“Decharut” urges government to speed up relief for long-term flood victims, blasts MOI for 10-day delay with no drainage plan!

Today (19 October 2026) at 9:40 AM at the Parliament, the People's Party held a press conference announcing the results of the 16th Shadow Cabinet meeting. Mr. Decharut Sukkumnoed, Director of the Think Forward Center and Chairman of the People's Party Water Situation Monitoring Working Group, revealed regarding the current flood situation that although the overall severity level has decreased, several areas continue to face ongoing crises. This is particularly true in Chachoengsao, Prachinburi, Nakhon Nayok, and Pathum Thani provinces, where floodwaters are expected to remain inundated for longer than one month. This has caused severe hardship for residents who desperately need assistance with daily living, medical care, and clarity regarding chemical contamination in Prachinburi and Chachoengsao provinces.

Mr. Decharut noted that the People's Party had submitted an interpellation on these matters back on October 8, 2026. At that time, Mr. Jaeset Thaiseth, Deputy Minister of Interior, explained in Parliament that he would provide documentary evidence regarding safe evacuation shelters, flood-risk zone maps, and drainage plans to the interpellator. However, even after 10 days have passed, no such information has been received. This raises questions about the Ministry of Interior's readiness—why data previously claimed to be ready for immediate dispatch remains delayed, and why drainage plans cannot yet be clarified to local residents who are waiting to hear official answers.

Furthermore, the lack of a proper water management plan is beginning to cause conflicts among local residents. Additionally, there are neglected areas that have been flooded for over a week, such as Ratchaburi and Samut Songkhram provinces, which are orchard areas where locals are attempting to pump water out; they urgently need government support. As for the situation in the southern region, heavy rain exceeding 100 millimeters has been continuously falling in several areas, with forecasts predicting heavy rain from October 19–21, 2026. Residents from Phetchaburi province southward are advised to monitor the situation closely, and local administrative organizations are urged to prepare emergency responses. The People's Party has conducted workshops in high-risk provinces and is preparing to open coordination centers to support local entities in assisting affected citizens.

Regarding delayed and confusing relief measures, Mr. Decharut suggested that the government can resolve this immediately by passing a Cabinet resolution to approve additional central emergency budgets to expedite disbursements. Moreover, rules and regulations that act as barriers to accessing assistance must be reviewed and revised. For example, in Bang Pakong District, Chachoengsao Province, shrimp and fish farmers failed to receive compensation due to lacking purchase receipts for postlarvae/fingerlings or lacking aquaculture registration. Therefore, he called on the government to use Cabinet power to relax rules flexibly so that assistance reaches those truly in distress, concluding with a message from the public: if you cannot manage water well, at least provide better compensation and relief to the people.

Photo : Weeraphat Ratsameerueangrong