Dr Sriyada, serving as a Pheu Thai party list MP, hence acting as a Member of Parliament, arrived with several Pheu Thai members to inspect the landslide site this morning.
She was welcomed by Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat, who provided an in-depth report on the catastrophic events that have unfolded over the past few days.
The disaster began with relentless rainfall from late last Thursday night (Aug 22) through to last Friday morning. The deluge saw a total of 200 millimetres of rain fall on the area, Governor Sophon explained, said an official report of Dr Sriyada’s visit.
By 5am last Friday, a massive mudslide occurred, burying homes and claiming the lives of 13 people ‒ eight women and five men, including a Russian couple, Thai nationals and Myanmar workers.
In total, 817 people from 260 households in three sub-districts and nine villages were affected, with 19 other people injured, said the report today.
Governor Sophon noted that the landslide struck a steep area where homes, particularly those of Myanmar workers, were not securely constructed.
Provincial officials are now urgently working to assist both Thai and foreign victims. Coordination with the consulates of the deceased foreign nationals is underway, and arrangements are being made to cremate the bodies of seven Myanmar workers in Phuket before transporting the remains back to their home country, he said.
Governor Sophon expressed grave concern over the risk of further landslides, revealing that Phuket’s soil structure is vulnerable to such disasters. Aerial surveys have identified fault lines across all three districts, making the region particularly susceptible during heavy rains.
In response, Phuket authorities have held preliminary meetings to discuss long-term preventive measures, including the planting of ground cover plants like banyan trees and giant leucaena. The trees, known for their rapid growth and reproduction, will be planted in target areas using seeds provided by the Royal Forest Department, which will be scattered by helicopter. Additionally, plans are in place to construct water-retarding weirs to slow down water flow during the rainy season, Governor Sophon explained.
To restore the affected areas, local administrative organisations are mobilising water spray trucks daily to clean roads and mud-covered regions. Meanwhile, Karon Municipality has formed a working group to provide ongoing assistance to those impacted by the disaster.
Following the briefing, Dr Sriyada and her team visited the Flood Relief Centre at Wat Kittisangkaram (Wat Kata) to offer support and encouragement to the victims injured and left homeless by the disaster.
Representing the Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Dr Sriyada conveyed the PM’s concern and extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the tragic landslide, said an official report of the visit.
During her visit to the Flood Relief Centre, Dr Sriyada met with volunteers, including those working in the ‘royal kitchen’, volunteer chefs and administrative officers, who have been assisting the victims. She expressed her gratitude for their dedication and encouraged them in their ongoing efforts.
Dr Sriyada and her team met with victims of the disaster. She provided financial assistance to five families, offering them some relief during this difficult time, said the official report, without disclosing the amounts presented.
MP Sriyada emphasised the importance of community support and solidarity as the region works to recover from the disaster, the report added.
After inspecting the landslide site with Karon Mayor Jadet Wichrasorn, Dr Sriyada explained her visit was not only to provide immediate assistance but also to gather firsthand information about the hardships faced by the affected residents.
She intends to compile a comprehensive report, complete with images and testimonies, to present to the Prime Minister. This report will be instrumental in shaping future policies and measures aimed at providing effective and lasting relief to those impacted by the disaster, Dr Sriyada said.
ESTRANGED ENVOY
Other than being a daughter-in-law to the Shinawatra family, the selection of Dr Sriyada to serve as the PM’s envoy to Phuket in the wake of the landslide disaster appeared to be an odd choice.
Dr Sriyada has a long connection with Phuket, and worked as a dentist at MIssion Hospital Phuket from 1991-93, before she launched her career in politics.
In 2004, still under her original name ‘Yada Palimaphan’, Dr Sriyada served as the Thai Rak Thai “representative to Phuket”, even when Thai Rak Thai failed to win any seats in Phuket, marking the start of a series of career advancements through her association with Thaksin-based political parties.
Dr Sriyada has served in many official positions, mostly working with women’s and worker’s rights and the disabled. She has served as Assistant and/or Secretary to the Minister at various ministries throughout her political career, depending on the political party in power at the time.
Regardless, Dr Sriyada in 2013 was awarded ‘The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand, Second Class, Knight Grand Cordon of the Crown of Thailand (KGE). This year she was bestowed ‘The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant’, Second Class.
However, Dr Sriyada has never been elected to office. She became an MP on Oct 10 last year as a party list MP, declaring only B20.4 million in assets.
During her time contesting political seats in Phuket, she never won a seat.
In the “landslide” election in 2001 that saw Thaksin installed for his first term as prime minister, Thai Rak Thai failed to win any seats in all of Southern Thailand, including Phuket.
In the 2005 general election, Thai Rak Thai improved on that performance by winning one seat in Southern Thailand, but not in Phuket.
In the disputed 2006 general election, Thai Rak Thai still failed to win a seat in Phuket, despite major opposition parties not even contesting the election as a boycott.
Pheu Thai, today’s modern form of a Shinawatra administration, failed to even field a candidate in the national election in May last year. All three MP seats for Phuket were won by the then-called Move Forward Party. Move Forward won all three seats by strong margins.