KTMphil
Senior member
Interesting conversion
Thailand Floods Reach Crisis Level, Threaten Bangkok
- Thread starter KTMphil
- Start date
KTMphil
Senior member
BANGKOK, Nov 10 -- The flood situation in some areas of Bangkok is stable, and some locations have improved after the waters partially receded due to floodwater diversions into the Chao Phraya River effectively reduced the volume of water in the capital.
The water level in Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road is declining, particularly at the Thai Rath newspaper offices, which saw a 20cm fall.
At Sutthisan intersection, the waters have dried out after the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) operated water pumps at full capacity on a 24-hour basis while the plan to divert water from Khlong Bang Sue to the Chao Phraya River was carried out effectively.
On Phahonyothin Road, the waters eased to 70cm deep, but at Ha Yak Lat Phrao intersection vehicles could not pass.
Meanwhile water from Khlong Lum Jiak overflowed to deluge Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's residence in Soi Yothinpattana 3 in Bueng Kum district. Workers used sandbags to block water overflowing from the drainage system.
In the west of Bangkok, Somdej Phra Pinklao Road from Somdej Phra Pinklao Bridge to Arun Amarin intersection reopened after water level was at 20-30cm high and from Arun Amarin intersection to the Baromrajchonnee intersection reopened as water was 10-15cm deep.
The Hydrographic Department of the Royal Thai Navy said that the water level of the Chao Phraya River at Royal Thai Navy Headquarters reached its highest level at 7.35am at 2.10 metres above mean sea level and would peak again at 4.56pm at 2.02 metres above mean sea level. (MCOT online news)
KTMphil
Senior member
...
KTMphil
Senior member
Nov. 11 (Bloomberg) -- Bangkok officials began paying residents to clear trash after doctors reported more cases of a potentially lethal rat-linked disease in flood-stricken areas.
The municipal government said it will pay 300 baht ($9.70) a day starting yesterday for 60 days to remove garbage in a city that normally produces 8,000 tons of waste daily. Concern that uncollected food scraps may be harboring vermin increased after Health Minister Wittaya Buranasiri said Nov. 9 seven people were being treated for leptospirosis, a bacterial infection spread in water contaminated with rat urine.
“We don’t want the rats to walk around finding food,” said Porntep Siriwanarangsun, director general of Thailand’s Department of Disease Control. “We have to take care of the garbage immediately.”
The specter of infectious epidemics is increasing as the battle to overcome the nation’s worst flood since 1942 stretches into the 15th week. Medical workers treated 4,684 people for influenza, 828 for diarrhea and 246 for conjunctivitis in 127 state shelters the past month in Ayutthaya, Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani provinces, the health ministry said this week.
“We are sending more mobile teams to cope with and combat infectious diseases,” Porntep said in a Nov. 8 interview.
Colds and skin diseases of the feet caused by contact with dirty water are the main complaints treated at evacuation shelters so far, he said, adding that leptospirosis is a key concern because the bacterium may persist in water for a month.
Anti-Garbage Campaign
“We are now in a campaign to get rid of garbage because this will attract rats, and the rat urine will leave the disease on small puddles of water on the ground,” Porntep said.
Humans become infected through direct contact with the urine of rats and other infected animals or with a urine- contaminated environment, according to the World Health Organization. The bacteria enter the body through cuts or abrasions on the skin, or through the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and eyes.
In the early stages of the disease, symptoms include high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, chills, redness of the eyes, abdominal pain, jaundice, hemorrhages in the skin and mucous membranes, vomiting, diarrhea, and rash, the Geneva-based agency said.
Aid workers are delivering pre-prepared meals to displaced families to try to mitigate the risk, said Varabhorn Bhumiswasdi, director of the Priest Hospital in central Bangkok, who is leading a mobile medical team in Rangsit, a flooded area 20 kilometers (13 miles) north of the city center.
At a temporary shelter in Rangsit, villagers set up an outdoor kitchen, storing rice, raw fish and other food items in plastic bags. Trash was piled in a corner of the compound, which was shared with dogs and ducks.
No Cooking
“We tell people not to cook their own food at the shelters because we’re very worried about the garbage,” Varabhorn said. “We also warn them not to buy food from vendors because it may be unhygienic. That’s why we have to supply fresh cooked food three times a day, to prevent food poisoning and diarrhea.”
Varabhorn’s six-person team set up a makeshift clinic on a concrete bridge above the now-submerged village of Lak Hok. Patients are examined on an abandoned bed and dispensed medicines from the back of a truck.
“We’re mostly getting patients suffering from chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease,” she said. “Hospitals are flooded so they need continuing care from us.”
Floods increase the risk of water-borne diseases, including typhoid fever, cholera and hepatitis A, according to the WHO. Stagnant water may also encourage mosquitoes that can spread malaria and dengue fever, the United Nations agency says.
Bed Nets
The UN Children’s Fund is providing 20,000 insecticide- treated mosquito nets to help protect families evacuated to temporary shelters and living in other flood-ravaged areas in Thailand from dengue fever, it said on Oct. 27.
More than 530 people have died because of the floods, which inundated parts of 64 of Thailand’s 77 provinces and affected more than 11 million people, the government said yesterday. Twenty-four provinces are still affected.
“This is an urban emergency in a mega-city of about 10 million people,” said William Aldis, an assistant professor of global health at Bangkok’s Thammasat University and a former WHO representative to Thailand. Aldis said cholera, a life- threatening diarrheal disease spread by Vibrio cholerae bacteria, posed a particular public health threat.
“It’ll just take one person with cholera excreting millions of Vibrio cholerae into the floodwater and potentially into the drinking water, and then you would end up with a serious outbreak,” Aldis said over the telephone from his home in Nonthaburi, on the outskirts of Bangkok.
Cholera Threat
“We’ve seen cholera in cities before, but cholera in the midst of massive flooding within a city -- and where the drinking water is compromised -- the conditions are ripe for a major urban cholera outbreak,” he said. “I don’t know if anybody is prepared for that.”
Water supplies may have already been compromised after flood barriers were torn down by residents angry at being caught behind them, allowing floodwater to flow into canals used to produce tap water.
“So far it’s not very bad because infectious diseases are under control,” said Porntep at the Disease Control Department. “We have not seen salmonella or Vibrio cholerae in any of the flooded areas, and there hasn’t been any serious bacterial infection in diarrhea cases, just from food poisoning.”
Residents without access to safe, potable water are advised to boil publicly supplied tap water to kill any pathogens, he said.
“The tap water may be safe now, but we don’t know if the tap water will stay safe,” Porntep said.
KTMphil
Senior member
Flood Warnins Out for Additional Areas of Bkk
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has issued additional warnings for 22 communities in the Saphan Soong sub-district of the Saphan Soong District. Navamin Road sois 42 and 68 in Klong Khum Sub-district of Buerng Khum District. Seri Thai Road soi 57 in Nuanchan Sub-district and Navamin Road soi 163.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has issued additional warnings for 22 communities in the Saphan Soong sub-district of the Saphan Soong District. Navamin Road sois 42 and 68 in Klong Khum Sub-district of Buerng Khum District. Seri Thai Road soi 57 in Nuanchan Sub-district and Navamin Road soi 163.
