Phuket teleconference reviews disaster plan for southern provinces

Royal Volunteer Command Center Region 4 held a teleconference yesterday with representatives from 14 southern provinces to review the 2015 National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Plan.

The meeting, chaired by Major General Anusorn Ourai, Deputy Commander of Army Area 4 and Deputy Director of the Royal Volunteer Command Center Region 4, aimed to improve coordination and ensure systematic disaster relief efforts.

Officials from each province, including key figures in Phuket, attended the teleconference from the Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office in Phuket Town.

Updates on the regional disaster situation were presented during the session, accompanied by a review of disaster prevention strategies and coordination between military units and provincial disaster centres.

Maj. Gen. Anusorn stressed the importance of adhering to the established 2015 National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Plan. He urged participants to ensure that disaster relief efforts remain well-organised and efficient.

“Governors act as incident commanders using the Single Command system during disasters. They are responsible for coordinating volunteer services to ensure effective assistance.”

Anusorn called for close collaboration between all units and the provincial governors. Volunteers are encouraged to wear uniforms to demonstrate solidarity.

Anusorn also provided guidelines for conducting press conferences to keep the public informed during disasters. He underscored the need for clear communication with the media to maintain public awareness of ongoing relief efforts.

The deputy commander reminded volunteers of three crucial points: assessing the true needs of disaster-affected areas, seeking assistance from the central command centre if a province is overwhelmed, and making verbal requests for royal kitchens, mobile food preparation units operated by Royal Volunteers, followed by formal written requests, reported Phuket News.

In related news, Thailand’s Cabinet has approved a request from the Ministry of Interior to allocate 3.04 billion baht (US$91 million) from the central budget to assist flood victims across the country. This decision, taken at the new Cabinet’s first weekly meeting, will provide financial relief to approximately 338,391 households affected by flooding since May, according to ministry spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul.