Thailand's 2nd batch of relief items reaches quake-hit Nepal

BANGKOK, April 30 (TNA) - Thailand's second batch of relief items has already reached quake-ravaged Nepal after an adjournment due to an air traffic problem at Kathmandu's airport. Royal Thai Air force Spokesman Air Chief Marshal Monthol Satchukorn told journalists that two military C-130 aircraft finally landed in Kathmandu, Nepal's capital, on late Wednesday night, after congestion at Kathmandu's airport had delayed their arrivals for several hours. The spokesman said the two Thai military planes delivered necessities, tents, field chairs, drinking water, canned food, medicine, medical supplies, blankets, water filters and other supplies, weighing altogether 16 tons, to assist quake victims in Nepal. According to the spokesman, the two aircraft were ready to carry Thai nationals from the Thai Embassy in Kathmandu back home in their return trips. Meanwhile, about 20 Thai people were under care of the Thai Embassy in the Nepalese capital. Thai Ambassador to Nepal Vutti Vuttisant told TNA that some Thai people had left the embassy to examine their residences and properties and small groups of Thai tourists who had gone to Pokhara Town for climbing and other Thai backpackers who had visited other towns had already arrived in Kathmandu and reported to the embassy. The ambassador acknowledged that Thai Airways International (THAI), the national flag carrier, was supplying food and drinking water to the Thai Embassy and, thus, relieving a shortage. The ambassador revealed that the Thai Embassy has reserved clean water for Thai people and its staff because tap water in Nepal becomes unclean. The top envoy noted that the Thai Embassy now needs diesel for its vehicles and power generators because there are blackouts in Nepal and there may be other unexpected incidents although many local gas stations have reopened. (TNA)