Songsak explains Pathum Thani disaster declaration delay

Khaosod•Society•7d ago

Reader Briefing

Deputy Prime Minister Songsak Thongsri clarified that the delay in declaring a disaster area in Pathum Thani is due to the requirement for detailed data meeting DDPM criteria.

•Songsak Thongsri visited Khlong Luang Municipality in Pathum Thani on October 1, 2026.
•Songsak Thongsri ordered additional pump houses to drain water from low to high areas in Khlong Luang.
•The declaration of a disaster area in Pathum Thani requires data that meets Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) criteria to ensure legal budget usage.
•Rainfall is expected to continue between October 5-8.

Overview

•Songsak Thongsri and officials met at Khlong Luang Municipality Office, Pathum Thani, on October 1, 2026.
•The flooding in the area was caused by rainfall that exceeded forecasts.
•Songsak Thongsri ordered the installation of more pump houses to pump water from low to high areas to dry out Khlong Luang quickly.
•Songsak Thongsri ordered preparations for additional rainfall expected between October 5-8.
•Songsak Thongsri stated that the Governor of Pathum Thani cannot declare a disaster area immediately without details meeting DDPM criteria.
•Declaring a disaster area without meeting criteria could lead to legal consequences for the Governor of Pathum Thani.
•Songsak Thongsri noted that meeting DDPM criteria allows local authorities to use budgets for assistance correctly according to the law.

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Key Entities

Person

Songsak Thongsri(ทรงศักดิ์ ทองศรี)

Deputy Prime Minister overseeing the Office of the National Water Resources.

Thaneeya Naiphinit(ธนียา นัยพินิจ)

Governor of Pathum Thani.

Chayan Muangsong(ชยันต์ เมืองสง)

Secretary-General of the Office of the National Water Resources.

Songpol Suaysom(ทรงพล สวยสม)

Deputy Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department.

Yutthasak Chuprasert(ยุทธศักดิ์ ชูประเสริฐ)

Mayor of Khlong Luang Municipality.

Organization

Office of the National Water Resources(สำนักงานทรัพยากรน้ำแห่งชาติ)ℹ️

An agency overseen by Songsak Thongsri.

Royal Irrigation Department(กรมชลประทาน)

A government department represented by Songpol Suaysom.

Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation(กรมป้องกันและบรรเทาสาธารณภัย)

The agency that sets the criteria for declaring disaster areas.

Place

Pathum Thani(ปทุมธานี)ℹ️

The province experiencing flooding and awaiting a disaster area declaration.

Khlong Luang Municipality(เทศบาลเมืองคลองหลวง)

A municipality in Pathum Thani where the meeting took place.