Southern Thailand starts cleanup as floods kill 145, with PM apologising and offering compensation amid criticism of disaster response.
BANGKOK: Massive cleanup efforts began in southern Thailand on Saturday following the worst flooding in a decade.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul apologised for widespread devastation caused by the disaster during his government’s tenure.
Heavy monsoon rain overwhelmed parts of Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia this week, killing more than 300 people and leaving thousands stranded.
Many flood victims remained on rooftops awaiting rescue as emergency services struggled to reach affected areas.
Water levels reached three metres in southern Thailand’s Songkhla province, killing at least 145 people.
The prime minister visited a shelter for evacuees in hard-hit Hat Yai district on Friday.
“I really have to apologise to them for letting this happen during the time I am in government,” he told reporters.
He announced a two-week timeframe for the district’s cleanup and pledged to prevent further deterioration.
The Thai government rolled out relief measures including compensation of up to two million baht for households that lost family members.
As floodwaters receded, shop owners began assessing extensive damage to their properties.
Shop owner Rachane Remsringam lamented hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses after his store was looted and vandalised.
Growing public criticism has targeted Thailand’s flooding response, leading to two local officials being suspended.
An opposition MP criticised the administration for wrongly estimating the situation and making errors in handling the crisis.
Officials on Indonesia’s Sumatra said flooding and landslides had killed at least 174 people with nearly 80 more missing.
Two people were killed in Malaysia’s northern Perlis state where heavy rain left stretches under water.
The annual monsoon season, typically between June and September, often brings heavy rain triggering landslides and flash floods.
A tropical storm exacerbated conditions, making these among the highest flood death tolls in recent years.
Climate change has affected storm patterns, leading to heavier rainfall and more intense rain events.
Warmer oceans can turbocharge the strength of storm systems, contributing to more severe flooding. – AFP