KTMphil
Senior member
November is the beginning of the tourist high season in Thailand, a time of year when the travel industry hikes rates in line with the influx of international visitors looking to escape their own chilly climates.
This high season was supposed to be Thailand’s big comeback story, proving the industry could bounce back bigger and better from the 2010 political violence that kept tourists away.
But images of white beaches, spicy tom yum soup and cold bottles of Singha aren't on many people's minds these days. Due to the current flood crisis, most of the country’s hottest tourism destinations are seeing tourist numbers droop to dismal levels.
Floods in Thailand have killed more than 500 people since July, affecting about a third of the nation's 77 provinces.
In a recent interview with media, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Suraphon Svetasreni estimated a loss of up to US$825 million in tourism dollars if the flood situation isn't resolved by the end of the year. But the problem is, very few of Thailand's tourism destinations are flooded.
More on CNNGo: Updated Thailand flood info for tourists
“The media gives the impression all of Thailand is under water but all of our hotels have yet to experience any floods,” said hospitality magnate William Heineke, whose Minor International owns and operates hotels under the Anantara, Four Seasons, Mariottt and St. Regis brands throughout Thailand.
Bangkok floods
Tourists sit outside a McDonald's restaurant protected by sandbags in central Bangkok.
Originally, the TAT predicted a total of 19.5 million visitors for 2011. That number has been dropped to 19.1 million.
“The unsettling thing is we’ve had huge numbers of cancellations, meetings and conferences across the board in the last 30 days, which is sad because none of Thailand's tourist destinations, with the exception of Bangkok, are affected," said Heineke. "So it’s been devastating.”
On a recent visit to Phuket in early November, the tourists clearly hadn't all disappeared, but numbers were far from the heights characteristic of the start of the high season. Many restaurants and bars were empty, while there were plenty of vacant lounge chairs on the shores of even the most popular beaches.
In Bangkok visitors are even harder to spot, a far cry from the usual November crowds that flock to the big tourist areas like Sukhumvit Road, Ratchaprasong, Silom and Khao San Road.
Despite most of Bangkok's major tourism zones remaining flood free, understandably few travelers want to take the risk. Thai government officials have not been able to give a clear picture of what lies ahead as the floods move through Bangkok, leading many governments to advise citizens against travel to the city.
Bangkok businesses hit hard
Everyone from street vendors to night club owners and restaurateurs is feeling the pain, made worse by the fact stressed-out locals aren’t in the mood to spend money these days either.
Andrew Clark, co-owner of popular Sukhumvit Soi 11 nightclub Q Bar, said business has dropped by roughly 30 percent since the flood fears first hit Bangkok last month, but his club is faring better than most.
“Tourism accounts for a large chunk of our business, around 30-40 percent,” he said. “Currently, it accounts for about 70 percent as many locals have fled the city or are preoccupied saving their homes, businesses or themselves from the flood.
“Another problem for all businesses throughout the country is supply issues. It's difficult getting water, soft drinks, beer and many other goods due to production stops, hampered delivery and hoarding.”
Khun Jim, a Khao San Road vendor who's been selling women’s clothing for 20 years, has been struggling to make a living since the flood fears took over Bangkok a month ago.
“Usually I can sell 20 dresses a day,” she said. “These days it’s only one or two dresses a day.
"I was looking forward to this high season but with the bad flood news the tourists were scared off. But some understand, they’ve had floods in their country, so they still come. Others have cancelled their trips, or moved to other places in Thailand."
"People think the water is everywhere"
Internationally-renowned Thai restaurant Nahm, on flood-free Sathorn Road, is also suffering financially due to the floods. Nahm restaurant manager Troy Sutton says they’ve been getting reservation cancellations every day.
“We’re very reliant on tourism,” said Sutton. “Only five percent of our clients are locals -- lots of expats -- but mostly it's tourists. We’ve seen a dramatic drop in recent weeks. I reckon we’re working on about a tenth of what we normally do.
Suvarnabhumi
Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport remains unaffected by floods. (File photo)
“The problem is, until the international press starts to report a little more evenly I don’t think we’ll see a change. People keep calling and asking ‘are we going to be able to get out of the airport, are we going to be able to get around?’ But until I went to the countryside recently for a wedding I didn’t see a single flood. But people think the water is everywhere.”
More on CNNGo: Bangkok residents share their stories
A common complaint among tour operators and industry professionals in Thailand has indeed been the international media's portrayal of the flood situation, in particular its coverage of the closure of the city's secondary airport, Don Muang, which only services a small portion of domestic flights.
“I’ve given up,” said Heineke. “I speak on TV and get backdrops of Thai Airways jets sitting in flood waters and nobody pointing out that’s not the international airport.”
Many viewers allegedly saw the images and assumed the main international airport, Suvarnabhumi, was out of action so they wouldn’t be able to catch connecting flights to other tourism resorts like Phuket or Koh Samui. But as of Friday, Suvarnabhumi and all roads to it are still open as normal.
According to TAT figures, arrivals at Suvarnabhumi reached 958,000 in October, up 6.7 percent year-on-year, but only 72,000 people flew in during the first three days of November, down 25 percent on a year earlier.
Optimism for a quick recovery
Fortunately, said Heineke, Thailand has a tendency to recover fast from crises and this year's high season isn’t lost completely.
“From the tsunami to SARS, I’ve seen that when a threat is over, Thailand always bounces back quicker than anyone expected. I’m confident we’ll see a quick recovery. A lot of people know what Thailand is like and our bookings are extremely strong for December.
"Everybody is living day-by-day to see what’s coming and no one can make an accurate prediction but it’s just a pity it’s not conveyed better by the media."
When the time comes to attract tourists back, Heineke warns the TAT against advising hotel and tour operators to slash prices.
“If someone thinks they’re going to spend their holidays in flood waters dealing with cholera they’re not coming no matter how cheap the rates are," he said. "This is not a rate-driven crisis so you might as well wait till things improve. Thailand is already cheap compared to Australia, Britain, Paris, New York and even Singapore or Hong Kong.
"Right now we just want to get the message out -- a clear message on what’s happening."
Read more: Thai tourism taking 'unfair' beating | CNNGo.com http://www.cnngo.com/bangkok/visit/thai ... z1dOB0V4W9
This high season was supposed to be Thailand’s big comeback story, proving the industry could bounce back bigger and better from the 2010 political violence that kept tourists away.
But images of white beaches, spicy tom yum soup and cold bottles of Singha aren't on many people's minds these days. Due to the current flood crisis, most of the country’s hottest tourism destinations are seeing tourist numbers droop to dismal levels.
Floods in Thailand have killed more than 500 people since July, affecting about a third of the nation's 77 provinces.
In a recent interview with media, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Suraphon Svetasreni estimated a loss of up to US$825 million in tourism dollars if the flood situation isn't resolved by the end of the year. But the problem is, very few of Thailand's tourism destinations are flooded.
More on CNNGo: Updated Thailand flood info for tourists
“The media gives the impression all of Thailand is under water but all of our hotels have yet to experience any floods,” said hospitality magnate William Heineke, whose Minor International owns and operates hotels under the Anantara, Four Seasons, Mariottt and St. Regis brands throughout Thailand.
Bangkok floods
Tourists sit outside a McDonald's restaurant protected by sandbags in central Bangkok.
