Republished with permission. © Post Publishing Plc. www.bangkokpost.com
Two military transport C-130 aircraft will carry relief items Monday from Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to help Nepal earthquake victims.
The government has also provided some items while Thai medical teams have been assigned to provide treatment to quake victims in remote areas.
Samroeng Iamsa-ard, the deputy secretary to the Princess, said Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn was concerned to hear the Nepalese are still suffering.
The princess decided to send relief items to ease their pain and trauma.
The items included medicine, blankets, tents, large plastic sheets, canned fish and other equipment.
The Foreign Ministry said Sunday the official death toll was 6,250 and 14,357 were injured. There are eight Thais staying temporarily at the embassy.
A small group was sent to a remote area at Sindhukot, about 55 kilometres north of Kathmandu. Thai army medical teams travelled nine hours to reach the area.
Deputy army spokesman Sirichan Ngathong said nearly 200 victims came to receive medical treatment. Most of them were wounded while some were in serious condition and had to be sent to hospitals.
Culture Minister Vira Rojpojchanarat said the ministry is preparing to send a group of officials from the Fine Arts department to help inspect the devastated cultural sites.
"We will contact the Foreign Ministry for initial information on the damage before submitting a plan to the cabinet for approval," Mr Vira said.
He said the devastated areas included significant archaeological, world heritage and religious sites, particularly Durbar square, Boudhanath Stupa and Dharahara tower in Kathmandu. Other ancient sites in the cities of Bhaktapur and Patan were ruined by the quake.
Meanwhile, a Dusit Poll has found nearly 80% of respondents admitted they were afraid a quake might occur in Thailand and suggested the government prepare for an unexpected disaster.
Most of the 1327 respondents said good preparation should include an emergency plan, an earthquake monitoring centre and effective rescue teams.