Phumtham and Maris Head Out to Si Sa Ket for Damage Evaluation and Aid Assessment
In the aftermath of the Thai–Cambodian border clashes on July 24, Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa are set to visit Si Sa Ket on August 9. The visit aims to bolster the ongoing damage assessment and relief efforts in the region.
As the Interior Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai has taken a proactive approach, instructing military officials to carry out their duties with strict adherence to protocol. The visit will be coordinated with local authorities to ensure preparedness and manageability, as the government focuses on restoring normalcy post-conflict.
Comprehensive inspections have been conducted by the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning (DPT) across seven affected provinces, including Si Sa Ket. Initial findings indicate damage to 201 houses, seven government facilities, private facilities, livestock losses, and damage to public roads. Relief efforts have been centred on enabling displaced residents to return and restoring damaged infrastructure promptly.
Over 17,000 people were evacuated from Sisaket province during the clashes, with shelters established across the area. Efforts are ongoing to support their safe return. The relief operations have also focused on specific infrastructure damage, including health facilities and government buildings, with incidents such as injuries to soldiers in Si Sa Ket reported.
The military and government continue to monitor the security situation closely while facilitating dialogue and relief coordination. If issues or areas unprepared are found, the visit will focus on manageable areas instead. The visit will also involve inspecting various affected sites in Si Sa Ket.
In summary, the current situation in Si Sa Ket involves ongoing, thorough damage assessments and swift relief operations led by the government with the aim of restoring normalcy post-conflict, following direct oversight and orders from the Acting Prime Minister and Foreign Minister during their August 9 visit.
[1] Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning (DPT) [2] Local authorities [3] Military and government [4] Specific incidents such as injuries to soldiers in Si Sa Ket [5] Volunteer engineers from the private sector
The Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning (DPT) is carrying out extensive inspections in the seven affected provinces, including Si Sa Ket, to assess the extent of the damage. Local authorities are coordinating with the military and government to ensure that relief operations are manageable and prepared. Specific incidents such as injuries to soldiers in Si Sa Ket are being closely monitored. Volunteer engineers from the private sector may be enlisted to aid in the restoration of damaged infrastructure. The acting prime minister and foreign minister, during their August 9 visit, will be inspecting various affected sites in Si Sa Ket, focusing on areas where the relief efforts can be efficiently managed.