PM visits flood-hit South

TRANG, Dec 8 (TNA) - Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha is taking a field trip to Trang and Nakhon Si Thammarat to follow up the flood situation and boost morale of flood victims. The prime minister was accompanied by deputy prime minister Gen Chatchai Sarikulya, Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paochinda and Agriculture Minister Wiwat Salyakamthorn. Upon his arrival in Trang, he went to observe the water drainage system in the Trang River at the Klong Chang bridge in Bang Rak sub-district in the provincial seat. Gen Prayut instructed irrigation officials to speed up the project to solve flooding there. Bangrak sub-district has been hard-hit by flood since Nov 28. Some areas were under four metres of water before the water gradually receded. Gen Prayut later went to Princess Chulabhorn’s College in Trang to be briefed about the flood situation by the provincial governor. Due to continued downpour in Trang and heavy runoff from Bantad mountain range that flows into Trang River, eight districts of Trang province have been hit with flash flood, with 19,076 households and 337,592 rai of agricultural areas having been affected. He then takes a boat ride to hand over relief bags to flood-affected victims in the provincial seat. The prime minister will meet with flood-affected residents and hand over relief supplies in Kantang district and Ratsada district and Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Thung Song district. He is scheduled to return to Bangkok at 5 pm. (TNA)