Prime Minister Anutin launched an inspection of the Hat Yai drainage embankment, vowing to expedite repairs in time for this year's monsoon. He accepted criticism with humility and promised to work wholeheartedly to secure full parliamentary seats for the province in the next election cycle.
On 10 July 2026 at Wat Tha Chang, Tha Chang Subdistrict, Bang Klam District, Songkhla Province, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, accompanied by Prime Minister’s Advisory Chairman Wan Muhamad Nor Matha, Songkhla Governor Rattasat Chidchu, Hat Yai Mayor Narongporn Na Phatthalung, Songkhla Provincial Administrative Organization Chief Suphit Phitaktham, and former Deputy Interior Minister Nipon Boonyamanee, visited the area to monitor water management plans and meet closely with local residents.
Prime Minister Anutin addressed the public, admitting the cabinet arrived with a sense of "fear" that they might not meet public expectations. He took full responsibility as "Defendant No. 1" for the severe flooding that damaged Songkhla last year, naming Mayor Narongporn (Mayor Paen) as a joint defendant and the Songkhla Governor as "Defendant No. 2," illustrating shared responsibility. Nonetheless, the government has learned lessons, mobilized all ministries plus military, police, and medical teams to urgently provide relief and devise natural disaster prevention strategies. He emphasized that aid operations from now on must be prompt and complete, aiming to resolve flooding issues before the end of 2026.
The Prime Minister affirmed that the government has never abandoned southern residents, signaling the Royal Irrigation Department and Department of Highways to urgently repair the Phuminatdamri drainage embankment or Canal R.1, along with damaged roads. He plans to allocate central budget supplements to prevent repeated flooding damage, as Songkhla is an important economic port city with the highest number of Malaysian tourists. He also expressed gratitude for having Wan Muhamad Nor Matha as an advisor to help negotiate peace and promote stability in the three southern border provinces.
“Today, if people have anything to express, please do so. We are ready to accept criticism with reason. Songkhla voters have elected four MPs from my party. If I fail this round, it would be a big problem. Therefore, I promise to serve everyone wholeheartedly. But in the next election, I ask for all parliamentary seats in Songkhla province,” Anutin appealed to the public.
At the end, the Prime Minister inquired about progress on the 'Thai Help Thai Plus' economic stimulus project, which the government fast-tracked funding for to assist flood victims. The crowd responded that the aid funds had "run out," prompting Anutin to joke with a smile that this indicates the local economy is circulating well and effectively reducing expenses. Following this, the Prime Minister and his team mingled with the crowd to greet and listen to local residents' complaints in a friendly manner before departing.