On 18 October 2011, Mr. Thani Thongphakdi, Director-General of the Department of Information and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave a press interview at the Ministry. Gist as follows:
As Vietnam and Cambodia have been facing the current flooding situation, which is the most severe in the past decades, the Royal Thai Government has provided a contribution of three million baht each to the Government of Vietnam and the Government of Cambodia to assist flood victims. On behalf of the Thai Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul presented the said contribution to the Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand and Cambodian Ambassador to Thailand respectively. The Foreign Minister also presented both Ambassadors the letter of condolences from the Thai Prime Minister to the Prime Ministers of Vietnam and Cambodia respectively.
In the letter, the Prime Minister stated that the current flood situation are unprecedented and caused tragic loss of lives, casualties and damage to properties. In light of the current situation, Thailand stands in solidarity with Vietnam and Cambodia during this difficult time. Additionally, the Thai Prime Minister hoped that Vietnam and Cambodia as well as ASEAN members and other countries would continue to cooperate on disaster management in the future.
In Vietnam, 43 people have been reported dead, 70,000 households and approximately 300 square kilometers of rice paddy have been affected. In Cambodia, 247 people have lost their lives, 1.2 million people and approximately 3,840 square kilometers of agricultural land have been affected.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th