Anutin Faces Both Praise and Criticism on Second Day at Khlong Chan Flats, Prepares Cabinet Proposal for 2 Billion Baht Relief Fund Tomorrow

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited Khlong Chan flats for the second day, distributing survival bags by boat to residents. He encountered both praise and criticism, denying claims that he works from an ivory tower. He is preparing to propose to the Cabinet tomorrow a relief budget of 2 billion baht, expressing understanding of the victims' hardships and affirming the government's readiness to listen to their concerns.

At 19:07 on 28 Sep 2026 GMT+7, at the Khlong Chan Housing Flats, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, accompanied by Minister of Industry Warawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Defense Lieutenant General Adul Boonthamcharoen, Deputy Minister of Interior Pol. Lt. Gen. Phonpee Suwanchawi, Deputy Minister of Interior Worasit Liangprasit, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister's Office Pradorn Prissanananukul, and Deputy Commissioner of Police Pol. Gen. Samran Nuamma, visited the area for the second consecutive day.

When the Prime Minister arrived, journalists asked why on 27 Sep he had walked barefoot without shoes while visiting Khlong Chan flats. He replied that he was afraid his shoes would get damp and told them not to overinterpret it. Then reporters asked if he ever smelled his shoes when damp.Damp.Before reporters asked if he took medicine to prevent waterborne diseases, the Prime Minister said he was fine.

Upon arrival, the Prime Minister inspected the kitchen of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, which was preparing food to distribute 10,000 boxes daily to flood victims. While touring, he asked what menu was being cooked. The cook said they were making stir-fried dishes.Basil,chicken andbasil.pork.The Prime Minister advised to addmore basil.Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Interior Ministry Nirath Pongsitthaworn brought a dish ofbasil chicken with boiled egg for the Prime Minister to see. He then suggested adding oyster sauce, a bit more dark soy sauce,andmore basil, more generously. Then he joked, “If I go up to cook, they’ll scold me again.” Nirath replied that the Prime Minister acts as the quality controller.He was then shouted at with profanity.Following that, the Prime Minister boarded a boat to distribute food, drinking water, consumables, and survival bags to those stranded in Khlong Chan flats. Along the way, reporters noted that as his boat entered the area, there were voices of thanks and encouragement saying, “It’s good the Prime Minister is here,” and chanting “Bhumjaithai, Bhumjaithai.” The Prime Minister responded, “Oh, just ignore it.” At the same time, some residents shouted heavy criticism using profanity, called him a crocodile and worse, and yelled, “What the hell are you doing? Everything’s ruined.” Another group of residents cautioned them to stop. The Prime Minister did not respond but instead greeted with a wai and continued handing out survival bags.

Throughout the route, residents shouted at the Prime Minister continuously. He asked them, “The electricity is back on, the water is back, right?” and “When will the water go down? We’re about to die.”

At one point, his boat stopped in front of a flat building, and he got out to check a hose to test the water quality, telling residents, “Take care of yourselves. We still can’t pump water out because the floodwaters are high, but we will deliver food and water daily.”

Refuting claims of working from an ivory tower.Later, Anutin gave an interview after his second day at Khlong Chan flats, saying that a meeting was held this morning and that he is not working from an ivory tower as some have claimed. He has expedited the delivery of supplies, including food trucks and community development resources from local housewife networks. He noted that upon entering the flats, shortages of food have been resolved, and the reports of people going two days without food are no longer true. Electricity has been restored to all buildings, and water connections are being completed. Currently, the water pump room is flooded, making pumping ineffective, so drinking water and survival bags have been provided.“People can criticize as they wish, but today we brought them food, and they said it was enough. This shows concern for livelihoods and consumption. We have worked overnight to deliver aid. I will visit Romklao and Lat Krabang areas to assess their needs because if we don’t go, we won’t know what is missing and can’t supply it properly. We are addressing details urgently and coordinating closely with the Bangkok governor in joint meetings.”

Anutin also said many ask why water is not being pumped out. Currently, pumping would just circulate water back because the external water level is higher. They must wait for canal water to drain into the sea first. The outlook is improving as no rain is forecast, allowing water to drain. Once drainage occurs, pumping will intensify. He has instructed that any broken pumps be replaced using his own budget to acquire more pumps for water removal.

Preparing to propose Cabinet approval of 2 billion baht relief budget tomorrow.

When asked how many days until the water level stops rising and pumping can begin, Anutin said the Meteorological Department reported 1-2 days ago that it would take 1-2 days. Today is day two, and they hope for no additional rainfall. Recovery efforts are speeding up, with a central budget reserved for relief per disaster prevention regulations, totaling over 2 billion baht. This will be submitted to tomorrow’s Cabinet meeting. They are managing both the current crisis and preparing for recovery and compensation.

Understanding victims' hardships, government ready to listen.

When asked about negative reactions from residents earlier, the Prime Minister said people need to fully express their emotions, and the government is ready to listen. He added that if he were in their position, he might be even more upset. He sees the visit as giving them the chance to vent, and ultimately, most people express thanks and appreciation.

“We cannot expect residents to feel good right now. The government does not expect that either, but we must do our duty. We cannot prevent flooding, but once it happens, the priority is readiness to assist and support the people.”