The Agriculture Ministry plans to ask for a Bt1.92-billion budget at the meeting, which will be used to compensate farmers for flood damages, an informed source said yesterday.

Agricultural Extension Department director general Songsak Wongphumiwat said the damage to crops was estimated at about Bt1.7 billion.

"We also have to compensate farmers who agreed to let run-off water from the North into their properties [in a bid to save Bangkok from serious flooding]," he said.

Songsak said the authorities would distribute seeds of crops with quick yields to flood-affected farmers. "We will also consider other forms of assistance," he added.

A source at Government House said yesterday said the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry will submit plans to tackle flood problems to the Cabinet tomorrow.

The source said the plans were based on flood-prevention solutions arrived at during brainstorming sessions last month.

For the current situation, the plans call for monitoring and analysis of the water situation, efficient water management and water discharge, and compensation and assistance for flood victims.

As intermediate and long-term solutions, the plans suggest conservation of forest areas, especially near water sources and waterways. They also recommend that city planning should include efficient drainage systems.

"Early-warning systems should also be installed," the source said, citing one of the proposals.

Meanwhile, Public Health Minister Mongkol na Songkhla yesterday said that HM the Queen Sirikit had expressed concern for the health of people affected by floods for a long time.

Currently, the flood situation remains serious in Sing Buri, Ayutthaya, Suphan Buri, Nonthaburi and Angthong.

"Her Majesty has instructed our ministry to take the best care of the flood victims' physical and mental health," Mongkol said.

He said the Public Health Ministry had now focused on preventive measures to stem the spread of disease in flood areas and also assigned the Mental Health Department to attend to the needs of flood victims.

From August 27 until yesterday, 638,608 flood victims have sought treatment from the ministry's mobile medical units. Of these, more than 80,000 needed treatment for their mental condition.

The Mental Health Department has now launched round-the-clock hotline numbers 1667 and 1332 for people who need counselling about their mental health.