Thammanat actively assisted 58 families affected by a fire at the community along Nang Hong Canal, delivering relief bags and hastening housing arrangements. He declared readiness to use the foundation's reserves if government aid is delayed, emphasizing that citizens' hardships must be separated from politics. Tags: [fire relief, community aid, temporary housing, Thammanat Phromphao, political neutrality]
At 10:20 a.m. on 4 August 2026, at the community behind the temple along Nang Hong Canal, Bangkok, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat Phromphao, leader of the Kla Tham Party, accompanied by the Thammanat Phromphao Charity Foundation, Major Dr. Thanakrit Jitareerat, director of the Kla Tham Party’s complaint center, and his team, visited residents affected by the fire at the Nang Hong Canal community near Rama VI. They distributed relief bags to victims and followed up on the construction of new buildings, as well as measures and financial aid for 58 affected families, including plans for temporary housing while waiting for new homes to be built.Tags: [fire victims, Bangkok, relief distribution, temporary housing, Kla Tham Party]
Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said that since learning about the fire and the community’s hardship, he has been deeply concerned because many affected are grassroots residents of Bangkok. From past experience, initial attention from all sectors arises after such events, but over time, that attention diminishes, and ultimately, those suffering may be forgotten even though the problems persist and remain unresolved.Tags: [community hardship, grassroots residents, ongoing issues, public concern]
After receiving information that many families had to separate and leave the community—some staying with relatives and others returning to their hometowns—making collective coordination for government and other assistance more difficult, he assigned Dr. Thanakrit, on behalf of the Kla Tham Party, to continue following up on problems and coordinating support for the residents seriously and consistently.Tags: [displacement, coordination challenges, government assistance, Kla Tham Party]
Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat stated that before entering politics, he continuously worked through the Thammanat Phromphao Foundation to help people affected by natural disasters, accidents, and other events. Therefore, when hardship occurs, it is vital that all sectors participate in resolving issues rather than leaving it solely to government agencies.Tags: [humanitarian work, foundation, disaster relief, multi-sector cooperation]
He clarified this does not mean the government is indifferent, but that social sectors, private entities, and charities can support and accelerate solutions, especially when citizens are suffering and cannot wait for bureaucratic processes.Tags: [government role, social support, private sector, charities, urgent aid]
Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat cited his experience assisting over 600 people during floods in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, where he stayed for two nights and collaborated with numerous volunteer groups and private organizations working selflessly. This demonstrated the critical role of civil society and private sectors during crises.Tags: [flood relief, volunteerism, private sector, crisis response]
He added that although he is not currently in government, his experience in administration and public assistance has shown that many matters require bureaucratic procedures that take time. Therefore, he instructed Dr. Thanakrit that any assistance possible immediately, whether through the Kla Tham Party or the foundation, should proceed without delay.Tags: [bureaucracy, urgent assistance, Kla Tham Party, foundation]
Regarding housing, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat emphasized that he does not want the 58 families to be scattered living with relatives or returning to their hometowns, because dispersal weakens their collective strength when coordinating and negotiating with relevant agencies.Tags: [housing, community cohesion, negotiation power, fire victims]
“I do not want the affected families to be scattered living with relatives or returning home because once dispersed, the strength of over 50 families diminishes, and negotiations lose weight. Therefore, I have instructed Dr. Thanakrit to find housing so all 58 families can stay together. If government processes or funding are delayed, we are ready to use foundation reserves or coordinate with other organizations and foundations to assist,” he said.Tags: [temporary housing, collective strength, foundation support, fire relief]
Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said he wanted to visit the community since the incident occurred but had to wait until plans and solutions were clear before meeting residents personally to provide concrete updates.Tags: [community visit, planning, communication, fire victims]
He affirmed the visit’s purpose was purely humanitarian aid without political expectations, emphasizing that citizens’ hardships must be distinctly separated from politics.Tags: [humanitarian aid, political neutrality, community support]
“I actually wanted to meet you all soon after the incident, but at that time, the steps were not ready. Now that clear answers are available, I take this opportunity to meet everyone. I have no political expectations; this is unrelated to politics. The suffering of the people must be kept separate from politics. I offer my support and will stand with all 58 families to fight and assist seriously,” he said.Tags: [community engagement, support, separation of hardship and politics]
Afterward, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat and his team distributed relief bags to the 58 affected families, listened to their problems and needs, and coordinated with relevant agencies to follow up on housing assistance measures.Tags: [relief distribution, community needs, coordination, housing aid]
Reporters noted that during the visit, a mother of a Lao migrant worker came to thank Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat for the foundation’s assistance with medical expenses and coordination for treatment at Phramongkutklao Hospital after the worker was injured in a fire at the Beer Store on Lat Phrao. The foundation helped overcome healthcare access limitations faced by foreign nationals. Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat encouraged her and reaffirmed the foundation’s approach to assist those in need with consideration and humanity.Tags: [migrant workers, medical aid, foundation support, fire injuries, healthcare access]