Army chief supervises flood responses in Sakon Nakhon

BANGKOK, July 31 (TNA) -- Army commander-in-chief Chalermchai Sitthisad visited Sakon Nakhon province to supervise flood reliefs for local people as he deployed 2,300 soldiers to help flood victims in the Northeast. Deputy army spokesperson Col Sirichan Ngathong said that Gen Chalermchai would visit Sakon Nakhon's provincial seat to give moral support to flood victims and army soldiers deployed for flood relief operations. Gen Chalermchai ordered the 2nd and the 3rd Army Region Commands to help flood victims and apply their equipment to end flooding as soon as possible, the deputy spokesperson said. Among the 26 companies of altogether 2,300 soldiers were eight rapid movement teams of doctors, five mobile kitchen teams, and soldiers operating 108 trucks, 39 boats, backhoes and transport helicopters. The forces were helping flood victims in many northeastern provinces including Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Kalasin, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, Yasothon, and Mukdahan. Assistance included the installation of bailey bridges to resume transport between Sakon Nakhon and Udon Thani provinces. “Waterways may overflow at many locations in the Northeast… Soldiers were put on standby to respond to such situations possibly especially in Nakhon Phanom, Roi Et, Kalasin, Ubon Ratchathani and Yasothon. Evacuation is possible when it is necessary,” Col Sirichan said. (TNA)