Originally, the TAT predicted a total of 19.5 million visitors for 2011. That number has been dropped to 19.1 million.
“The unsettling thing is we’ve had huge numbers of cancellations, meetings and conferences across the board in the last 30 days, which is sad because none of Thailand's tourist destinations, with the exception of Bangkok, are affected," said Heineke. "So it’s been devastating.”
On a recent visit to Phuket in early November, the tourists clearly hadn't all disappeared, but numbers were far from the heights characteristic of the start of the high season. Many restaurants and bars were empty, while there were plenty of vacant lounge chairs on the shores of even the most popular beaches.
In Bangkok visitors are even harder to spot, a far cry from the usual November crowds that flock to the big tourist areas like Sukhumvit Road, Ratchaprasong, Silom and Khao San Road.
Despite most of Bangkok's major tourism zones remaining flood free, understandably few travelers want to take the risk. Thai government officials have not been able to give a clear picture of what lies ahead as the floods move through Bangkok, leading many governments to advise citizens against travel to the city.
Bangkok businesses hit hard
Everyone from street vendors to night club owners and restaurateurs is feeling the pain, made worse by the fact stressed-out locals aren’t in the mood to spend money these days either.
Andrew Clark, co-owner of popular Sukhumvit Soi 11 nightclub Q Bar, said business has dropped by roughly 30 percent since the flood fears first hit Bangkok last month, but his club is faring better than most.
“Tourism accounts for a large chunk of our business, around 30-40 percent,” he said. “Currently, it accounts for about 70 percent as many locals have fled the city or are preoccupied saving their homes, businesses or themselves from the flood.
“Another problem for all businesses throughout the country is supply issues. It's difficult getting water, soft drinks, beer and many other goods due to production stops, hampered delivery and hoarding.”
Khun Jim, a Khao San Road vendor who's been selling women’s clothing for 20 years, has been struggling to make a living since the flood fears took over Bangkok a month ago.
“Usually I can sell 20 dresses a day,” she said. “These days it’s only one or two dresses a day.
"I was looking forward to this high season but with the bad flood news the tourists were scared off. But some understand, they’ve had floods in their country, so they still come. Others have cancelled their trips, or moved to other places in Thailand."
"People think the water is everywhere"
Internationally-renowned Thai restaurant Nahm, on flood-free Sathorn Road, is also suffering financially due to the floods. Nahm restaurant manager Troy Sutton says they’ve been getting reservation cancellations every day.
“We’re very reliant on tourism,” said Sutton. “Only five percent of our clients are locals -- lots of expats -- but mostly it's tourists. We’ve seen a dramatic drop in recent weeks. I reckon we’re working on about a tenth of what we normally do.
Suvarnabhumi
Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport remains unaffected by floods. (File photo)
“The problem is, until the international press starts to report a little more evenly I don’t think we’ll see a change. People keep calling and asking ‘are we going to be able to get out of the airport, are we going to be able to get around?’ But until I went to the countryside recently for a wedding I didn’t see a single flood. But people think the water is everywhere.”
More on CNNGo: Bangkok residents share their stories
A common complaint among tour operators and industry professionals in Thailand has indeed been the international media's portrayal of the flood situation, in particular its coverage of the closure of the city's secondary airport, Don Muang, which only services a small portion of domestic flights.
“I’ve given up,” said Heineke. “I speak on TV and get backdrops of Thai Airways jets sitting in flood waters and nobody pointing out that’s not the international airport.”
Many viewers allegedly saw the images and assumed the main international airport, Suvarnabhumi, was out of action so they wouldn’t be able to catch connecting flights to other tourism resorts like Phuket or Koh Samui. But as of Friday, Suvarnabhumi and all roads to it are still open as normal.
According to TAT figures, arrivals at Suvarnabhumi reached 958,000 in October, up 6.7 percent year-on-year, but only 72,000 people flew in during the first three days of November, down 25 percent on a year earlier.
Optimism for a quick recovery
Fortunately, said Heineke, Thailand has a tendency to recover fast from crises and this year's high season isn’t lost completely.
“From the tsunami to SARS, I’ve seen that when a threat is over, Thailand always bounces back quicker than anyone expected. I’m confident we’ll see a quick recovery. A lot of people know what Thailand is like and our bookings are extremely strong for December.
"Everybody is living day-by-day to see what’s coming and no one can make an accurate prediction but it’s just a pity it’s not conveyed better by the media."
When the time comes to attract tourists back, Heineke warns the TAT against advising hotel and tour operators to slash prices.
“If someone thinks they’re going to spend their holidays in flood waters dealing with cholera they’re not coming no matter how cheap the rates are," he said. "This is not a rate-driven crisis so you might as well wait till things improve. Thailand is already cheap compared to Australia, Britain, Paris, New York and even Singapore or Hong Kong.
"Right now we just want to get the message out -- a clear message on what’s happening."
Read more: Thai tourism taking 'unfair' beating | CNNGo.com http://www.cnngo.com/bangkok/visit/thai ... z1dOB0V4W9
KTMphil
Senior member
Bangkok, Thailand (CNN) -- The commercial heart of Thailand's capital is still at risk of flooding, with the next 10 days likely to be crucial in the battle to keep dry.
So far the Central Business District, or CBD, has been shielded by a series of flood defenses backed up by huge pumps which suck the floodwater seeping down from the north of the city into the canals. From here the water is funneled into the main Chao Phraya River, where officials say it then fans out toward the sea.
Floods in Thailand have killed more than 500 people since July, affecting about a third of the nation's 77 provinces. The country of 67 million is also home to electronics manufacturing and automotive companies that have had to stop production because of the flooding, causing a ripple effect through the industry.
According to Seri Supparathit, a water engineer who has acted as consultant for the government during the crisis, Bangkok's central business district will survive the watery onslaught as long as the pumps keep working.
"If we can maintain the system for the next 10 days, then we can keep the CBD free from floods," he said.
Thailand's tough road to recovery
Thailand's tough road to recovery
Thailand battles worst flood in 50 years
Bangkok floods create trash problem
"But if the pumps break down, we could see more major flooding. We don't know the condition of the pumps."
Supparathit added that China and Japan have now provided pumps as well as valuable expertise.
The pumping stations are the front line in this war against the filthy torrent. The giant pumps sit at the side of canals on the fringes of central Bangkok, acting as the boundaries between the dry land on one side and the flood-hit city on the other. The business
Aside from the huge volume of water, those manning the pumps 24 hours a day have their hands full clearing out huge amounts of debris floating into the system and threatening to clog it up. It's back-breaking work as city workers carry baskets full of foul-smelling rubbish to the convoy of trucks pulling up nearby.
"The system hasn't broken yet," said one of the workers optimistically when asked how the pumps were holding up.
According to Bangkok's Irrigation Department, this year's devastating floods in northern Thailand created an estimated 14 billion cubic meters of run-off. The Bangkok Post quoted spokesman Boonsanong Suchatpong as saying about three billion cubic meters of this water is in the Chao Phraya River, with 3.5 billion cubic meters in the fields in the central provinces north of Bangkok.
The rest, he said, has penetrated flood walls and inundated many parts of the capital -- with depths of up to three meters (9.8 feet) reported in northern districts, such as Rangsit and Lumlukka. But with about 400 million cubic meters of water being drained into the sea every day, the floodwater could be drained out of the capital in 11 days, he said.
