Minister of Defense visits Saphan Sung, plans immediate post-flood recovery

Today (2 October 2026), Reporters reported that after chairing a meeting to monitor the flood situation at the Ministry of Defence Command Center, Lt. Gen. Adul Bunthamcharoen Minister of Defense, visited the Saphan Sung district. He went to Sriphruettha School currently serving as a temporary shelter to receive briefings on the situation, challenges, and needs from field personnel. He also participated in planning support for residents during the flood and recovery efforts once the situation resolved.

Approximately 5,000 households in the Saphan Sung district have been affected. The military has been continuously deploying forces to support the District Office's operations; the 1st Engineer Battalion has dispatched personnel to assist and facilitate residents, while the Armed Forces Development Command (under the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters) has deployed mobile field kitchens to prepare meals for the local population.

Minister of Defense emphasized the operational principle: “The District leads, the military supports.” The District Office is the agency most familiar with the area, the community, and the residents' needs, making it best suited to formulate plans and set priorities. Meanwhile, the military provides personnel, vehicles, equipment, and capabilities to meet these needs, ensuring all units work in the same direction and minimizing operational redundancy...and ensuring that assistance reaches the public effectively and precisely.

During the discussion, Minister of Defense emphasized the importance of comprehensive planning to care for the public across all dimensions ranging from the provision of food and drinking water, managing entry and exit routes, and caring for the elderly, the sick, and vulnerable groups, to establishing contingency plans for emergencies or accidents. He instructed officials to continuously assess the needs of each area and to coordinate immediate action whenever issues requiring resolution or support are identified.

Regarding the temporary shelter at Sriphruttha School, which houses nearly 600 people, the Defense Minister provided medical supplies from the Military Pharmaceutical Department specifically 1,000 sets of mosquito repellent and 1,000 sets of foot powder to prevent athlete's foot to support hygiene and prevent health issues associated with the flooding.

Simultaneously, Minister of Defense directed that preparations for post-flood recovery begin immediately. This includes plans for waste collection and removal, as well as the cleaning of homes, communities, roads, and public areas. He also instructed district offices to assess their requirements for personnel, vehicles, and equipment in advance, enabling the military to mobilize the necessary resources and commence recovery operations as soon as the water recedes.

Regarding personnel, Minister of Defense instructed unit commanders to plan the deployment and rotation of troops appropriately, ensuring adequate rest and monitoring the health and well being of those on duty. He also ordered the creation of backup and contingency plans for accidents or emergencies to ensure that relief operations continue safely and without interruption.

Minister of Defense reiterated that the military's role is to leverage its capabilities. “Supplementing what the area lacks” rather than taking over the role of the local authority the District Office leads operations while the military stands ready to provide support as needed ranging from immediate public care and emergency response to post-flood recovery to enable residents to return to their normal lives as quickly as possible.