Criticism of Anutin: Government fails in flood disaster in Hat Yai!

Criticism of Anutin: Government fails in flood disaster in Hat Yai!

The ongoing floods in Hat Yai, Songkhla are causing distress not only to the region but also to the entire Thai government. In the past five days, the heavy rain has affected over 240,000 people and now even 5 deaths have been recorded in different districts. 8,750 affected people are currently staying in emergency accommodation, while another 77,000 are waiting for urgently needed help. Loud BBC Thai The floods hit the city hard and citizens have been demanding support for days.

The government under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is facing a growing wave of criticism. Despite nearly 30 years of political experience, Anutin was unable to effectively manage the disaster. On November 25th, he declared a state of emergency in Songkhla and commissioned the security forces to coordinate relief efforts. However, critics criticize the inefficient structure and lack of coordination between the various authorities. Experts like Dr. Sirinun Suwanmolee, point out the difficulties encountered in the distribution of aid and infrastructure, particularly in the area of ​​electricity, which is essential for communications.

Political responsibility and measures

Anutin, who has been under pressure in the past while fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, is now showing signs of stress and uncertainty in press conferences. In Hat Yai, he visited the situation several times, but without initiating adequate evacuation measures. The government's assessment of the severity of the floods is considered catastrophically incorrect, revealing the administration's shortcomings. While weather forecasts have become more accurate over the past 20-30 years, the government's response has remained inadequate. This raises questions about the responsibility of Anutin and his cabinet, especially as the population in Hat Yai reacts with dissatisfaction to both political camps, which are perceived as ineffective. The emergency group convened during the crisis is supposed to communicate information to the public, but suffers from overlaps in authority structure, leading to confusion.

In addition to criticism of the crisis management, the government has launched the “Khon La Khreung Plus” program, which is intended to help small businesses and reduce citizens' spending. However, this program is about to expire and it is feared that the 200 baht per day associated with it will not be enough to sustainably support the affected households.

Comprehensive impact of the crisis

Overall, the flooding is not just a local problem. According to current reports, 369,000 people in 19 provinces have been affected and 22 people have lost their lives, while over 109,000 households are struggling to cope with the devastating consequences. The state government has announced financial assistance of 9,000 baht per household to support people during these difficult times. But the long-term solutions, such as strengthened infrastructure and effective response measures, appear more urgent than ever. Thailand Tip notes that such disasters are exacerbated by climate change and inadequate planning.

Whether the Thai government can meet the challenge and learn the necessary lessons from the current situation is still up for debate. The citizens of Hat Yai and other affected regions depend on support and on their voice being heard in politics.