Many people had to leave their homes and find somewhere else to stay, others are struggling with their daily commute. Currently, 18 of Bangkok's 50 districts have been impacted by the flooding and the area is still expanding.
CEO of Allianz C.P. General Insurance gives an update on the continuing floods in Thailand
To increase capacities inside the city, authorities are pooling water pumps from all sectors, including those provinces where the flood has already receded. Dikes and embankments along the rivers and major canals still need sophisticated repair work and maintenance, and the water flow through the hundreds of watergates has to be managed. It can take another two weeks until the situation will ease.
Pakit Iamopas, CEO of Allianz C.P. General Insurance, gives an update.
Thailand, and Bangkok in particular, is used to dealing with floods. What is different this time?
Pakit Iamopas: Major areas outside of Bangkok and increasingly inside the city have been under water for weeks now. Adding to the normal damage water will cause when buildings and sites are flooded, this long period will make reconstruction and rehabilitation take months once we can start.
What is Allianz C.P. doing to help?
Iamopas: Our First priority is to ensure that our customers are well taken care of during these troubled times. On the claims side, we specially separated the motor and non-motor claims management to ensure that each affected customer account could be reached and contacted by a specialized staff member. In addition, our 24 hours Customer Contact Center is always ready to serve our customers. Our on the ground "Service Direct" are on duty for any customer assistance.
How are your employees affected and what can Allianz do to help?
Iamopas: Quite a number of our staff and also colleagues of our life company are affected by the flood. Allianz has arranged special programs to assist them with allowances, work relocation, remote workplace permission and other measures.
For many of us here, this current situation is one of the most serious events in our lives. But I am confident that we will get through it together, as a team.
What will Allianz do going forward?
Iamopas: As we speak, the flood situation is still on-going. We are now closely monitoring the remaining exposure in the eastern part of Bangkok which is still under high risk of flooding. Also we need to keep an eye on the southern part of Thailand the monsoon season is beginning.
Regarding the current flood crisis, ninety-nine percent of our claims are not yet accessible. We have started to prepare for claims adjustment actions once the water recedes: Expert loss adjusters from Allianz in Indonesia and Malaysia are going to support our efforts with decontamination specialists who can advise on first aid actions. They will also help working on the affected equipment and carry out preservation works to avoid further deterioration.
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