Tuesday 8 November 2011

Military spearheads cleanup

The Defence Ministry will be one of the core agencies dealing with post-flood rehabilitation efforts.

Plans to restore flood-damaged properties and infrastructure will be made so when the flood subsides, each agency will know immediately what they have to do, Defence Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa said after meeting with the Royal Thai Armed Forces on Sunday.

He expected the plans to be finalised within three days and forwarded to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra for approval.

The premier has stressed the importance and resources of military personnel will be needed to handle flood problems.

Up to 60,000 members of the military are working with government officials in flooded areas. The armed forces will also help support flood relief operations by using their 3,000 vehicles and nearly 5,000 boats.

The source said the ministry may offer to cut up to 10% of its annual budget for the next fiscal year to help the government meet flood relief expenses.

The Defence Ministry budget amounts to about 200 billion baht; the next fiscal year starts on Oct 1.

However, army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said the army is ready reduce its funding to help flood victims, though this will affect its plans to repair and acquire new military equipment and armaments.

Meanwhile, Gen Prayuth has ordered military camps nationwide to produce and distribute EM (effective micro-organism) balls to treat polluted floodwater and teach people how to use them to solve water problems at home.

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