Despite this optimism, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is throwing up more flood barriers to protect the center of the city. A system of half-ton sandbags known as "Big Bag" dikes stretching 6 kilometers (3.72 miles) is almost complete along the main Rangsit Muang Ek road, which snakes out to the north of Bangkok.
But Supparathit warned that some angry residents in the worst-hit areas of northern Bangkok have been destroying flood barriers because they feel their districts have been sacrificed to protect the CBD. "Upstream the flood level is three meters, while further downstream it is less than 0.5 meters (1.6 feet)," he explained. "So the people upstream say this is unfair for them." He said these people needed better information from the government.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Yingluk Shinawatra appealed for people to consider their actions.
"Please don't destroy the big-bag dike and other barriers," Yingluck wrote on her official Facebook page. "Please think about the overall benefit so we can get through this problem together."
"But what should we do?" asked Romeo Romei, a factory owner from Rangsit. "We are just left to deal with water that is going nowhere."
Many Bangkok residents opted to to defy government advice to evacuate and remained behind to protect their homes. As a result they are worried about tainted water, disease and sanitation, as massive piles of garbage stack up around them.
Tide marks on the walls of many of their houses in this part of the city show that the water level has dropped only slightly in almost a month, which suggests the 11-day prediction for the floodwaters to drain out of Bangkok may be ambitious.
"It will take at least a month," said Supparathit of Thailand's worst floods in 50 years. But that of course depends on those mighty pumps.
So far the Central Business District, or CBD, has been shielded by a series of flood defenses backed up by huge pumps which suck the floodwater seeping down from the north of the city into the canals. From here the water is funneled into the main Chao Phraya River, where officials say it then fans out toward the sea.
Floods in Thailand have killed more than 500 people since July, affecting about a third of the nation's 77 provinces. The country of 67 million is also home to electronics manufacturing and automotive companies that have had to stop production because of the flooding, causing a ripple effect through the industry.
According to Seri Supparathit, a water engineer who has acted as consultant for the government during the crisis, Bangkok's central business district will survive the watery onslaught as long as the pumps keep working.
"If we can maintain the system for the next 10 days, then we can keep the CBD free from floods," he said.
Thailand's tough road to recovery
Thailand's tough road to recovery
Thailand battles worst flood in 50 years
Bangkok floods create trash problem
"But if the pumps break down, we could see more major flooding. We don't know the condition of the pumps."
Supparathit added that China and Japan have now provided pumps as well as valuable expertise.
The pumping stations are the front line in this war against the filthy torrent. The giant pumps sit at the side of canals on the fringes of central Bangkok, acting as the boundaries between the dry land on one side and the flood-hit city on the other. The business
Aside from the huge volume of water, those manning the pumps 24 hours a day have their hands full clearing out huge amounts of debris floating into the system and threatening to clog it up. It's back-breaking work as city workers carry baskets full of foul-smelling rubbish to the convoy of trucks pulling up nearby.
"The system hasn't broken yet," said one of the workers optimistically when asked how the pumps were holding up.
According to Bangkok's Irrigation Department, this year's devastating floods in northern Thailand created an estimated 14 billion cubic meters of run-off. The Bangkok Post quoted spokesman Boonsanong Suchatpong as saying about three billion cubic meters of this water is in the Chao Phraya River, with 3.5 billion cubic meters in the fields in the central provinces north of Bangkok.
The rest, he said, has penetrated flood walls and inundated many parts of the capital -- with depths of up to three meters (9.8 feet) reported in northern districts, such as Rangsit and Lumlukka. But with about 400 million cubic meters of water being drained into the sea every day, the floodwater could be drained out of the capital in 11 days, he said.
Despite this optimism, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is throwing up more flood barriers to protect the center of the city. A system of half-ton sandbags known as "Big Bag" dikes stretching 6 kilometers (3.72 miles) is almost complete along the main Rangsit Muang Ek road, which snakes out to the north of Bangkok.
But Supparathit warned that some angry residents in the worst-hit areas of northern Bangkok have been destroying flood barriers because they feel their districts have been sacrificed to protect the CBD. "Upstream the flood level is three meters, while further downstream it is less than 0.5 meters (1.6 feet)," he explained. "So the people upstream say this is unfair for them." He said these people needed better information from the government.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Yingluk Shinawatra appealed for people to consider their actions.
"Please don't destroy the big-bag dike and other barriers," Yingluck wrote on her official Facebook page. "Please think about the overall benefit so we can get through this problem together."
"But what should we do?" asked Romeo Romei, a factory owner from Rangsit. "We are just left to deal with water that is going nowhere."
Many Bangkok residents opted to to defy government advice to evacuate and remained behind to protect their homes. As a result they are worried about tainted water, disease and sanitation, as massive piles of garbage stack up around them.
Tide marks on the walls of many of their houses in this part of the city show that the water level has dropped only slightly in almost a month, which suggests the 11-day prediction for the floodwaters to drain out of Bangkok may be ambitious.
"It will take at least a month," said Supparathit of Thailand's worst floods in 50 years. But that of course depends on those mighty pumps.
KTMphil
Senior member
Yingluck non-committal on inner Bangkok; Ban, Clinton to visit Bangkok on Wednesday
The flood situation in Bangkok is getting better with water receding in many places, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said yesterday, although she declined to say how far the flood water would stray into inner Bangkok and whether the Bangchan Industrial Estate will be safe.
Yingluck said the flood situation in Bangkok would be less severe than in the provinces, although there will be a high-tide period in mid-November. She said water drainage in the west of Bangkok needs further improvement.
Answering a reporter's question on how far she expected the water to reach inner Bangkok, the premier said, "It's difficult to say. I have to see the situation on November 13 [today] first as we are doing something to prevent the flood and we need to see to what extent it works."
If the water is drained to Saen Saeb Canal and the sluice watergate can work well, everything would be all right, she said.
Earlier, in her weekly television and radio programme, the prime minister said the "big bag" barriers - the temporary flood-prevention dykes made from 1-2 tonne sandbags - could delay water coming from the north of Bangkok, allowing time for better water management to the east of the capital.
Yingluck said she had ordered the Royal Irrigation Department to drain the water in the upper areas of the big-bag line to Rangsit Canal and then to the sea as soon as possible. Besides the order for the Interior Ministry to give help and compensation to residents of the areas affected by the use of big bags, which would slow down water drainage from their areas, the government had provided 70 large pumps, according to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's request, so that water can be drained faster.
The water drainage must be done quickly while the sea tide is not so high, she said.
In the west of Bangkok, Yingluck said, the repair of broken dykes at 14 points was expected to be finished by the weekend. If successful, then water trapped in Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi and the west of Bangkok should recede.
It is hard to make the west of Bangkok flood-free as the dyke system on this side is not as strong as in the east of Bangkok, she said. Moreover, the canal system was aligned in a vertical direction. The government had ordered canal dredging to expedite water drainage to the sea, Yingluck added.
The Transport Ministry is expediting recovery of road No 340, which was earlier flooded, to serve as a back-up road to the South in case Rama II Road becomes unusable, she said.
