Permanent Secretary of Labour M.L. Puntrik as the president of the Ladies Association, revealed information by the Labour Protection Division from the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare as of 9 January 2017. The information showed business impacts from the flooding in the 10 Southern provinces. It showed Nakhon Ratchasima with the highest number of affected business at 4,419 locations with 52,319 staff, resulting in the whole province announcing business closure. This was followed by Chumporn with 2,678 affected businesses totaling 31,597 staff. From assessment, the water levels are forecasted to increase.
Chumporn was followed by Songkhla with 864 affected businesses comprising 28,566 staff; surveys shows businesses to be operating as normal with salaries also paid as normal. Surat Thani was next with 519 affected businesses totaling 7,140 people and then Krabi with 46 affected businesses and 339 staff, having already returned to normal operations. In Narathiwas, the flooding impacted 30 businesses with 767 people, and another 16 business and 1,333 staff in Phatthalung. In Trang, 12 business locations and 100 staff were affected by the flooding, with Pattani having only 2 business affected with 1,295 people. Lastly, Ranong had 2,244 organizations affected totaling 20,604 people but reports are yet to show as most of the organizations are located in Muaeng district with only minimal levels of flooding, allowing businesses to operate as usual. The 10 provinces combined bring the total to 36,981 businesses and 539,613 people, with 8,586 businesses and 123,456 people being affected.
Through initial assistance measures provided on 8-9 January 2017, the Regional Institute of Skills Development has helped flood victims in many provinces, such as distributing rice, eggs and sauces to staff distributing food to flood victims in 8 districts in Nakhon Ratchasima, in collaboration with the Khun Talay Foundation. The Nakhon Ratchasima Skills Development Center 22 on the other hand has provided space for car parking, whereas the Chaoud Local Administration Office will offer motorbike oil tank changes after the flooding has subsided. Those in need can request assistance at all provincial labour offices.
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Spokesperson and Publication Sub-Division /
Bureau of Public Relations /
Chaninthorn Phettab – News /
Sompob Silbut – Photos /
11 January 2017
