The Chamber of Commerce indicated that the floods caused damages of almost 30 billion baht, with Chiang Rai suffering the most damages at 6,412 million baht. It proposed that the government urgently develop a water management plan seriously. Mr. Sanan Angubolkul, Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand, revealed that the current flood situation has spread to 33 provinces in both the North and the Northeast, such as Chiang Rai, Phayao, Sukhothai, Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, Phichit, Sakon Nakhon, Phitsanulok, and Udon Thani. In addition, the mass of water flowing into the Central region, along with the tendency for more continuous rain, has caused many provinces to be at risk of flooding, especially the amount of rain that is expected to fall behind the dam in October, which will be a major factor that may cause more flooding. Therefore, all sectors still need to closely monitor the water situation. At the same time, the government should urgently prepare a clear preventive plan in advance, which will help reduce the impact and damage to the people and the economy. By the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce Closely monitored and estimated damage value of approximately 29,845 million baht or 0.17% of GDP (data as of 28 September 2024). The overall area affected by the flood is approximately 3 million rai, divided into agricultural areas of 1,166,992 rai and other areas of 1,826,812 rai. From the assessment, it was found that the agricultural sector was the most affected, with a total damage value of 24,553 million baht, accounting for approximately 82.3% of the total damage. The service sector was next with damage of 5,121 million baht, and the industrial sector was damaged approximately 171 million baht, which is considered a small proportion when compared to damage in other economic sectors because they were well prepared to deal with the flood situation. The three provinces affected and with the highest damage value are Chiang Rai with a tota l damage value of 6,412 million baht, followed by Phayao with 3,292 million baht, Sukhothai with 3,042 million baht, respectively. Mr. Wichai Asarasakorn, Vice Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, added that the problems of flooding and drought, which occur more frequently and are spreading more widely, also have a direct impact on the agricultural sector's production, which is an important part of driving the Thai economy. While the government has to spend a budget of more than 100 billion baht per year to alleviate the damage and provide assistance to the people in this area, the Chamber of Commerce therefore believes that Thailand should review and plan water management systematically. It has prepared proposals for both infrastructure and water management policies, as well as supportive proposals in 6 important areas: 1) Studying problems and obstacles in water management in the regions, surveying problems/obstacles and providing suggestions on water resource management to provincial chambers of com merce in each dimension, such as water management tools/equipment, management systems, maintenance and construction of water management infrastructure, to reflect comprehensive solutions to problems in the area; 2) Organizing activities to promote and publicize water databases as guidelines for planning and alleviating problems in water management (floods/droughts); organizing training activities on the use of applications or websites related to water databases, which are currently available, especially the 'National Water Database' or 'Thaiwater.net', for provincial chambers of commerce at the regional level to raise awareness and be able to apply water data; 3) Guidelines for the establishment of the government's War Room to communicate information about the water situation. The private sector supports the government's establishment of the War Room to communicate information about the water situation, especially in areas at risk of flooding, as well as forecasts and warnings to ensure that people receive accurate, clear, and consistent information. 4) Support measures to help flood victims. The private sector supports the issuance of financial measures to help flood victims from state-owned specialized financial institutions to alleviate the suffering of the people and allow entrepreneurs to continue their businesses. They may also consider expanding the implementation of appropriate insurance measures to provide relief and support business recovery. 5) Integration of operations between government agencies and related agencies using the joint river/river management approach, which has problems with drought and flooding that often occur in overlapping areas and economic areas. Therefore, political and diplomatic mechanisms should be used to integrate and solve problems together, including organizing the physical city, laying down water flow guidelines according to high and low levels to prevent flooding in economic areas, including creating joint drainage canals and water delivery canals. To solve the integ rated drainage problem in both the dry and rainy seasons, please also apply successful problem-solving methods in small areas, such as community water management outside irrigation areas, to larger and more available areas (Scale Up), along with the use of modern technology and tools, as well as continuous monitoring and evaluation, with local people participating. 6) Review and prioritize water management projects (Prioritization) The government sector reviews and prioritizes water management projects to be consistent with the current context and water situation, as well as plans for long-term water management (floods, droughts) to serve as a framework and guideline for budget allocation for disaster prevention, water storage preparation, and opening opportunities for the private sector to jointly invest with the government in developing water infrastructure, groundwater replenishment guidelines to manage water shortages, and water conservation guidelines to support sustainable consumption and commercial use. Mr. Athip Pichanon, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trade of Thailand and Chairman of the Trade Association Network Development Committee, said that trade associations under the Board of Trade of Thailand, such as the Real Estate, Design and Construction Trade Association, the Lifestyle and Design Products Trade Association, the Fisheries and Livestock Trade Association, the Food and Beverage Trade Association, the Pharmaceutical, Medical Supplies, Supplements, Cosmetics and Medical Equipment Trade Association, the Thai Pet Food Association, the Thai Paint Manufacturers Association, and the Thai Hotels Association, etc., have joined forces to raise funds, consumer goods, medicines, medical supplies, pet food, and equipment to repair damaged homes, totaling more than 5.7 million baht, to urgently deliver assistance to affected provinces. The Thai Chamber of Commerce has collaborated with retail and wholesale entrepreneurs to organize a campaign to reduce prices on consumer goods, electrical appliances, an d furniture in the past. Meanwhile, provincial chambers of commerce across the country have mobilized donations of money and essential items such as drinking water, rice, ready-to-eat food, and cleaning supplies, etc., and delivered them directly to affected provinces. Similarly, foreign chambers of commerce in Thailand have continuously provided disaster relief assistance through the Thai Chamber of Commerce. The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce has issued a measure to waive late tuition fees for current students affected by the floods. Those who wish to donate money to help flood victims can donate money through the account of 'Commerce Welfare Foundation', Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand, Kasikorn Bank, Sao Chingcha Branch (savings), account number 004-2-39457-2 (donations are tax deductible 1 time) or contact to donate at: Social Development Department, Thai Chamber of Commerce. Source: Thai News Agency
Menu