Regarding compensation, Yingluck said the Cabinet on Tuesday had approved Bt3.1 billion assistance for over 600,000 households in 30 districts of Bangkok. Each household would get Bt5,000 within 45 days.
Meanwhile, over 470,000 flood victims, or 90 per cent of the total, in 36 provinces have already received compensation. The Government Savings Bank would give the money to the remaining victims by Tuesday, she said.
Up to Bt30,000 assistance would be paid if a victim's house is fully damaged; up to Bt20,000 would be paid in case of partial house damage; up to Bt25,000 assistance in case of death and up to another Bt25,000 in case of death of the head of the family, she said.
Yingluck said the flood situation in the central region was improving, with many provinces having almost returned to normal, including Ayutthaya, Nakhon Sawan, Sing Buri and Ang Thong. Some provinces had organised "big cleaning day" campaigns to clean up their provinces and bring them back to normal.
Yingluck expressed gratitude for help from foreign countries such as Switzerland, the Netherlands and the United States and also thanked the MPs for the vote on the first reading of the 2012 Budget Bill. She promised the money would be used transparently and for the best benefit of the people.
On Wednesday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will visit Thailand. They will visit flood-affected areas in Bangkok in separate missions before discussing assistance to Thailand, Yingluck said.
She would also clarify the country's plan in different phases: rescue, restore and rebuild, she said.
Yingluck said she was scheduled to attend the Asean Summit in Bali from Thursday to Saturday. She said she would clarify to the international community the flood situation and rehabilitation plan so as to rebuild confidence in Thailand among foreign investors.
During the Summit, she will also meet US President Barack Obama, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and Chinese President Hu Jintao.
The flood situation in Bangkok is getting better with water receding in many places, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said yesterday, although she declined to say how far the flood water would stray into inner Bangkok and whether the Bangchan Industrial Estate will be safe.
Yingluck said the flood situation in Bangkok would be less severe than in the provinces, although there will be a high-tide period in mid-November. She said water drainage in the west of Bangkok needs further improvement.
Answering a reporter's question on how far she expected the water to reach inner Bangkok, the premier said, "It's difficult to say. I have to see the situation on November 13 [today] first as we are doing something to prevent the flood and we need to see to what extent it works."
If the water is drained to Saen Saeb Canal and the sluice watergate can work well, everything would be all right, she said.
Earlier, in her weekly television and radio programme, the prime minister said the "big bag" barriers - the temporary flood-prevention dykes made from 1-2 tonne sandbags - could delay water coming from the north of Bangkok, allowing time for better water management to the east of the capital.
Yingluck said she had ordered the Royal Irrigation Department to drain the water in the upper areas of the big-bag line to Rangsit Canal and then to the sea as soon as possible. Besides the order for the Interior Ministry to give help and compensation to residents of the areas affected by the use of big bags, which would slow down water drainage from their areas, the government had provided 70 large pumps, according to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's request, so that water can be drained faster.
The water drainage must be done quickly while the sea tide is not so high, she said.
In the west of Bangkok, Yingluck said, the repair of broken dykes at 14 points was expected to be finished by the weekend. If successful, then water trapped in Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi and the west of Bangkok should recede.
It is hard to make the west of Bangkok flood-free as the dyke system on this side is not as strong as in the east of Bangkok, she said. Moreover, the canal system was aligned in a vertical direction. The government had ordered canal dredging to expedite water drainage to the sea, Yingluck added.
The Transport Ministry is expediting recovery of road No 340, which was earlier flooded, to serve as a back-up road to the South in case Rama II Road becomes unusable, she said.
Regarding compensation, Yingluck said the Cabinet on Tuesday had approved Bt3.1 billion assistance for over 600,000 households in 30 districts of Bangkok. Each household would get Bt5,000 within 45 days.
Meanwhile, over 470,000 flood victims, or 90 per cent of the total, in 36 provinces have already received compensation. The Government Savings Bank would give the money to the remaining victims by Tuesday, she said.
Up to Bt30,000 assistance would be paid if a victim's house is fully damaged; up to Bt20,000 would be paid in case of partial house damage; up to Bt25,000 assistance in case of death and up to another Bt25,000 in case of death of the head of the family, she said.
Yingluck said the flood situation in the central region was improving, with many provinces having almost returned to normal, including Ayutthaya, Nakhon Sawan, Sing Buri and Ang Thong. Some provinces had organised "big cleaning day" campaigns to clean up their provinces and bring them back to normal.
Yingluck expressed gratitude for help from foreign countries such as Switzerland, the Netherlands and the United States and also thanked the MPs for the vote on the first reading of the 2012 Budget Bill. She promised the money would be used transparently and for the best benefit of the people.
On Wednesday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will visit Thailand. They will visit flood-affected areas in Bangkok in separate missions before discussing assistance to Thailand, Yingluck said.
She would also clarify the country's plan in different phases: rescue, restore and rebuild, she said.
Yingluck said she was scheduled to attend the Asean Summit in Bali from Thursday to Saturday. She said she would clarify to the international community the flood situation and rehabilitation plan so as to rebuild confidence in Thailand among foreign investors.
During the Summit, she will also meet US President Barack Obama, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and Chinese President Hu Jintao.
KTMphil
Senior member
Kraitos (owner of Thailand Circuit Racetrack) getting ready to do some work at the track in Nakhon Chaisi 57KM west of Bangkok
KTMphil
Senior member
...
KTMphil
Senior member
BANGKOK, Nov 13 - Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra on Sunday issued an evacuation advisory for three communities on Rama II Road in Bang Khun Thian District as flood is threatening Rama II Road, the Thai capital’s main route to the South.
The BMA believes that the floodwaters which have flowed into some parts of Bang Khun Thian district are rising and pose a danger to the lives and property of residents in three communities -– a National Housing Authority community, the Sabsin Pattana community and the Chueam Samphan community.
It advised residents to move their possessions to high ground and evacuate to BMA temporary shelters or safe areas.
The evacuation advisory was issued as flooding in western Bangkok threatens Rama II Road, the main remaining route for motorists evacuating the capital for the South.
Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Khlong Bang Sue along Phaholyothin Road has dropped two centimeters to 76 centimetres above mean sea level. The canal has received floodwater drained from Phaholyothin, Vibhavadi and Ratchadapisek roads.
Floodwater at Hayak Lat Phrao intersection also dropped the level that traffic island can be seen above the water.
On Phaholyothin Road, floodwaters outside Skytrain’s Mochit station, Chatuchak MRT underground station, and Chatuchak weekend market has dropped to 15-30cm deep, leaving motorcycles and other traffic able to pass.
Nearby Kamphaengphet junction approaching the Marketing Organization for Farmers Market is dry again, after the flood has receded.
On Vibhavadi Road, the Department of Drainage and Sewerage installed additional pumps at Pumping Station 5, north of Chatuchak district, raising the total number of pumps to six, all working at full capacity, to drain water from Vibhavadi Road, causing floodwater to drop on Sunday morning.
Meanwhile, water in Ratchadapisek Road began to recede from the Ratchada-Lat Phrao Intersection to Khlong Bang Sue, and floodwaters still has not crossed the bridge over Khlong Bang Sue, deeper into the road leading to inner Bangkok. (MCOT online news)
The BMA believes that the floodwaters which have flowed into some parts of Bang Khun Thian district are rising and pose a danger to the lives and property of residents in three communities -– a National Housing Authority community, the Sabsin Pattana community and the Chueam Samphan community.
