Finance Ministry launches truck caravan to help flood victims

NONTHABURI, Aug 9 (TNA) – The Commerce Ministry on Wednesday launched a truck caravan, carrying relief supplies for flood victims in the Northeast. The truck caravan is travelling to five northeastern provinces of Sakon Nakhon, Roi Et, Maha Sarakham, Kalasin and Nakhon Panom. More assistance will later extend to other provinces. Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn said her ministry would apply post-flood aid measures such as organizing the Blue Flag campaign to offer consumers goods at lower prices than in the market at ten locations in five districts to help flood victims cut the cost of living. She also assigned the Internal Trade Department to work with manufacturers and major retailers to distribute consumer goods to meet the need of local residents. Commerce officials will donate their cloths, bags, accessories and home decorations for selling at the ministry’s market between Aug 15-17. All proceeds will go to help flood victim. Regarding flood’s impact on crop plantation, she said the ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives are conducting survey on the flood damage. After the floods recede, rice cultivation will start again to replace the produce, damaged by the flood. She said she believed there will be no impact on Thai rice export this year. (TNA)