Lisa Phakamon demands flood repair funds for southern residents, stating the floodwaters have long since receded but relief remains delayed. She proposes that the government urgently reform regulations and speed up fund approval so that money reaches the people promptly.
On 24 Feb 2026 GMT+7, Ms. Phakamon Hoonanun, also known as Lisa, a prospective party-list MP for the Prachachon Party, posted on Facebook demanding repair funds for southern residents affected by floods. She stated that three months have passed with people in the South still not receiving flood repair money and called for systemic regulation reform, warning against celebrating the Election Commission's budget approval for funds that should have been disbursed long ago.
Ms. Phakamon noted that she saw news last week where Minister Bad Pradorn Prisanantakul announced that the Election Commission approved an additional 2 billion baht for flood relief. She said this was bittersweet because this amount covers the 9,000 baht universal relief payment that should have been received long ago but has been delayed due to failed management, causing funds to be stuck during the election period.
Ms. Phakamon stated that three months after the waters receded, residents have struggled to repair their damaged and flooded homes and have been able to return to live there for some time. The biggest issue remains that the "repair money" has yet to reach any residents. The 49,500 baht awaiting damage verification, she said, has not even reached the Ministry of Interior yet, as local authorities have just completed damage surveys. She asked openly how much real damage can be found now, as no one would keep broken doors, windows, or ceilings for three months. She called the delayed and unclear relief efforts an injustice.
An additional overlapping problem is that not everyone will receive the full 49,500 baht; amounts vary based on government damage assessments. Residents only receive "material costs" with no calculation for "labor costs." This outdated bureaucratic regulation from the Ministry of Finance's relief payment system requires urgent reform by a government with genuine intent. Construction materials have become many times more expensive than a decade ago, and residents are not all skilled craftsmen; they cannot cut wood, hammer nails, or climb to repair roofs. The regulation writers seemingly fail to understand that specialists must be hired to do repairs.
If we were the government, we would propose ending the system where damage is recorded manually, as it is very slow and inaccurate. Thailand has GISTDA satellites; our party has already discussed with them. Our satellites can detect damage and identify exactly which house numbers are affected. We must use technology to lead and reform systems and regulations to center relief efforts around the "people," not the convenience of government officials. We propose increasing the repair fund ceiling from 49,500 baht to 100,000 baht per case because construction material costs in 2026 are much higher and the current amount is insufficient.
Most importantly, we propose true decentralization by unlocking local authorities' power to declare disaster situations and use available budgets to care for residents immediately from the moment an event occurs, without waiting for orders from Bangkok. We must put residents at the center, empower local governments, and think with empathy for those in distress.
Ms. Phakamon stated that the government must stop hyping relief payments as cause for celebration; it is not a joyous matter. Meanwhile, unissued funds remain silent, with no communication to residents about when they will receive money. Many have gone into debt or borrowed from relatives to repair homes just to survive. The government's delays cause residents suffering. She vowed to continuously follow up and demand these funds and urged the government to urgently reform problematic regulations with the same energy as their hunger for power and ministerial positions.