Their Majesties donate B10m to Nepal
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Their Majesties donate B10m to Nepal

The search for survivors continues in the rubble left by the earthquake, but time is running out for those still trapped. (EPA photo)
The search for survivors continues in the rubble left by the earthquake, but time is running out for those still trapped. (EPA photo)

Their Majesties the King and Queen have donated 10 million baht through the Rajaprajanugroh Foundation to help Nepalese quake victims, according to a letter from the foundation to Prime Minsiter Prayut Chan-o-cha.

In the letter, the prime minister is entrusted with the responsibility of sending on Their Majesties' donation.

He said Nepal and Thailand have close ties as many Thais travel to the Himalayan country on pilgrimages.

Gen Prayut said he had expressed the government's support to the country through the Nepalese ambassador to Thailand. The Nepalese prime minister has thanked Their Majesties, the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the government for their help.

The government ordered the Royal Thai Air Force to provide two C130 transport aircraft to deliver more relief items to Nepal Wednesday.

Air force spokesman ACM Monthon Satchukorn said the relief supplies include survival equipment donated by Princess Ubolratana.

Among the necessities donated by state agencies are tents and field table sets from Gen Prayut and canvas sheets from Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, along with drinking water, canned fish, medicine and medical equipment, blankets, water filters, survival gear and saline solution. The relief supplies weigh 11 tonnes in total.

The C130 aircraft were initially due to leave Don Muang military airport for Nepal Wednesday morning, but the flights were postponed for 24 hours by extreme congestion at Kathmandu airport caused by the international relief effort. Kathmandu's single-runway airport has struggled to accommodate the huge rush of flights bringing in aid and foreign experts.

Col Sirichan Ngathong, deputy army spokesman, said a team of Thai military personnel which left earlier had now arrived in Nepal to begin relief work.

The Thai disaster response unit had been set up in Nepal to work with international relief contingents. The Thai rescue party has been working with international forces and rescue teams to search for victims who might have survived the quake and identify the bodies of dead victims. However, communication has been problematic as basic infrastructure has been destroyed in many areas, she said.

A command centre had also been set up to work with the Thai embassy in Kathmandu on disaster relief management, she added. Thai forces have started security patrols in quake-affected areas, she said.

The Thai team is also providing about 6,000 litres of drinking water a day to quake survivors and army officers on the mission.

Deputy Defence Minister and army chief Udomdej Sitabutr said state agencies hope to open more centres to collect donations and supplies for victims of the earthquake.

People can donate funds and supplies to the 1st Infantry Battalion, King's Guard on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road and the 11th Infantry Regiment, King's Guard. 

Earlier, the government said the Thai Red Cross and the Public Health Ministry would also send medical personnel and the Commerce Ministry would donate rice in addition to the government's initial donation of 100 million baht.

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