It advised residents to move their possessions to high ground and evacuate to BMA temporary shelters or safe areas.
The evacuation advisory was issued as flooding in western Bangkok threatens Rama II Road, the main remaining route for motorists evacuating the capital for the South.
Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Khlong Bang Sue along Phaholyothin Road has dropped two centimeters to 76 centimetres above mean sea level. The canal has received floodwater drained from Phaholyothin, Vibhavadi and Ratchadapisek roads.
Floodwater at Hayak Lat Phrao intersection also dropped the level that traffic island can be seen above the water.
On Phaholyothin Road, floodwaters outside Skytrain’s Mochit station, Chatuchak MRT underground station, and Chatuchak weekend market has dropped to 15-30cm deep, leaving motorcycles and other traffic able to pass.
Nearby Kamphaengphet junction approaching the Marketing Organization for Farmers Market is dry again, after the flood has receded.
On Vibhavadi Road, the Department of Drainage and Sewerage installed additional pumps at Pumping Station 5, north of Chatuchak district, raising the total number of pumps to six, all working at full capacity, to drain water from Vibhavadi Road, causing floodwater to drop on Sunday morning.
Meanwhile, water in Ratchadapisek Road began to recede from the Ratchada-Lat Phrao Intersection to Khlong Bang Sue, and floodwaters still has not crossed the bridge over Khlong Bang Sue, deeper into the road leading to inner Bangkok. (MCOT online news)
KTMphil
Senior member
...
KTMphil
Senior member
Floods Scare Off Foreign Tourists
The director of Suvarnabhumi Airport has admitted that news reports about the flood disaster in Thailand has significantly cut down the number of visiting tourists.
The airport is aiming to distribute reports about the actual situation to foreigners in order to ease their concerns.
President of the Airports of Thailand, or AOT, Somchai Sawasdipol, who is also the acting director of Suvarnabhumi Airport, has admitted that news reports of the flood disaster in the country has significantly cut down the number of travelers coming through the airport.
Somchai reported that during the past three to four days, the average number of passengers has been around 100,000, dropping from a usual number of 130,000.
At the same time, flights have also decreased from 900 to 800 per day.
At any rate, the AOT will try to inform foreign tourists about the current flood situation.
Somchai expressed confidence that Suvarnabhumi Airport will not be flooded and tourists can still travel to the country as normal.
Moreover, Suvarnabhumi Airport has invited representatives from surrounding communities to discuss its flood prevention plan.
The communities asked the AOT to help provide them with water pumps and fuel.
In addition, they also want the airport to help dredge surrounding canals in preparation for floods.
The director of Suvarnabhumi Airport has admitted that news reports about the flood disaster in Thailand has significantly cut down the number of visiting tourists.
The airport is aiming to distribute reports about the actual situation to foreigners in order to ease their concerns.
President of the Airports of Thailand, or AOT, Somchai Sawasdipol, who is also the acting director of Suvarnabhumi Airport, has admitted that news reports of the flood disaster in the country has significantly cut down the number of travelers coming through the airport.
Somchai reported that during the past three to four days, the average number of passengers has been around 100,000, dropping from a usual number of 130,000.
At the same time, flights have also decreased from 900 to 800 per day.
At any rate, the AOT will try to inform foreign tourists about the current flood situation.
Somchai expressed confidence that Suvarnabhumi Airport will not be flooded and tourists can still travel to the country as normal.
Moreover, Suvarnabhumi Airport has invited representatives from surrounding communities to discuss its flood prevention plan.
The communities asked the AOT to help provide them with water pumps and fuel.
In addition, they also want the airport to help dredge surrounding canals in preparation for floods.
KTMphil
Senior member
Thailand Circuit
Great idea
Great idea
BWG950S
Senior Member
Yes indeed a great idea but only 2 questions.
How did they get it up there?
How they going to get it down? That would make an interesting photo.
How did they get it up there?
How they going to get it down? That would make an interesting photo.
KTMphil
Senior member
..
KTMphil
Senior member
Cars being looted while parked up on the fly-overs to avoid the floods - sad to see.
KTMphil
Senior member
Here we go again
KTMphil
Senior member
Northern flood arrives in Ayutthaya
[url]http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/311921/floods-arrive-in-ayutthaya [/URL]
Six districts of Ayutthaya province have been hit by flooding, governor Witthaya Phiewphong said on Tuesday.
They are Bang Ban, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Sena, Phak Hai, Bang Pa-in and Bang Sai districts.
Mr Witthaya said he had sent an urgent order to district chiefs and local administrations to watch and provide assistance for affected riverside communities as needed.
Overflows from the Chao Phraya river have swamped Wat Boonkannawas in tambon Sai Noi of Bang Ban district where construction of a floodwall around the temple has not yet been completed.
A camp area for construction workers and heavy machinery has been inundated.
Royal Irrigation Department director-general Lertviroj Kowattana said the high water level in the Chao Phraya River is caused by days of continuous heavy rain but the situation is still under control.
At its peak on Tuesday morning, the water level of the Chao Phraya in Kamphaeng Phet province was measured 161.40mm.
The water flow rate from the Chao Phraya dam towards Chai Nat province was 1,800 cubic metres a second, Mr Lertviroj said.
"At this rate, areas at the end of the dam won't be affected except for some low-lying areas where flooding usually occurs every year," he said.
Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi said he, as chairman of the government-appointed Water and Flood Management Commission, wanted to apologise to the people of Sukhothai after the flood swollen Yom River broke through eroded levees beneath flood walls and swamped parts of the city.
"I would like to say sorry to the Sukhothai people as I was not able to know about the eroded levees," Mr Plodprasop said. "I've ordered officials to quickly repair them."
The flood situation in Sukhothai was stabilising and the water level should begin to recede over the next couple of days, the minister said.
He said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra had instructed officials to inspect old flood walls to prevent a recurrence of the problem in Sukhothai.
State Railway of Thailand deputy governor Kamol Tangkijcharoenchai said repairs have been completed on the flood damaged rail track in Lamphun province.
Full services on the line north to Chiang Mai resumed on Tuesday afternoon following tests on the safety of the repaired track.
Meanwhile, Thai netizens have come up with a flood-related competion they call the Tharalympics (thara means water in Thai) following news of flooding in the provinces.
In the Tharalympic games, people have to race against the surging water by doing various activities such as lifting their belongings to higher ground, piling up sandbags, storing food and walking through flood water.
In 2011, Thailand was hit by the country's worst flooding in 50 years. The GDP shrank 10.7% in October-December of last year from the previous quarter.
View attachment 9847View attachment 9848View attachment 9849View attachment 9850View attachment 9851View attachment 9852
- Published: 11/09/2012 at 06:34 PM
- Online news: Local News
[url]http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/311921/floods-arrive-in-ayutthaya [/URL]
Six districts of Ayutthaya province have been hit by flooding, governor Witthaya Phiewphong said on Tuesday.
They are Bang Ban, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Sena, Phak Hai, Bang Pa-in and Bang Sai districts.
Mr Witthaya said he had sent an urgent order to district chiefs and local administrations to watch and provide assistance for affected riverside communities as needed.
