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Since July this year, Thailand has experienced one of the worst flooding incident in its history. Around 500 persons lost their lives and millions were homeless and have to live in temporary shelters. This flood has affected investors and tourists. Some have postponed their holidays and some have considered relocating their investments elsewhere. I, therefore, would like to share with you some steps taken in order to alleviate the hardships and restore the country back to normalcy. 
In respond to the current flood situations, the Government approved a flood relief and recovery plan totaling over 10 billion US Dollars to support small and medium sized entrepreneurs and to reconstruct the industrial estates that were affected. This relief and recovery plan comprise various steps to be implemented in different phases. The Government has also set up a National Committee to map out a comprehensive strategy for people’s relief and country’s rehabilitation to bring back a better, safer and stronger Thailand. The strategy is focus on three phases namely, rescue, restore and rebuild. 
For immediate action, the Government will ensure people’s safety and diminishing damage to businesses both Thai and foreigners’. Rescue to bring back normal lives have started and will be completed in a few months. The Government’s support in monitoring terms is made directly to people. Government’s relief fund and donations from abroad have been allocated to people under distress. Medical care and temporary shelters have been provided for people in all provinces that are affected. In this connection, I would like to thank the Danish Government for its 300,000 DKR as well as to the Lions Club of Denmark for its 500,000 DKR cash donation to help relieve the flood victims. 
In short-term phase, the Government will focus on reconstructing the economy and society in a comprehensive manner. Restoration efforts will be undertaken and completed within one year to quickly restore infrastructure so that they will be operational again. Industries and foreign investments will be offered remedies, financial assistance, loans and tax incentives. More importantly, comprehensive reconstruction of water management and drainage system will be address to effectively resolve flood problems permanently. 
The Government has set up the strategic committees tasked with reconstruction and water resources management by inviting experts from various fields to formulate a plan for national rehabilitation and to ensure confidence to investors to continue their business in a future Thailand.
I wish to reassure you that the Thai Government and its people are trying their best to move the country forward despite the great challenges created by changes of nature. We are preparing to keep up with these changes and to lead the country forward with good business and investment environment.
Remarks by
H.E. Mr. Piyawat Niyomrerks, Ambassador of Thailand to Denmark,
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