Yotsanan Wongsawat changed his urgent flight mission from Surat Thani to head north to assist flood victims in Nan's Pua district, following direct orders from Prime Minister Anutin issued from Australia.
On 19 Aug 2026 GMT+7, following the case that Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul issued urgent orders while on duty in Canberra, Australia, directing all sectors to expedite assistance to flood victims in Nan Province, where a disaster area has been declared.
Most recently, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Yotsanan Wongsawat, who oversees the northern region and chairs the committee on flood and drought prevention and mitigation in the northern area, abruptly changed his mission. After completing duties at the PSU Academic Event and Research Expo in Surat Thani Province, Yotsanan will depart Surat Thani International Airport at 13:30 and is expected to arrive in Nan Province around 15:00 to proceed directly to Pua district to closely monitor the situation and issue assistance orders in line with the Prime Minister's policy.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in Pua district remains tense following heavy accumulated rainfall and flash floods inundating homes, resulting in many community transportation routes being cut off. Evacuation efforts are underway, especially for vulnerable groups, urgently relocating them to safe shelters.
Initially, Yotsanan coordinated with Nan Provincial Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation regarding rescue operations and citizen care, and ordered the Nan Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office to coordinate information and support vulnerable groups in the area. The Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department has issued directives and aid measures as follows:
1. Installation of one 24-inch water pump in Mueang Nan district and eleven 8-inch pumps in Wiang Sa district.
2. Deployment of machinery including seven backhoe excavators and dump trucks to clear waterway blockages and bridge approaches.
3. Monitoring, vigilance, and preparatory defenses in close cooperation with the provincial governor, Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, and local agencies.