Overflows from the Chao Phraya river have swamped Wat Boonkannawas in tambon Sai Noi of Bang Ban district where construction of a floodwall around the temple has not yet been completed.
A camp area for construction workers and heavy machinery has been inundated.
Royal Irrigation Department director-general Lertviroj Kowattana said the high water level in the Chao Phraya River is caused by days of continuous heavy rain but the situation is still under control.
At its peak on Tuesday morning, the water level of the Chao Phraya in Kamphaeng Phet province was measured 161.40mm.
The water flow rate from the Chao Phraya dam towards Chai Nat province was 1,800 cubic metres a second, Mr Lertviroj said.
"At this rate, areas at the end of the dam won't be affected except for some low-lying areas where flooding usually occurs every year," he said.
Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi said he, as chairman of the government-appointed Water and Flood Management Commission, wanted to apologise to the people of Sukhothai after the flood swollen Yom River broke through eroded levees beneath flood walls and swamped parts of the city.
"I would like to say sorry to the Sukhothai people as I was not able to know about the eroded levees," Mr Plodprasop said. "I've ordered officials to quickly repair them."
The flood situation in Sukhothai was stabilising and the water level should begin to recede over the next couple of days, the minister said.
He said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra had instructed officials to inspect old flood walls to prevent a recurrence of the problem in Sukhothai.
State Railway of Thailand deputy governor Kamol Tangkijcharoenchai said repairs have been completed on the flood damaged rail track in Lamphun province.
Full services on the line north to Chiang Mai resumed on Tuesday afternoon following tests on the safety of the repaired track.
Meanwhile, Thai netizens have come up with a flood-related competion they call the Tharalympics (thara means water in Thai) following news of flooding in the provinces.
In the Tharalympic games, people have to race against the surging water by doing various activities such as lifting their belongings to higher ground, piling up sandbags, storing food and walking through flood water.
In 2011, Thailand was hit by the country's worst flooding in 50 years. The GDP shrank 10.7% in October-December of last year from the previous quarter.
View attachment 9847View attachment 9848View attachment 9849View attachment 9850View attachment 9851View attachment 9852
KTMphil
Senior member
Bt120billion anti-flood budget exhausted
BANGKOK, Sept 12 - The government's Bt120 billion budget for the country's massive flood prevention scheme has already been distributed to all state agencies concerned, according Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong.
The concurrent finance minister said the budget was mainly for construction of anti-flood dykes, dredging of canals, flood gate repair and road elevation work.
He said the government has offered low-interest loans, combined with a subsidy at two thirds of the cost, for construction of flood prevention walls at industrial estates severely battered by torrential rains and flash floods last year. The privately-owned industrial estates are mostly in the northern suburbs of Bangkok.
Reporting that construction is almost complete at six industrial estates, he gave assurances that the "economic zone" inside which the industrial estates are located will be flood free this year.
On the mammoth investment of Bt350 billion budget for long-term flood prevention, the finance minister said the government is assessing proposals for various projects from the private sector, both domestic and international, after which concessions will be awarded. (MCOT online news)
BANGKOK, Sept 12 - The government's Bt120 billion budget for the country's massive flood prevention scheme has already been distributed to all state agencies concerned, according Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong.
The concurrent finance minister said the budget was mainly for construction of anti-flood dykes, dredging of canals, flood gate repair and road elevation work.
He said the government has offered low-interest loans, combined with a subsidy at two thirds of the cost, for construction of flood prevention walls at industrial estates severely battered by torrential rains and flash floods last year. The privately-owned industrial estates are mostly in the northern suburbs of Bangkok.
Reporting that construction is almost complete at six industrial estates, he gave assurances that the "economic zone" inside which the industrial estates are located will be flood free this year.
On the mammoth investment of Bt350 billion budget for long-term flood prevention, the finance minister said the government is assessing proposals for various projects from the private sector, both domestic and international, after which concessions will be awarded. (MCOT online news)
KTMphil
Senior member
Thai health chief urges 8 Chao Phraya River provinces to brace for possible flood
BANGKOK, Sept 11 - Thailand's public health minister urged health centres in eight provinces along the Chao Phraya River to prepare for potential floods following current flooding in several provinces upstream.
Public Health Minister Wittaya Buranasiri said three public health centres in Sukhothai and Ayutthaya provinces have been flooded, but remain open for service. In Ayutthaya, two hospitals in Bang Ban district have been intruded by water up to 80cm deep, while the Thai Traditional Medicine Center in Sukhothai is under a half metre of water.
The authorities in eight provinces along the Chao Phraya River are urged to keep watch on the situation and provide mobile medical units to assist flood victims immediately.
The ministry of public health today sent 4,000 flood medical kits to Ayutthaya province, 2,000 to Sukhothai, and 1,000 to Chai Nat. The minister said another 300,000 kits are now in stock at the ministry for further allocation.
Flood-related relief supplies have been requested by affected provinces including Sukhothai, Phrae, and Uttaradit. More supplies will be sent to these provinces, he noted.
Mr Wittaya said more than 10 mobile medical units helped flood victims during Sunday and Monday in flooded areas in Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, Chai Nat, Uttaradit, Chiang Rai, Nakhon Sawan, Lampang, Suphan Buri, Pichit, Uthai Thani, Phetchabun, Sa Kaeo, and Saraburi.
More than 800 patients were initially impacted by floods. Most suffered from cold, headache, muscular pain, or were injured by sharp objects in the water.
Toilets remain a critical problem, as up to 90 per cent are located on the ground floor where floods invade.
Public Health Minister warned the public of flood-related digestive system diseases such as diarrhea, and asked them to apply sanitary measures by disposing faeces in black bags, covered with lime or disinfectants. (MCOT online news)
BANGKOK, Sept 11 - Thailand's public health minister urged health centres in eight provinces along the Chao Phraya River to prepare for potential floods following current flooding in several provinces upstream.
Public Health Minister Wittaya Buranasiri said three public health centres in Sukhothai and Ayutthaya provinces have been flooded, but remain open for service. In Ayutthaya, two hospitals in Bang Ban district have been intruded by water up to 80cm deep, while the Thai Traditional Medicine Center in Sukhothai is under a half metre of water.
The authorities in eight provinces along the Chao Phraya River are urged to keep watch on the situation and provide mobile medical units to assist flood victims immediately.
The ministry of public health today sent 4,000 flood medical kits to Ayutthaya province, 2,000 to Sukhothai, and 1,000 to Chai Nat. The minister said another 300,000 kits are now in stock at the ministry for further allocation.
Flood-related relief supplies have been requested by affected provinces including Sukhothai, Phrae, and Uttaradit. More supplies will be sent to these provinces, he noted.
Mr Wittaya said more than 10 mobile medical units helped flood victims during Sunday and Monday in flooded areas in Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, Chai Nat, Uttaradit, Chiang Rai, Nakhon Sawan, Lampang, Suphan Buri, Pichit, Uthai Thani, Phetchabun, Sa Kaeo, and Saraburi.
More than 800 patients were initially impacted by floods. Most suffered from cold, headache, muscular pain, or were injured by sharp objects in the water.
Toilets remain a critical problem, as up to 90 per cent are located on the ground floor where floods invade.
