtarn chaired the meeting inside the parliament building, with relevant ministers and officials in attendance, including General Songwit Noonpakdee, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, who had just returned from personally visiting the affected areas in Chiang Rai.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra presides over an emergency meeting on handling the flood situation in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai provinces at the Parliament on September 12, 2024.
There was also a video conference with Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces to hear situation reports from Mr. Suthipong Juljarern, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, who had traveled to the area.
The Prime Minister stated that the situation in both Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai provinces is quite severe now, with water reaching the economic zones in the city districts and approaching the airport, although the runway is still usable. She stressed that this problem requires everyone’s cooperation to protect and help people overcome these obstacles as quickly as possible.
Mr. Suthipong reported via video conference from Chiang Rai that this year, especially in Mae Sai district, they are facing the most severe natural disaster in 80 years. Mae Sai has experienced flooding 7 times this year, with this being the 8th occurrence since August.
The severe flooding, the worst in 80 years, is due to two main factors: First, heavy rainfall occurring 7 times, saturating the Mae Sai River and the land on both the Thai and neighboring country sides. Second, the latest storm (Yangi) brought an enormous amount of water, resulting in widespread damage to the Mae Sai market area. The city of Chiang Rai is affected by another water system originating from a neighboring country.
In addition to this meeting, the Thailand Environment Institute Foundation provided further information that Chiang Rai faces recurring flood problems during the rainy season every year, both in urban and rural areas. In urban areas, the Kok River overflows its banks during the flood season. The topography of high plains between mountains is a contributing factor that makes flooding easier.
In rural areas, flash floods and landslides are problems due to the mostly mountainous terrain. Inadequate drainage systems mean that when heavy rain occurs, water flows down rapidly, causing extensive damage to people’s homes and property, as well as public and private infrastructure.
The Chiang Rai Provincial Development Plan 2023-2027 also indicates that the current expansion of Chiang Rai city is leapfrogging, with rapid and continuous construction of buildings, houses, and transportation routes. Rivers and canals that once served as natural drainage have been encroached upon and filled, degrading their ability to efficiently handle rainwater, resulting in widespread flooding problems.
At the same time, urban expansion affects the ecosystem. Forests, which play a role in absorbing rainwater and preventing flash floods and landslides, are being destroyed. Data on Chiang Rai’s forest area in 2023 shows a decrease of over 8,200 rai from the previous year. Additionally, the construction of large dams on the Mekong River in China affects lower Mekong countries, including Thailand’s Chiang Rai province, which is located on the Mekong riverbank.
While there are as many as 38 water management agencies in 10 ministries in Thailand, each with different responsibilities such as issuing warning information, assisting flood victims, managing irrigation systems, and providing water situation information, many agencies have overlapping roles, which is one of the problems.
Therefore, the Paetongtarn government’s urgent mission is to assist, rehabilitate, and compensate those affected, and prepare to prevent flooding in the central river basin, which is the country’s economic area. The long-term goal is to implement a systematic water management plan that has been discussed for over a decade.
