The Council of Economic Ministers on Monday approved a plan to compensate rubber farmers whose plantations were damaged by heavy flooding across the country.
Deputy government spokesman Marut Masayawanitrong said the government will pay assistance to flood-hit rubber farmers at a rate of 17,000 baht per rai (1,600 square metres).
The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry last Thursday reported that more than 310,000 rai of rubber plantations were flooded nationwide.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the government was too slow in paying promised compensation of 5,000 baht to each flood-affected household.
Only 20,000 households had been paid and the Interior Ministry must instruct provincial governors to speed up the payment process, Mr Abhisit said.
The government initially estimated about one million households were eligible.
The Meteorological Department has warned people living on hill sides and near waterways in eight southern provinces to brace for heavy monsoonal rain, possible flash floods and mudslides from now until Wednesday.
Director-general Wibul Sangauanpong said the provinces at risk are Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Phatthalung, Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat.
He advised residents to listen closely to weather forecasts.
Mr Wibul said floodwaters are still inundating areas in seven provinces in the Northeast and another six in the Central Plains, affecting altogether 820,941 people.
The flooding continues in four provinces in the South, where a total of 672,098 people have been affected, he added.
A total of 224 people had been killed by the flooding that has hit many provinces since Oct 10. Of which, 152 were flood victims in the North, Northeast, East and Central Plains and 72 in the South.
(Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/206504/more-flood-compensation-approved)
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