Latest news with #Theerarat
Bangkok Post
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Government grilled on border relief gaps
Opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut has criticised what he described as slow, uneven and unclear compensation measures for people affected by the recent Thai–Cambodian border clashes. Speaking in the House of Representatives on Thursday, the People's Party leader urged the government to streamline its relief schemes through a one-stop service centre and revise regulations to ensure payments are made fairly and cover all households. He cited complaints from residents that they returned from evacuation centres only to find utility bills waiting at their homes despite the government's pledge to waive water and electricity charges. Others reported delays in receiving compensation for lost income, while families whose homes or vehicles were damaged were left uncertain about the procedures required to claim assistance. The opposition leader also called on the government to address the welfare of frontline personnel, including village defence volunteers and health workers, many of whom continue to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and cannot fully perform their duties. Responding on behalf of the prime minister, Deputy Interior Minister Theerarat Samrejvanich insisted the government has been providing continuous assistance since the clashes began on July 24 clashes. She said 100 million baht had already been allocated to seven border provinces to expedite relief. Evacuees, she said, received immediate support through local budgets, while those returning home were provided with essential supplies. Reviewing housing damage, Ms Theerarat said repairs were already under way. In Surin, 58 of 107 damaged homes had been repaired, while in Ubon Ratchathani, 129 of 137 had been restored. Buri Ram reported 14 of 16 homes fixed, and in Si Sa Ket, 134 of 445 homes had been repaired. In addition, she noted, private donors had provided prefabricated houses for families whose homes were destroyed. Regarding water and electricity bills, Ms Theerarat explained that the waiver applied only from early July, and some households may have received backdated bills from June or early July. The Provincial Electricity Authority had been instructed to offset those payments against future bills, she said. The deputy minister also noted that affected areas had been formally declared disaster zones in 42 districts across seven provinces, which allowed targeted relief to continue in phases: immediate, medium-term and long-term.
Bangkok Post
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Bhumjaithai MP slams govt's 'slow, inadequate' response
A tense House session yesterday saw Bhumjaithai Party MP Thana Kitpaiboonchai blast the government's response to the Thai-Cambodian border conflict as "slow and inadequate". Mr Thana, who represents Si Sa Ket, criticised the lack of financial assistance for provinces directly affected by the conflict. He said local administration organisations (LAOs) in Si Sa Ket, Surin, Buri Ram and Ubon Ratchathani have been forced to rely on their limited budget and private donations, despite the "hundreds of billions" in the central government's coffers. "Are our border citizens not worth your concern?" he said, before noting that the families of those killed by the violence in the South received 7.5 million baht in compensation, while relatives of those killed in the current border conflict with Cambodia would only receive about a million baht. Although Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra -- who is currently suspended from duty pending a ruling on the leaked clip of her conversation with Cambodian strongman Hun Sen -- appointed Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai to answer on her behalf, it was Deputy Interior Minister Theerarat Samrejvanich who responded to Mr Thana's criticism. Ms Theerarat defended the government's response, saying the provinces have been declared disaster zones, which allows LAOs to access emergency funds. She claimed the government has approved and disbursed 100 million baht for each province to help deal with the current situation. She said the government is coordinating with the Comptroller General's Department to ease funding restrictions, before adding that additional support is available from several state agencies. In a dramatic moment, Ms Theerarat phoned Ubon Ratchathani governor Adisak Noysuwan during the session to confirm budget availability. Mr Adisak affirmed funds were accessible. However, Ang Thong MP Koravee Prisananantakul objected, accusing Ms Theerarat of violating parliamentary rules by involving an outsider. The House speaker issued a warning but let the session continue. Near the end of the session, Mr Thana urged coalition MPs to reassess their loyalty: "If you support a government that abandons its people, stand by them until election day.
