Thailand provides financial support for quake-hit Indonesia

BANGKOK, August 30 (TNA) - The Thai government has given a financial support of 3 million baht to Indonesia, after strong earthquakes hit the neighboring country in the ASEAN Community (AC) recently, causing acute damages and hundreds of casualties. Deputy Government Spokesman Lieutenant General Werachon Sukondhapatipak told journalists that Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha presented the financial support to Indonesian Ambassador to Thailand H.E. Mr. Ahmad Rusdi at a ceremony held at Bangkok's Government House on August 29. The deputy spokesman stated that the Thai premier also expressed his condolences, on behalf of the Thai government and people, to the Indonesian government and people for damages and a number of casualties caused by the recent earthquakes. The deputy spokesman quoted the Thai prime minister as offering that the Thai government is ready to provide additional assistance to Indonesia, if requested through the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The deputy spokesman said the Thai leader also thanked the Indonesian government for facilitating and providing assistance to Thai tourists who were affected by the recent natural disaster in Indonesia's Lombok Island and took the opportunity to extend his morale support for Indonesian President Joko Widodo towards the quick end of consequent problems and rehabilitation of the quake-hit areas. According to the deputy spokesman, the Indonesian top envoy, in turn, thanked the Thai government and people for the friendly support for his country. A strong earthquake of 6.4 magnitude hit the Indonesian resort Lombok Island, near Bali, on July 29, killing at least 16 people and injuring more than 300. Another powerful earthquake of 6.9 magnitude struck the same area on August 5, killing at least 98 victims and injuring more than 230 others. About 800 hikers who were at the top of nearby Mount Rinjani and fell into the volcano's mouth due to the collapse of a crater ledge were also affected, including over 200 Thai tourists, while a number of other people were displaced as their houses and buildings were damaged together with several other stricken structures. Based on updated reports, another earthquake of 6.2 magnitude hit South Of Java, Indonesia on August 28, but there were no immediate reports of damages or casualties from the latest tremor in the world's largest archipelagic country. (TNA)