Officers, crew and civilians begin loading
supplies headed for the flood stricken south.
Patcharapol Panrak
Royal Thai Navy ships and aircraft based in Sattahip
delivered manpower and relief supplies from the Pattaya area to victims
of flooding in Southern Thailand.
The HTMS Chakri Naruebet and HTMS Surin as well as
four Seahawk helicopters were dispatched to Songkla Province Nov. 2,
laden with troops to aid flooding victims, cook meals and hand out
supplies donated by business in the Eastern Seaboard.
The Chakri Naruebet will serve as a floating kitchen
and hospital, with 400 sailors supplying two meals a day and delivering
2,000 bags of rations provided by the Princess Pa Foundation and the
Royal Household.
HRH Princess Soamsawalee, who created the Princess Pa
group to provide flooding relief supplies every year, had her top
secretary, Somthawin Yangyoo, oversee the delivery of the aid bags
packed by volunteers and the Thai Red Cross Nov. 2.
Dried goods and rice were also donated by Nong Nooch
Tropical Garden, Big C in South Pattaya, Thai Namthip Co., the Sattahip
electrical utility, Royal Thai Fleet, and TV Channels 3 and 9.
Rear Adm. Saknarin Charoensuk, head of the relief
convoy, said businesses and the public quickly responded to calls for
help and that even though only a short amount of time elapsed since the
media announcement, a large amount of aid donated was donated.
The relief effort was expected to last at least five
days, with supplies being carried into water-soaked areas by air and
amphibious vehicles.
Those interested in donating cash and supplies should
contact the navy Civil Affairs bureau at 02-475-4943.
