Phuket Vice Governor Teeraphong Chuaychoo yesterday (Dec 2) presided over the send-off ceremony for the latest contingent of the Phuket Volunteer Defense Corps (OrSor) in front of Phuket Provincial Hall. The deployment, led by Phuket Provincial Defense Officer Akara Suwatthikul, marked the third mission dispatched from the island to assist in flood relief operations.
The newest team of 24 volunteers joins 36 personnel already operating in Hat Yai, bringing the total number of OrSor personnel deployed from Phuket to 60. The group departed by bus provided free of charge by T.R. Bamboo Travel Co Ltd. On arrival, they will report to the Disaster Relief Operations Center to support efforts to restore flood-affected communities and remain in Hat Yai until conditions return to normal.
Further assistance has also been coordinated by local municipalities. On Nov 30, Rawai Mayor Thames Kraithat instructed the municipality’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department to send personnel and supplies to assist recovery operations in Hat Yai District.
Students and teachers from Phuket Technical College have also joined the relief push, setting up a ‘Fix It – Volunteer’ repair centre at the Sathon Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor) office in Na Thawi District, Songkhla. The team is repairing motorcycles, appliances and electrical equipment damaged in the floods free of charge.
Phuket’s Muslim community has likewise mobilised substantial support. At the Phuket Islamic Committee office yesterday, religious leaders and volunteers from more than 64 mosques gathered to pack over 1,000 relief bags containing dried food, drinking water and essential supplies. The bags will be delivered to Hat Yai tomorrow to ensure timely distribution to affected families.
Committee leaders said the initiative reflects the strong generosity and unity of Phuket’s Muslim community, which remains determined to provide support despite the province not being directly impacted by the floods.
Meanwhile, the Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation announced it will close donation intake from today (Dec 3), thanking the public, government agencies, private organisations and volunteers for their overwhelming support. In a message posted online, the foundation expressed gratitude to volunteers who worked late into the night packing and loading relief goods.
“This is the generosity of all Phuket residents in helping our brothers and sisters affected by the flooding in the South,” the foundation said, offering blessings of health, safety and prosperity to all who contributed.