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Due to the political vacuum, most of the effort to assist affected families has come from local or regional initiatives. While no politicians appear in the affected areas, local charities and local municipalities are working to assist the victims. They are evacuating people from flooded areas and clearing waterways to speed up the drainage of water to the sea.

In spite of the primary estimates of damage from the Disaster Prevention Department, the actual economic consequences could become far more severe. Caretaker Agriculture Minister Somsak Prissanananthakul said the final cost could reach more than Bt600 million, which should be less of a burden than the consequences of major flooding two years ago.

Recently, His Majesty the King instructed the Irrigation Department to construct 48 water reservoirs by next year, as a means to prevent future flooding. The initiative is to be welcomed as it will also help to solve the problem of water shortages.

Now that the new government has been formed, it should step in to assist affected farmers. The floods have hit hard in Ayutthaya province and in the northern and central regions. Once the waters subside, people will be faced with a lack of clean water and the increased risk of disease. The relief effort requires the cooperation of all ministries involved, and it is the duty of newly appointed Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to coordinate the best possible efforts from all his ministers.