Thai government, military assisting southern flood victims

BANGKOK, January 4 (TNA) - Thai Defence Minister General Yuthasak Sasiprapa confirmed on Wednesday that not only the government, but also the Royal Thai Armed Forces under his ministry will continue fully assisting flood victims in southern Thailand with no bias. General Yuthasak said that the Thai military has been working to provide civilian assistance to the southern people affected by storms, floods and landslides since January 2, covering evacuation and transportation services, and if needed, more troops can be deployed in all affected areas. General Yuthasak cited signs of the improving situation in at least 27 southern areas previously hit by a combination of storms floods and landslides due to receding floodwater, acknowledging, however, that Chumphon has been hardest hit by current inundations in the Thai South. According to the defence minister, engineering and development military units have been deployed in areas hit by landslides, where roads have been cut off, and will immediately support rehabilitation in the areas once the floods recede. The defence minister affirmed that the Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport was scheduled to reopen on Wednesday, after having temporarily suspended all its aviation services for hours due to bad weather conditions with low visibility. (TNA)