The entire national disaster prevention and mitigation plan will be overhauled and long-term measures put in place the solve the problem of flooding in the South, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Wednesday.
Gen Prayut was speaking after chairing a meeting of the national disaster prevention and mitigation committee and associated agencies.
He said the flooding in the South had eased off in some provinces, but remained a problem in others. All agencies involved were required to closely follow the weather forecasts.
Gen Prayut said it was agreed the entire national disaster prevention and mitigation plan needed an overhaul, to set down the responsibilities of the various agencies and ensure all of them perform their duties without going off on a tangent.
Under the proposed restructuring of disaster prevention and mitigation services, governors of all provinces would play an important role in solving problems at the local level.
Had there been adequate advance preparation, damage caused by natural disasters, particularly flash floods, would have been better mitigated, he added.
The prime minister said a disaster mitigation plan must include the following steps -- preparations; assistance for affected people; and rehabilitation.
"We can't control the volume of rain. But as for run-off from mountains, we need to rehabilitate our forests. We have done too much destruction to our natural resources."
Floodwalls were necessary at important locations such as hospitals, government offices and business areas, and canals must be built for effective water drainage.
The prime minister said what needed to be improved was city planning.
"King Rama X is concerned about these matters. He wants us to put into practice the various initiatives of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Many projects under the late King's initiatives are being carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, including the Royal Irrigation Department," he said.
Gen Prayut stressed that the national budget must be used carefully and to good value. Budget spending must be accountable and transparent.
