The government has approved a flood preparedness plan for Songkhla province, including fast-tracked funding to repair damaged infrastructure and restore the southern commercial hub of Hat Yai within 100 days after devastating floods late last year.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced the measures on Wednesday after a special meeting of the Joint Public-Private Consultative Committee on Economic Problems (JPPCC), which focused on flood and drought management ahead of the rainy season.
Mr Anutin said the government had coordinated with the public and private sectors to strengthen flood prevention efforts, particularly in Songkhla and other southern provinces vulnerable to seasonal flooding.
"We cannot overcome nature," he said. "But we can take steps to be fully prepared."
He said authorities had finalised emergency response plans covering evacuation centres, food supplies, disaster relief, drainage systems and infrastructure repairs. The government had also agreed to expedite budget approvals so relevant agencies could carry out urgent flood prevention work before heavy rains arrive.
Asked whether this year's flooding would be less severe than last year's, Mr Anutin said authorities had stepped up preparedness nationwide, although the scale of natural disasters could not be controlled.
He also dismissed suggestions that compensation payments from previous floods remained outstanding, saying all eligible victims who had registered had received assistance.
The meeting used last year's devastating floods in Hat Yai as a case study to improve future disaster response, with participants seeking a more coordinated approach to water management through the use of technology and shared data.
JPPCC spokesman and Thai Trade Representative Werapong Prapha said Hat Yai remained a main priority because of its role as a commercial, tourism and logistics hub for southern Thailand.