Bangkok Post
13-07-2025
- Bangkok Post
'Sukhumvit model' to spearhead Bangkok changes
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has rolled out its "Sukhumvit Model", an initiative aimed at improving safety, public order and the overall quality of life along Sukhumvit Road. Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt led an inspection of the area on Thursday night, accompanied by deputy governor Wisanu Subsompon, Deputy Interior Minister Theerarat Samrejvanich and other senior officials. The inspection route stretched from Sukhumvit Soi 39 to Soi 3 in Watthana district, including the Asoke Intersection, to sois 4–24 in Klong Toey district, more than five kilometres in total. The initiative targets a broad range of urban challenges affecting both residents and tourists. Governor Chadchart identified recurring issues such as illegal cannabis sales, drug trafficking, homelessness, unauthorised street vending and unlicensed taxis. Others were loud noise from tuk-tuks, parking violations, poor street lighting, limited CCTV coverage, broken sidewalks and unsightly overhead communication cables. "These are not isolated issues -- they reflect on the city's image and affect everyday life. If we can resolve them here, Sukhumvit can serve as a blueprint for the rest of Bangkok," he said. Deputy Interior Minister Theerarat said the move follows Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai's instructions on ensuring residents' safety and wellbeing and restoring tourist confidence. The BMA is working with at least eight core agencies, including the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA), the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and the Department of Land Transport (DLT), on the scheme. "The ultimate goal is to make Bangkok a safe, liveable city, free from illegal activities, where residents feel secure and tourists can enjoy their stay with peace of mind," Ms Theerarat said.
Bangkok Post
12-07-2025
- Bangkok Post
'Sukhumvit model' to spearhead city changes
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has rolled out its "Sukhumvit Model", an initiative aimed at improving safety, public order and the overall quality of life along Sukhumvit Road. Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt led an inspection of the area on Thursday night, accompanied by deputy governor Wisanu Subsompon, Deputy Interior Minister Theerarat Samrejvanich and other senior officials. The inspection route stretched from Sukhumvit Soi 39 to Soi 3 in Watthana district, including the Asoke Intersection, to sois 4–24 in Klong Toey district, more than five kilometres in total. The initiative targets a broad range of urban challenges affecting both residents and tourists. Governor Chadchart identified recurring issues such as illegal cannabis sales, drug trafficking, homelessness, unauthorised street vending and unlicensed taxis. Others were loud noise from tuk-tuks, parking violations, poor street lighting, limited CCTV coverage, broken sidewalks and unsightly overhead communication cables. "These are not isolated issues -- they reflect on the city's image and affect everyday life. If we can resolve them here, Sukhumvit can serve as a blueprint for the rest of Bangkok," he said. Deputy Interior Minister Theerarat said the move follows Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai's instructions on ensuring residents' safety and wellbeing and restoring tourist confidence. The BMA is working with at least eight core agencies, including the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA), the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and the Department of Land Transport (DLT), on the scheme. "The ultimate goal is to make Bangkok a safe, liveable city, free from illegal activities, where residents feel secure and tourists can enjoy their stay with peace of mind," Ms Theerarat said.
Bangkok Post
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Andaman provinces to ramp up disaster planning
The governors of six provinces on the Andaman Sea coast have been ordered to boost their preparations for natural disasters, with Deputy Interior Minister Theerarat Samrejvanich saying that any inadequacies in their plans will not be tolerated. Ms Theerarat issued the directive after meeting the governors and officials from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), the Department of Mineral Resources and the Meteorological Department in Bangkok to discuss earthquake and tsunami preparedness for the Andaman coastal region. She said the government has taken note of public concerns about the possibility of another tsunami, after recent reports about a series of earthquakes in the Indian and Pacific oceans. To ensure public safety, she said provinces located on the Andaman coast must allocate enough budget, human resources and equipment to help deal with the aftermath of a disaster. Evacuation routes and directions to shelters must also be regularly updated to reflect newer developments and clearly signposted, she said, before adding disaster preparedness drills must be routinely organised to help ensure local residents are ready when a disaster strikes. DDPM was also instructed to ensure its earthquake alert system is operational 24 hours a day, and that the system receives accurate information from seismographs in earthquake-prone areas. "Equipment deficiencies must not be used as an excuse to explain disaster alert failures," she said. The Public Relations Department, meanwhile, was instructed to ensure that the public gets the correct information in emergencies, which Ms Theerarat said is key to preventing panic, especially in disaster-prone areas. When asked about the recent earthquakes detected in waters off the coast of Thailand, Sumet Saithong, the deputy director of the Department of Mineral Resources, said the latest tremors were different from the one in 2004. "These quakes were minor and didn't displace much seawater," he said. DDPM director-general, Phasakorn Boonyalak, said overland quakes with a magnitude of 2.5 and over will trigger the department's alert system. Undersea quakes, meanwhile, will be picked up by the system if they have a magnitude of 5.0 or more. The nation's cell broadcast warning system will send out alerts for overland quakes measuring M4 and over, and M6 and over for submarine quakes, he noted.
