Speaking after meeting with local agencies on the flood situation, Anutin outlined a raft of measures aimed at restoring livelihoods in Hat Yai and other affected areas in the South.
They include a one-year suspension of principal and interest payments for borrowers holding loans with commercial or state-owned banks, up to B1 million per borrower, reports the Bangkok Post.
Housing repair loans will be offered with interest-free B100,000 loans for one year, provided by state-owned banks, with a three-year loan term.
As for motor insurance claims, insurers will expedite compensation payments in accordance with policy conditions, streamline procedures, and facilitate claims for the public.
At the same time, he said that the Social Security Office will provide “maximum compensation in all categories” to insured persons.
Families of those who died in this disaster will receive B2mn per case in areas under a declared state of emergency, Anutin said.
He said the government will introduce special assistance and rehabilitation measures for SMEs as quickly as possible.
As for fiscal and economic stimulus measures, the government will support tax measures and organise economic stimulus activities in Hat Yai and other affected areas to restore confidence and attract visitors and tourists to spend on the local economy.
Anutin said that the government will expedite urban recovery and rehabilitation efforts, providing full support and facilitation so that residents of Hat Yai and all affected communities can return to normal life as soon as possible.
Anutin said the government is also accelerating flood-relief efforts in Hat Yai, deploying personnel, reopening roads and coordinating agencies to swiftly restore normalcy.
“Today, we shift our focus to the rehabilitation phase,” he said, as water levels have been steadily receding and weather forecasts show a reduction in rain in the time to come.
The prime minister emphasised the importance of beginning the next steps of recovery, starting with returning residents to their homes as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, the government’s Emergency Flood Response Operations Centre confirmed yesterday that the severe flooding across the southern areas of the country has so far claimed 145 lives.
Government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkia said that the Ministry of Public Health had confirmed 110 fatalities in Songkhla, 9 in Nakhon Si Thammarat, 4 in Phatthalung, 2 in Trang, 5 in Satun, 6 in Pattani, 5 in Yala and 4 in Narathiwat.
All fatalities will be classified as flood-related to avoid confusion. Official figures will be consolidated daily, in coordination with police, forensic units and health authorities, Mr Siripong said.