Pet lovers upset by PM's 'save humans first' flood directive

Government quick to save damage by calling for good intention

Animal lovers on social media are upset by Prime Minister Anutin Charvirakul's advice that people evacuating their flooded homes should initially leave their pets behind and focus on saving human lives first.

"Please take care of yourself first. Do not overly worry about your pets," the prime minister said during a visit to a flooded area in Nakhon Sawan on Saturday.

"Some people do not want to leave their home because they are worried about their pet's safety."

The prime minister directed his message at flood victims who decide to stay with their pets in their flooded homes, instead of moving to provided shelters on high ground. 

Mr Anutin said he had visited an emergency relief centre and learned that animals being kept there often disturb other evacuees. 

"They cannot stay together. I have seen it with my own eyes at a shelter. Other people may not think your pets are that cute," he said.

The prime minister said the government had to concentrate on helping people first, and leave it to local authorities to look after the pets.

His remark quickly became a target of criticism by pet lovers who argued that pets are "family".

 "The bond with our pets cannot be described in words, only in our hearts, because they are our family and we will never leave them", the Care for Animals Volunteer Club said in a Facebook post on Monday.

The club's earlier message on Sunday urged the prime minister to be more careful on any issue considered sensitive.

A member of another Facebook page dedicated to dog and cat lovers said he was heartbroken after hearing of the prime minister's suggestion. "Pets are raised for and taken care of as a family member, with love and kindness," a person using the name Supapat Susoh wrote.

A man named Jpybara said on X on Saturday: "Dogs and cats will never be left alone at home. They are not pets, they are members of the family". 

"Anybody who does not understand this feeling, please have mercy on them," he added.

Prinya Thaewanarukitkul, a law lecturer at Thammasat University, on Sunday suggested a solution to the problem, saying a pet zone should be set up at relief centres separate from a living area, as the university did during the great flood in 2011, so that owners could visit them during their stay.

"The prime minister may not understand the feelings of pet lovers or people who have pets at home," the former Thammasat vice rector said.

Deputy government spokeswoman Lalida Persvivatana said on Monday the prime minister had only good intentions. Mr Anutin wanted house owners to quickly move to safety, instead of staying with their pets until rising the floodwater poses a risk for their evacuation.

She said the prime minister's message should not be misinterpreted to mean that he did not care about the safety of animals during the flooding.