Yotsanan signed an urgent letter ordering the three northern provinces—Nan, Phayao, and Lamphun—to prepare for floods and flash floods. He instructed KA-32 helicopters to be on standby and mandated 24-hour alerts via Cell Broadcast.
19 Aug 2026 GMT+7 Yotsanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, serving as Chair of the Committee for Flood and Drought Prevention and Solution in Northern Thailand, signed the most urgent letter No. M.T. 0608/W 14555 addressed to the governors of Nan, Phayao, and Lamphun provinces. The letter orders comprehensive flood prevention and response preparations in the northern region after the Meteorological Department forecasted thunderstorms, heavy rain in some areas, and strong winds in August 2026, which may cause flash floods, flash floods, and river overflows. The committee therefore issued eight key measures for the three provinces to implement immediately as follows.
1. Closely monitor and assess the situation Coordinate information with upstream areas and neighboring provinces to predict trends and provide timely warnings, focusing on recurrent flood zones, densely populated communities, economic areas, tourist sites, and major transportation routes.
2. Upgrade rapid and accurate warning systems Integrate analysis and alerts via Cell Broadcast, and communicate orders through provincial, district, local, village headmen, and community leaders to ensure the public receives guidance promptly.
3. Prepare personnel, machinery, and KA-32 helicopters Deploy staff, boats, and water pumps at risk points in advance, operating 24/7, and keep KA-32 disaster prevention and relief helicopters on standby for evacuation and delivering aid to hard-to-reach areas.
4. Prepare temporary shelters Ensure readiness of facilities, food, drinking water, healthcare systems, kitchens, and sufficient cooking supplies.
5. Continuously publicize water situation updates Warn about river and stream water levels, low-lying risk points, and inform raft operators, restaurants, riverside residents, and tourists entering the area.
6. Establish a command center to expedite assistance to vulnerable groups In case of incidents, set up a command center to direct and mobilize resources prioritizing aid to vulnerable groups, coordinating with the Provincial Social Development Office to keep data current.
7. Accelerate recovery and relief efforts Survey and record damages to disburse compensation per government policy and Ministry of Finance regulations on emergency disaster relief advances for 2025 quickly, thoroughly, and fairly.
8. Coordinate with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation provincial units Liaise with agencies under the ministry in the area to support flood response, transport of goods, and post-flood cleanup and restoration 24/7.
These measures were established under Prime Ministerial Office Order 275/2026, appointing five regional committees for flood and drought prevention and solution to effectively alleviate public hardship in the northern region.
