FROC Press Release # 22 4 November 2011 The FROC held a televised briefing on the current flood situation at the

FROC He adquarters, Energy Complex. The briefing was held by Assoc.Prof. Tossaporn Siris ampan, Secretary General of the Office of the Public Sector Development Commissi on, and Pol. Gen. Pongsapat Pongcharoen, Deputy National Police Chief. Summary i s as follows. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra today gave directions on the approaches and m echanisms to maximize the efficiency of the FROC. The approach would be one that places the people at the center, the utmost priority, while the effort to solve problems and rehabilitate those affected should be performed comprehensively, m ost appropriately, and systematically. The assistance provided should be quick, convenient, and not be hindered by too many bureaucratic procedures. The approa ch should cover assistance or rehabilitation in all sectors, in three areas, nam ely basic infrastructure; economic well-being, industry and livelihood; and the rehabilitation of the quality of life of the people. The approach is also one of greater integration amongst government agencies and mechanisms, as well as amon gst various sectors of society---government, private sector, and civil society. All levels are engaged, from top to bottom, to pool resources to address the nee ds at hand, while ensuring transparency in the work process. Due to the prolonged effects of the flood situation, and to implement the Prime Minister's directive, the FROC will be focusing on the immediate problems for t he coming 1-2 months. The current structure will be transformed into the FROC Op erational Command, with Pol. Gen. Pracha Promnog as Director. Beyond the months ahead, the focus will be on the short terms measures for the o ne year ahead, specifically on rehabilitation. This will be handled by the vario us agencies that have all worked at the FROC from the beginning. This work will be implemented by the FROC Recovery and Restoration Committees, that has been se t up today, with Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit as Chair. These separa te committees, chaired by various deputy prime ministers and ministers, will int egrate approaches and implement measures on basic infrastructure; economy, indus try, and livelihood; as well as the quality of life of the people. Apart from th ese, there will be committees to work on public safety, operations support, wate r resources management, recovery management system, and public communications. For the mechanism at the provincial level, the Ministry of Interior has set up a Provincial Operations Center to connect with the work of the FROC. Finally, for the longer term period, that is, beyond the one year duration, the Royal Thai G overnment will inform the public of the plans in due course. Pol. Gen. Pongsapat Pongcharoen, Deputy National Police Chief, also spoke about the safety measures put in place for houses that residents have left to shelters , and for shops in certain areas, where the police will continue to monitor area s affected. Traffic police are also working around the clock, and are on alert f or cars that break down as well as to monitor flooded streets for increase of fl ood water levels. The areas declared evacuation zones or high alert fall under t he jurisdiction of 16 police stations, and the police will continue to work to e nsure the safety of the general public in this situation. * * *