BANGKOK, 24 September 2012 – Amidst the current flooding, Deputy Minister of Public Health Dr. Surawit Khonsomboon has revealed the danger of being intoxicated while staying in the water, saying the act can lead to death from drowning.
According to Dr. Surawit, alcohol consumption results in the expansion of blood vessels, causing the body to lose heat and the body temperature to drop. The occurrence, he explained, will lead to leg cramps, or worse, a body shutdown.
Therefore, the Deputy Minister encouraged all consumers of alcoholic beverages in flood-affected areas to refrain from drinking near waterways as they would not be able to help themselves and could drown if they fell into the water.
Regarding the flood disaster, medical units have been dispatched to help flood victims in Chachoengsao and Nakhon Nayok provinces, where the runoff is expected to arrive in a few days. In Prachin Buri, the emergency unit has already relocated 30 people with chronic diseases from their heavily-flooded homes in Kabin Buri district to the hospital.
Three people, one soldier and two children, were rescued from a strong torrent using ropes in Sa Kaeo province. People are encouraged to call the emergency line 1669 to get help when it is needed.
