Thai government disputes claims of 4x flood damage underestimation

Lalida Periswiwatana, Deputy Government Spokesperson, has rejected opposition claims that the Ministry of Interior underestimated flood damage by four times. She argued that the number of aid applications, the number of qualifying households, and the actual value of damages are distinct data sets that cannot be compared directly to conclude an error in assessment.

Lalida clarified that the government's flood relief funds are intended for initial relief based on specific criteria rather than full compensation for all losses. She noted that the data reported to the Cabinet on September 29, 2026, represented preliminary impact figures, and the government is open to reviewing criteria to cover changing situations.

Regarding delayed payments, the spokesperson stated that delays are not solely due to budget constraints but also involve verification processes, such as checking PromptPay data, preventing duplicate household claims, and verifying damage documentation. She challenged critics to provide clear evidence for the demand for an additional 12 billion baht in budget, emphasizing that if funds are exhausted, the government will move to allocate more to ensure citizens receive aid.