King’s son ‘Than Aon’ travels to Chiang Rai with food and water for flood victims
Flood victims in Thailand are seeing a big received boost in aid from across the nation, with a notable contribution coming from His Majesty the King's second son, Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse.
Vacharaesorn, affectionately known as “Than Aon”, travelled to Chiang Rai province to distribute drinking water and food to those affected by the floods. Local news reports showed the prince riding on the back of a pickup truck to reach victims and offer encouragement to staff at local help centres.
In a Facebook post, the prince said, "Arrived in Chiang Rai. Prepare water and food for our brothers and sisters in distress."
Accompanying photos showed him delivering supplies and visiting the Flood Victim Assistance Centre in Chiang Rai Municipality.
The royal visit has galvanised public and private sector efforts to provide relief. “The Nation Pun Namjai” campaign, in collaboration with the Royal Thai Air Force, has dispatched substantial aid to the region. On Friday morning, a C130 aircraft departed Don Mueang military airport loaded with 1,000 relief bags and over 2,000 packs of drinking water bound for Chiang Rai.
However, the flooding situation in Thailand remains worrisome. Seri Suprathit, vice president of the National Disaster Warning Council, warned on Friday that the Mekong River Commission (MRC) expects the river to reach its highest level in Nong Khai province by September 16. This surge threatens to flood several areas immediately west of Loei province.
In response, the Loei provincial governor has issued a flood alert after the Mekong River crossed its critical level. The situation may worsen if Laos increases discharge from its Xayaburi Dam. Residents in Loei's Chiang Khan district have been advised to prepare for potential evacuation.
As Thailand continues to grapple with severe floods, the combined efforts of the royal family, government agencies, and civilian organisations provide a glimmer of hope for affected communities. The country watches anxiously as water levels continue to rise, with all eyes on the Mekong River's potentially devastating impact on northern provinces.
