HONOLULU - The US army will send a team next week to help mitigate the effects of Thailand's worst floods in half a century, according to a senior officer at the US Pacific Command.
As the flood situation in Thailand remained intact, the US defence authorities were finalizing their next mission to support the flood relief operations.
"This time it will be the US army helping Thailand. PACCOM is also putting a tem on stand-by in case Thailand side needs further support," a lieutenant colonel at the Hawaii-based command centre said.
When Thai flood started, the US Pacific Command ordered the USS George Washington carrier strike group, which was on a port visit to Singapore, to get underway earlier than scheduled and pre-position nearer to Thailand in case assistance was required.
The command also sent a 10-Marine humanitarian assistance survey team from Okinawa to assess the flood situation.
After meeting with Thai authorities, the team determined that military assistance from the US was not needed as the Thai government and military had the matter in hand.
The destroyer USS Mustin also made an unscheduled visit to Laem Chabang port for community service and military to military engagements last month.
On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul paid a courtesy call to the US Pacific Commander Admiral Robert F. Willard, in Hawaii, thanking him for the cash and other assistance.
Mr Surapong, however, said he was not told about the US army's plan to send a team.
Mr Surapong told reporters that he would take the opportunity during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) forum starting on Friday in Hawaii to brief the other 20 Apec members on the flood situation, and the relief and remedial measures both short and long term the government has been taking to resolve the crisis.
Mr Surapong said he would thank the Apec members who have been supporting Thailand in dealing with the flood and hopefully gain their confidence in the country's resilience.
He welcomed Apec's increased cooperation on disaster management.
Today, the minister is to speak about domestic issues, including the flooding, at the Apec Business Symposium organised by the East West Centre.
Mr Surapong also said Thailand would host the second Asia Pacific Water Summit in Bangkok on Feb 5 and 6. Japan hosted the first Water Summit in 2007.
The minister would hold bilateral meetings with Chile, Mexico, the Philippines, Japan, New Zealand, and Canada during Apec meetings here.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra canceled her plan to attend the Apec Summit on Sunday because of the severity of the flooding.
Mr Surapong said Ms Yingluck would still attend the 19th Asean Summit in Bali on next week.
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