CHON BURI, 17 September 2015 – The Ministry of the Interior has imposed flood emergency regulations in the beach resort town of Pattaya in Chon Buri province as the area has been lashed by continuous rains.
Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paochinda held a press conference on Thursday to declare Pattaya Municipality a flood disaster area. He explained that the announcement is intended to allow for the disbursement of an aid budget and to mobilize relief efforts for the city. The minister said the relevant authorities have already been dispatched to the troubled area to help residents and he expected the situation to return to normal in the near term.
The flooding is a consequence of a low-pressure system, which was formerly Tropical Depression Vamco. The system brought heavy rains to the lower part of the Northeast, the Central Plains and the East of Thailand. Floods were reported in eight districts of five provinces, namely Tak, Chanthaburi, Si Sa Ket, Surin and Chon Buri.
Gen Anupong stated, nonetheless, that normal conditions have been restored in all areas except Chon Buri, particularly Pattaya. He encouraged any flood victims in need of assistance to contact the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation on the hotline number 1784 at any time.
