FTI:Flooding in Thai South temporarily affects industrial sector

BANGKOK, January 9 (TNA) - The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) says that the current flooding situation in the country's southern region should temporarily affect the local industrial sector. FTI Chairman Jen Namchaisiri told journalists on Monday that FTI is gathering information from members in the flood-affected Thai South to evaluate the situation and will send a team to Narathiwat Province in the Far South on January 11 to follow up the situation and to listen to local flood victims on assistance they need. The FTI chief stressed that southern business operators appear to be only temporarily affected by the current flooding situation, as most flood-damages are local roads that can be repaired after the situation returns to normal and will even help boost local economy through growing businesses of construction materials. Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary for Public Health Dr. Sophon Mekthon told reporters that he has ordered the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to deliver about 140,000 sets of basic medicine, 1,000 kilogrammes of alum, 950 pairs of plastic boots and 50 sets of life jackets to flood victims in 11 southern Thai provinces. Besides, over 100 mobile medical teams have been deployed to provide treatment to about 8,500 people, most of whom are suffering from accidents, cut wounds, animal attacks and drowning. The senior health official also instructed health officials at local hospitals to give special care to vulnerable patients with chronic diseases, physical disabilities, children and pregnant women, acknowledging that there has been no report on communicable diseases or any outbreak of diseases in flooded areas so far. Despite being opened to serve the public, flood levels at six hospitals, 16 district hospitals and one public health offices in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province alone have been closely monitored. (TNA)