Govt gives B5m in relief aid
The government has given a 5-million-baht donation to Indonesia for the Sulawesi earthquake relief while a Thai medical team was preparing to fly there last night.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha handed the money to the Indonesian Ambassador to Thailand, Ahmad Rusdi, at Government House yesterday.
The prime minister also offered his condolences to Indonesia on behalf of the government and the public. The temblor was reported to have killed more than 1,407 people and injured 2,549.
About 70,000 people were reported to have been displaced.
Gen Prayut said he believed the assistance and alleviation measures provided by the Indonesian authorities, under the leadership of President Joko Widodo, would see the country recover quickly.
He also thanked the Indonesian government for helping ensure the safe evacuation of Thais from disaster-hit areas back home.
He said he was scheduled to attend the Asean leaders gathering in the Indonesian island of Bali next Thursday, and that he would take advantage of the occasion to offer his condolences once more and thank the Indonesian president in person.
Mr Rusdi thanked the government for its kindness.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Busadee Santipitaks said yesterday that 32 Thai people stuck on Sulawesi island have been safely evacuated, adding no Thais now remain in the earthquake- and tsunamistricken city of Palu.
“The Indonesian authorities are seeking assistance through air transport, including tents, water-treatment equipment, electricity generating devices, mobile medical units and medical personnel,” said Ms Busadee.
In addition to the 5-million-baht donation given by the prime minister, at least 10 million baht is expected to be raised by Thai business operators in Indonesia, she said.
The Public Health Ministry is preparing an emergency medical unit, which includes 25 psychiatrists and other staff, to take care of people there as well as to prevent disease outbreaks and ensure sanitation, she said.
However the deployment needs to be given the nod by Indonesian authorities first, she added.
Donations can be made through bank account No 067-0-13037-0 at Krung Thai Bank’s Government House branch, according to the spokeswoman.
Meanwhile, Phuket governor Pakapong Tawipat reassured residents and tourists yesterday that all 19 tsunami-warning towers in three districts on the Thai resort island are tested every Wednesday and they function normally.