Je Setth directly contacted Patthapong to expedite flood repair of a broken bridge in Kamphaeng Phet Province and unveiled new disaster insurance criteria for the area.
At 15:30 on 24 Sep 2026 at Thamrong Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Mueang Kamphaeng Phet District, Kamphaeng Phet Province, Je Setth Thai Setth, Deputy Minister of the Interior, visited to monitor flood relief efforts and distribute survival kits to local residents. Present were Chathip Rujanaseri, Governor of Kamphaeng Phet; Patcharaset Boonsirisaris, Inspector General of the Ministry of Interior; heads of government agencies; Somkiat Chuenyu, District Chief of Mueang Kamphaeng Phet; Kriangsak Klangnapa, Chief Executive of Thamrong SAO; village chiefs; and over 150 local citizens.
Upon arrival, Je Setth was briefed on the flood impact during the recent period, which caused the Ping River bridge between Konthee and Thamrong Subdistricts in Mueang Kamphaeng Phet District to collapse, severely disrupting local travel. The bridge falls under the Department of Rural Roads’ responsibility. Je Setth immediately contacted Patthapong Patprasith, Deputy Minister of Transport, to expedite repairs, with expected completion by early fiscal year 2027.
Je Setth stated he received reports from Governor Chathip Rujanaseri about flooding from 18 to 20 September 2026 that affected 55 households. The situation has since improved. Due to the damage to the Ping River bridge between Konthee and Thamrong, he called the Deputy Minister of Transport to urge prompt repairs. The minister directed the Department of Rural Roads to expedite the work, aiming to finish by early fiscal year 2027.
Je Setth explained that starting 1 Oct 2026, residents affected by disasters will receive compensation via the National Disaster Insurance without needing to undergo damage surveys as before. This insurance covers every occupied home, whether registered or not, provided actual residents live there. Once a province declares a disaster zone, such as flooding, compensation will be paid within 7 to 15 days: an initial 10,000 baht plus up to 90,000 baht for home repairs, based on floodwater height according to a set scale.
He urged governors, district chiefs, and government agencies to inform citizens about the government’s purchase of National Disaster Insurance replacing annual disaster relief payments. Previously, the central budget spent over 20 billion baht yearly on disaster compensation. With the insurance in place, these funds can be redirected to other national development efforts.
Je Setth also addressed road repairs affected by floods, instructing Thamrong SAO to expedite surveys and designs to secure funding in fiscal year 2028. Meanwhile, relevant agencies and the provincial administration may assist with interim repairs. Regarding water management, he noted the government has upgraded disaster prevention efforts, but natural disasters have intensified due to global warming. He explained that moisture from underground evaporates, then interacts with greenhouse gases, causing unusually heavy, persistent rainfall. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation continuously monitors weather, and he urged the public to heed Cell Broadcast warnings as definite alerts for imminent hazards, emphasizing local authorities must ensure public safety.
Furthermore, Je Setth asked provinces and districts to survey existing public swimming pools. If present, they should be maintained to meet quality standards. If none exist, sites should be identified and budget requests submitted for fiscal year 2028 to build pools. The goal is for every child in every district to learn to swim and achieve 100% water survival skills.