Anutin asserts the government is not delaying and is fully committed to mobilizing efforts to evacuate stranded citizens. He defends Thammanat, denying political motives after criticism over the lack of plans on the ground, and reveals plans to form a spokesperson team to provide daily updates on the situation, similar to the COVID-19 period.
25 Nov 2025 GMT+7 Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, gave an interview after the Cabinet meeting about the flood situation in the southern region, stating: Today, a state of emergency was declared in Songkhla province, and the Supreme Commander (Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces) was appointed as the situation director, responsible for integrating all assistance, issuing commands, approving measures, and protecting all personnel—everything is centralized.
Currently, a major concern is evacuating people from affected areas. Some locations are inaccessible for aid, making it difficult for residents to request help. Anutin said all agencies are already mobilized to assist citizens, distributing personnel to reach everyone. The Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Transport are en route or already on-site. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn arrived about an hour ago.
Regarding whether a map is needed to facilitate aid since some areas have power outages and cannot call for help, Anutin said responders are actively performing their duties. When asked if the Meteorological Department needs to warn the public about water levels, the Minister said they are currently managing water discharge and coordinating multiple tasks, including food and essential supplies, which are ready. The military has prepared various vehicles, planes, helicopters, boats, and trucks to assist people on-site.
Asked about previous delays, Anutin insisted there was no delay in operations. Work proceeded fully, with all efforts focused on mobilizing personnel and resources to prioritize saving lives and ensuring safety. Now that many problems are identified, efforts are accelerating to establish command centers for frontline and support operations, utilizing the Emergency Decree to oversee the situation.
. Regarding criticism from academics and locals that the government was slow to establish the command center, Anutin retorted: whoever says that, the government is not slow, and the workers are not slow. The government is providing full support, mobilizing all available resources including budget, manpower, and support from all government agencies, as well as cooperation from private organizations.
As for the crisis at hospitals, the Prime Minister said they are working together. Floods have damaged electrical systems, but backup generators from the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) are on standby, and PEA technicians have been deployed. Ensuring continuous power at medical facilities is critical, as moving ICU patients is difficult. Maintaining utilities reduces the need for patient transfers.
When asked if agencies have data for evacuating residents, Anutin said details will be provided by the spokesperson. The spokesperson will also explain water discharge plans, as multiple agencies and missions are involved. A spokesperson team will be established to provide daily briefings on the situation, similar to the COVID-19 period; preparations are underway.
Asked about establishing a war room, Anutin said they have set up an operations center at Phakdi Bodin Building—not a war room—to coordinate with agencies. Various agencies have set up their own operation centers. The situation director will consolidate all operations. When asked if the government still controls the situation, Anutin confirmed that not only are they controlling it, but they are also actively working to assist and alleviate the situation as much as possible. All bodies have been deployed in the area.
Regarding evacuation plans amid public concerns about which areas are safe, the Prime Minister said the frontline teams, not the government per se, are responsible for providing the best assistance to the people. Currently, operations involve mobilizing the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), whose director is already on site. The situation has been escalated to level 4 by DDPM. The Permanent Secretary of the Interior Ministry has been appointed as incident commander, empowered to coordinate or even issue cross-agency orders.
Asked if there is a deadline to evacuate all residents, Anutin said no. They aim to evacuate people as quickly as possible. Once the situation improves, they will expedite restoration and care efforts to reassure residents that they can safely return to their homes, with all necessary supplies provided.
. Anutin also said His Majesty the King has expressed concern about evacuations and graciously donated supplies for care. The government has expedited mobilization of vehicles and equipment as its responsibility. Asked if the aid timeframe should be shortened, Anutin said all efforts are racing against time.
Asked about assessments of water volume and rainfall data, Anutin said assessments are ongoing. Currently, the situation awaits water discharge, provided no further rain falls. Today's rain is lighter than yesterday. If no additional rain or inflow occurs, Hat Yai district, being a basin, will gradually drain floodwaters. Once water levels reach manageable levels without obstacles, aid will be fully deployed to the area.
Asked if the Prime Minister will visit the area, Anutin replied, he believes it is better to stay here now, as personnel with authority are already on site. He visited the area during the first two days to see conditions firsthand, which helped him better understand reports and manage tasks more efficiently. Seeing the damage and flooded areas firsthand helped all parties discuss and make faster decisions.
. When asked whether decision-making authority on-site belongs to the Supreme Commander or to Lt. Col. Thammanat Prompao, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, as director of the Disaster Water Management Center, Anutin said Lt. Col. Thammanat currently acts as Deputy Prime Minister and can exercise authority when on-site. The government, led by the Prime Minister, issues commands. All ministers have similar authority to command, sharing responsibilities to maximize public safety. The Supreme Commander's role is to integrate all units, compile the overall situation, and assign responsibilities accordingly.
Regarding whether the data center should follow government or Supreme Commander orders, the Prime Minister said they are the same people. The Supreme Commander already has authority to issue orders. If the Prime Minister wants actions taken, he instructs the Supreme Commander and all parties to cooperate fully. This is integrated work under the law.
. Regarding the appointment of the Supreme Commander and criticisms that Lt. Col. Thammanat lacks effective operational and water management plans, Anutin rebutted, asking how such claims could be made. Thammanat was the first to arrive on-site, even before the Prime Minister, with no political motives. He went with the Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department, who stayed to oversee water discharge operations and has not yet left. Anutin met with the Director-General for discussions on Saturday evening.
Asked about reports that on 24 Nov 2025 Lt. Col. Thammanat, as center director, was absent from the area and instead went to Chiang Mai, Anutin said, he had called to report that his plane could not land. He did not specify if he was in Chiang Mai or elsewhere. When Anutin spoke to him, Thammanat said he would return as soon as possible because weather conditions were poor and flights were canceled the previous day.
. Asked if the authorities of the two men (Supreme Commander and Thammanat) overlap or conflict, the Prime Minister said no. He and other ministers can order their ministries and officials to cooperate with the Supreme Commander. There is no need to worry; everyone works together. They recently held a meeting with the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and military leaders. No one is competing for authority in these matters. When asked whom field operators should follow, the Prime Minister did not answer and immediately left the interview.
Reporters added that the Prime Minister canceled all afternoon engagements and assigned Police General Kittirat Phanphet, Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, to chair the Police Committee meeting instead. Minister of Public Health Patthana Prompatt was assigned to preside over the opening of the 16th National Cancer Conference and later attended a flood situation update meeting at Thai Khu Fah Building, calling relevant agencies to discuss and update the situation.
