The Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) refuted opposition MPs, affirming that flood relief budget calculations are based on actual data. He plans to propose to the Cabinet an additional 10.508 billion baht budget extension to ensure uninterrupted aid payments.
On 17 Oct 2026, Mr. Nirat Pongsitthithaworn, DDPM Director-General, addressed opposition MPs' comments claiming errors in calculating the flood relief budget for the 2026 rainy season. According to the Cabinet resolution, 5.281 billion baht was approved, but with nearly the full amount already disbursed by the DDPM and Government Savings Bank, there is concern about insufficient funds for other affected people.
The DDPM clarified that budget allocation requests to the Cabinet’s central fund must be based on the number of flood-affected households reported by provinces and Bangkok to the DDPM system. The number of households is multiplied by the payment rate per established criteria, and only that actual reported number can be requested. Requests exceeding the factual data are not permitted.
However, recognizing the urgent needs and hardships of the public, the government approved a central budget for fiscal year 2026 to assist people in 66 provinces and Bangkok, totaling 5.2816556 billion baht, allowing the DDPM to promptly disburse funds before the disaster ends, as follows:
✅ Cabinet resolution on 25 Aug 2026 approved 549,989,000 baht to aid 60,971 households in 41 provinces.
✅ Cabinet resolution on 29 Sep 2026 approved an additional 4,731,666,600 baht to aid 553,780 households in 24 provinces and Bangkok.
✅ Cabinet resolution on 6 Oct 2026 approved adding one more province for assistance: Samut Songkhram Province.
The DDPM Director-General said, “The funds allocated to the DDPM come from the government’s remaining central budget for fiscal year 2026 to urgently help the public for faster relief. Prime Minister Anutin has clearly stated that if damages increase and the budget is insufficient, the DDPM can immediately request additional funds to ensure comprehensive aid. Currently, the DDPM is preparing to propose to the Cabinet on 20 Oct 2026 to extend the central budget for fiscal year 2027 by 10.508 billion baht to assist 1,481,401 households.”
“We assure the public that the DDPM, Ministry of Interior, and government have carefully planned budget spending to provide relief quickly and thoroughly, with no interruptions or gaps in assistance,” said Mr. Nirat, DDPM Director-General.
Regarding the flood relief budget approved by the government for the 2026 rainy season totaling 5.2816556 billion baht, 5.225249 billion baht has been used, leaving 66.4066 million baht remaining. Once the Cabinet approves the budget extension, the DDPM and Government Savings Bank will promptly transfer relief funds to eligible people according to criteria.