Caretaker PM discusses disaster relief in Thai Northeast

ROI ET, THAILAND, December 21 (TNA) - Caretaker Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra chaired a meeting with governors of 20 northeastern Thai provinces and those of the remaining 56 provinces nationwide, as well as officials of 11 concerned ministries through a video conference system in the northeastern Roi Et Province on Thursday. At the meeting, Yingluck ordered the Ministry of Interior's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, provincial authorities and other concerned agencies to implement “Single Command” responses to disasters, plan relief missions which suit conditions of different areas and launch quick assistance for all disaster victims. The caretaker prime minister also instructed all provinces to develop their tourist service centers which are ready to help international tourists, especially those in passenger boat accidents. Besides, the caretaker prime minister advised relevant officials to allocate water properly to efficiently cope with drought and ensure sufficient water for local consumption, environmental conservation and agricultural and industrial purposes. To cope with the current cold weather, the caretaker prime minister ordered the establishment of an ad hoc command center to coordinate assistance for victims, including the sufficient distribution of winter clothes and blankets for them, especially for the elderly, people with disabilities (PWDs), unattended children and low-income earners. The caretaker prime minister also ordered proactive measures to prevent and handle forest fires and haze. Regarding measures to cope with road accidents during the upcoming New Year festival, the caretaker prime minister assigned concerned officials to integrate road safety campaigns focused on the reduction of risk factors which could cause the accidents. The caretaker premier also suggested that authorities concerned strictly enforce traffic rules, suppress drunk driving and the violation of speed limits and closely supervise motorcycles, passenger buses and pickup trucks carrying many passengers so that they will not violate rules, covering those on maximal loads of passengers. (TNA)