The government will downsize the Flood Relief Operations Command from today as the worst of the flood crisis is now over, said spokesman Thongthong Chandrangsu.
The decision was taken yesterday after Froc director Pracha Promnok met the governors of seven provinces that are still flooded and Bangkok's city clerk.
He said that although water drainage and restoring the livelihoods of those affected are now the top priorities, the Froc's command structure will remain unchanged.
The Froc's headquarters will remain at the Energy Ministry but all functions are to be consolidated in different offices. The meeting did not cover how long the Froc would continue.
Outside Bangkok, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Chachoengsao, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, and Samut Sakhon provinces are still under water.
There should be a clear improvement of the flood situation in those areas in 10-15 days, Mr Thongthong said.
He added the Froc would also focus on treating fetid water with effective microorganism balls, eliminating mosquitoes, providing health care, and removing rubbish and abandoned flood-damaged goods.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit said the Froc has tried to speed up water drainage in Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi and Nakhon Pathom.
Pathum Thani will be dry by Dec 15, Nonthaburi by Dec 16, and Nakhon Pathom by Dec 20. The government is also working on getting cash assistance to flood victims, said Mr Yongyuth.
Anond Snidvongs, the Froc's water management adviser, said Bangkok still has around 8 billion cubic metres of floodwater but no more is expected.
He added there was around 8 billion cu/m of floodwater still in some central provinces north of Bangkok. Half of the floodwater must be stored for farming, while the other half can disperse naturally without affecting the city.
In Bangkok and nearby provinces, the flooded area has shrunk from 2.7 million rai on Nov 12 to 1 million rai, mostly paddy fields and grassland in western districts of Bangkok.
There is only a small volume of floodwater on the eastern side of Bangkok as it drained out faster than expected through the Bang Pakong River.
Mr Anond said the strategic committee on national water resources management must now propose new facilities for both the western and eastern sides of Bangkok.
He expressed concern that many people would try to build their own floodwalls and barriers.
The strategic committee is expected to set out criteria and regulations to ensure all floodwalls and land elevations are up to standard.
The criteria will be in line with the Environment Act, while the committee will monitor the erection of floodwalls and land elevation through satellite photos, said Mr Anond.
Meanwhile, residents of Thatcha Villa on Phaholyothin 73, where floodwater has not yet subsided, threatened yesterday to block off Vibhavadi Rangsit Road if they do not receive help soon.
A group of 20 representatives from the housing estate submitted a petition to the Froc assistant secretary Pol Maj Gen Surasit Sangkapong.
The villagers said they had been under water for 45 days and demanded the Froc swiftly drain the water and compensate them.
Pol Maj Gen Surasit said he had surveyed the area and had notified the Froc's Water Draining Committee. He promised they would proceed with the draining as soon as possible.
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