On 25 October 2011, in response to media inquiries about news reports on the withdrawal of U.S. officials from the flood relief efforts in Thailand as the Thai side never made a request to the U.S. side, Mr. Thani Thongphakdi, Director-General of the Department of Information and Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, made the following statement:
1. With regard to the current flood situation in Thailand, the U.S. Government offered various forms of assistance to Thailand. On 9 October 2011, the U.S. Government provided 100,000 U.S. dollars (around 3 million baht) through the Thai Red Cross Society. Subsequently, on 20 October 2011, the U.S. Government provided a further contribution of 500,000 U.S. dollars (around 15 million baht) through the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to assist flood victims with relief supplies.
2. Additionally, on 14 October 2011, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) held a telephone conference with the Thai side and expressed its readiness to share experience and knowledge in the areas of recovery and natural disaster management.
3. On 15 October 2011, a U.S. C-130 aircraft arrived in Thailand with 18,000 sandbags and a ten-man group of U.S. Marine Corps Assessment Team to assess ways to assist flood victims. The U.S. Assessment Team and the Thai agencies concerned jointly conducted aerial surveys over affected areas in Ang Thong and Ayutthaya provinces. Meanwhile, the USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group was repositioned to Thailand and stood ready to conduct relief operations once the Assessment Team issued an order.
4. The Assessment Team conducted aerial and land surveys as part of the assessment since 16 October 2011, facilitated by the Thai side. On 17 October 2011, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs convened a meeting between the Assessment Team, the relevant U.S authorities and the Thai agencies concerned to discuss flood relief measures. The U.S side was of the view that the relief operation by the Thai Government has been carried out effectively and the U.S. side requested more time to further evaluate the situation.
5. Subsequently, the initial assessment of the U.S. side was that the current situation did not represent an immediate threat to life and limb. Therefore, according to the U.S. regulations, the U.S. side could not conduct any air lift operations. Consequently, on 25 October 2011, the USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group departed Thailand to continue with its previous schedule.
6. The USS Mustin with 300 crew on board and two helicopters however still remain at Laem Chabang Port to assist with local flood relief efforts in the area and continue to evaluate the situation.The U.S. side has also provided other relevant supports such as satellite pictures from the U.S Pacific Command to help relief operations. Furthermore, the U.S. side has set up a public health team from the Centers for Disease Control to cooperate with the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand to address the problem of water related diseases during the floods and after the water recedes. The U.S. side is also considering extending support on an early warning flood system for the National Disaster Warning Center of Thailand.
7. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to reaffirm that all the relevant authorities in Thailand have been working together in an integrated manner and coordinating closely with the U.S side on flood relief efforts. As for the U.S.’s readiness to provide assistance to Thailand, though the U.S.’s own regulations do not allow it to provide air lift operations, the U.S. side has provided assistance in other areas such as financial donations, relief supplies and technical cooperation. Additionally, the USS Mustin and the Assessment Team still remain in Thailand, continuously assessing the situation in the Kingdom.
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