A HEATED debate erupted between a senior Public Health Ministry official and former deputy national police chief Pol. Gen. Surachate Hakphan, nicknamed Big Joke, amid speculation that the death toll in the huge Hat Yai floods could reach 1,000 with the latter insisting this is the case, PPTVHD36 said this morning (Dec. 2).
Dr. Sakda Alpach, deputy permanent secretary of this ministry, said the death toll in Hat Yai floods, as counted within the system and at Songklanagarind Hospital, as of 4 p.m. yesterday was 140, an increase of two from the previous day. The deaths were divided into two groups: 65 who died in a hospital and 75 outside.
Of this total 104 have been identified and the identities of the remaining 36 are still being traced while 23 bodies have been returned to the relatives with 117 bodies remaining with the authorities.
Regarding Surachet, who is president of the Southern Thai Association, having revealed the death toll was around thousand, Sakda said he was at the scene and the ministry was not complacent having made preparations and sent seven shipping containers because the situation still remained unknown with officials now cleaning up the southern city but only a few more bodies will likely be found in inaccessible areas and not the large number mentioned.
When asked what message he wanted to convey to those who were using the death toll as a political issue, Sakda confirmed that this did not undermine his work and he had two points to convey with one being to communicate the truth and the other not issue statements based on beliefs and feelings because doing so could confuse the public.
“If you don’t believe it, go to the front of the containers, I want to show you,” he said.
However Surachate retorted in a Facebook post, “Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, if you want me to count the bodies, call this number: 094 9289498. I’ll be in Hat Yai tomorrow. I’ll do the count for you, and then state on your behalf that what you said was wrong and I am telling the truth.
“But if you really can’t do it, don’t challenge me. Today, the public doesn’t believe the government’s information. I’ll help reveal the truth so that the figures are clear. I have good intentions and don’t want to hurt anyone. I just have the information necessary to help the people of Hat Yai protect their rights.”
CAPTION:
Top and Front Page – Former deputy national police chief Pol. Gen. Surachate Hakphan, right, and Public Health Deputy Permanent Secretary Dr. Sakda Alpach, left. Photo – PPTVHD36
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