BANGKOK, 5 January 2012 (NNT) – Soldiers have been ordered to give assistance to and take care of flood victims in Southern Thailand, while more troops are ready to be deployed for flood relief if any area needs more help.

General Yuthasak Sasiprapa, the Defence Minister, says a number of soldiers have already been in the flood-affected areas since the first day the flood occurred. They took care of the victims in hard-hit areas such as Nakhon Si Thammarat and Chumphon provinces.

Meanwhile, the Army Commander-in-Chief, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, has commanded the setting up of disaster relief centers at the 4th Army Region Headquarters as well as in flooded zones to integrate the flood assistance duties among different parties.

Reporter: Nuttaporn Chanchokpong – NNT