Public Health Minister warned the public of flood-related digestive system diseases such as diarrhea, and asked them to apply sanitary measures by disposing faeces in black bags, covered with lime or disinfectants. (MCOT online news)
KTMphil
Senior member
No repeat of 2011' flood horror
Chularat Saengpassa,
Chutarat Tipnampa
The Nation
File photo
Key govt water chiefs anxious to allay concerns caused by crises in North
BANGKOK: -- Key figures on the Water and Flood Management Commission are trying their utmost to allay mounting fears the flood season this year, which has caused widespread chaos in many provinces already, will turn into a replay of last year's massive crisis.
"Flooding may hit some areas this year but definitely not on the scale seen in 2011," Royol Chitradon, director of the Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute and a member of a WFMC committee, said yesterday.
"The number of storms will be fewer than that in 2011," he said.
The heart of Sukhothai is already ravaged, while Phichit, Phitsanulok and Ayutthaya are also struggling with flood water.
Science Minister Plodprasob Surassawadee, head of the WFMC, said authorities would try today to plug all holes in the floodwall in Sukhothai that allowed the town centre swamped.
He said the Office of National Water and Flood Management Policy would meet at 1pm today to identify flood-risk zones. "From now on, we must be able to predict floods and prepare resources for prevention and relief operations."
Royol said weather this year was under the influence of El Nino, not La Nina like last year, while waterways had already been dredged and water-retention areas prepared.
"All these factors suggest that even if flooding strikes, it will not be as severe as last year," he said.
In 2011, the country suffered its worst flood in decades, with over 800 people killed, seven industrial estates swamped along with homes of millions in Bangkok and elsewhere.
The Chao Phraya River in Nakhon Sawan was flowing at just 1,829 cubic metres per second, much less than 3,500 at one point last year, he said.
The Bhumibol and Sirikit dams were now discharging less than five million cubic metres per day of water downstream, he said. "Last year, it was 30 to 50 million cubic metres."
Samai Jai-in, an adviser to the WFMC committee on the water situation and allocation, said that at this time last year, both Bhumibol and Sirikit were already brimming.
'Dams can take more'
"But as of now, these two dams will be able to take in 8 billion cubic metres more," he said.
Thailand had not yet faced the full brunt of any storm this year.
"Last year, five storms directly pounded the country," he said.
The Sanba tropical storm, which was forming in the Philippines, would probably head to Taiwan and China rather than Thailand, he said.
"Besides all this, we have a well-integrated water database now. We also have pumps and devices to drain the run-off," he said.
"In the current circumstances, only a storm surge or at least five storms will be able to throw Thailand into a flood crisis of the dimensions it experienced last year."
Royol said continuing flooding in some provinces was mainly the result of unprecedented downpours.
"In low-lying areas, it will take several weeks to expel the water. Because the North is higher, run-off from there can flow down to the low-lying Central region within one week," he said.
Train services to the North resumed last night after repairs were completed on a stretch of tracks that was left hanging in the air when a flash flood washed out a hillside in Lamphun.
-- The Nation 2012-09-12
Chularat Saengpassa,
Chutarat Tipnampa
The Nation
File photo
Key govt water chiefs anxious to allay concerns caused by crises in North
BANGKOK: -- Key figures on the Water and Flood Management Commission are trying their utmost to allay mounting fears the flood season this year, which has caused widespread chaos in many provinces already, will turn into a replay of last year's massive crisis.
"Flooding may hit some areas this year but definitely not on the scale seen in 2011," Royol Chitradon, director of the Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute and a member of a WFMC committee, said yesterday.
"The number of storms will be fewer than that in 2011," he said.
The heart of Sukhothai is already ravaged, while Phichit, Phitsanulok and Ayutthaya are also struggling with flood water.
Science Minister Plodprasob Surassawadee, head of the WFMC, said authorities would try today to plug all holes in the floodwall in Sukhothai that allowed the town centre swamped.
He said the Office of National Water and Flood Management Policy would meet at 1pm today to identify flood-risk zones. "From now on, we must be able to predict floods and prepare resources for prevention and relief operations."
Royol said weather this year was under the influence of El Nino, not La Nina like last year, while waterways had already been dredged and water-retention areas prepared.
"All these factors suggest that even if flooding strikes, it will not be as severe as last year," he said.
In 2011, the country suffered its worst flood in decades, with over 800 people killed, seven industrial estates swamped along with homes of millions in Bangkok and elsewhere.
The Chao Phraya River in Nakhon Sawan was flowing at just 1,829 cubic metres per second, much less than 3,500 at one point last year, he said.
The Bhumibol and Sirikit dams were now discharging less than five million cubic metres per day of water downstream, he said. "Last year, it was 30 to 50 million cubic metres."
Samai Jai-in, an adviser to the WFMC committee on the water situation and allocation, said that at this time last year, both Bhumibol and Sirikit were already brimming.
'Dams can take more'
"But as of now, these two dams will be able to take in 8 billion cubic metres more," he said.
Thailand had not yet faced the full brunt of any storm this year.
"Last year, five storms directly pounded the country," he said.
The Sanba tropical storm, which was forming in the Philippines, would probably head to Taiwan and China rather than Thailand, he said.
"Besides all this, we have a well-integrated water database now. We also have pumps and devices to drain the run-off," he said.
"In the current circumstances, only a storm surge or at least five storms will be able to throw Thailand into a flood crisis of the dimensions it experienced last year."
Royol said continuing flooding in some provinces was mainly the result of unprecedented downpours.
"In low-lying areas, it will take several weeks to expel the water. Because the North is higher, run-off from there can flow down to the low-lying Central region within one week," he said.
Train services to the North resumed last night after repairs were completed on a stretch of tracks that was left hanging in the air when a flash flood washed out a hillside in Lamphun.
-- The Nation 2012-09-12
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2012
- Bikes
- KTM 613 EXC, BMW R90S & Dakar, MZ250, Norton 16H, Honda - 500 Fs & Xs, DRZs, XLs XRs CRFs CT110s etc
I was in the Chang Khong Customs office an hour ago... pointed to the river and said "Mekong level high".... he looked up, said "Yes, high".
"Does it get much higher?"
.... he points to the water mark just below the ceiling.
"Does it get much higher?"
.... he points to the water mark just below the ceiling.
2wheels
Community Manager
Wishing you a fun ride BigFella and looking forward to your reports. 
KTMphil
Senior member
Bangkok warned of flood threat as heavy rain predicted
THE NATION
BANGKOK: -- Residents in 27 at-risk communities in Bangkok have been warned to brace for floods this weekend as heavy rains are expected from tomorrow (Friday) until Monday.
All the flood-prone communities, home to around 1,200 families, are located along the Chao Phraya River in areas that have no embankment.
However, having an embankment is not always a guarantee against flooding. Such is the case in Sukhothai, which has seen water from the Yom River seeping in even though the level is not overflowing the embankment.
"The water is seeping in from under the embankment," Science Minister Plodprasob Surassawadee said yesterday in his capacity as the chair of the Water and Flood Management Commission (WFMC).
He believed the problem stemmed from the fact that the embankment does not have foundation poles, and the high water pressure is causing the seepage. He added that the WFMC has recruited engineers from private companies in a bid to quickly and efficiently end the flooding in Sukhothai.
The commission is also urgently examining embankments in Nakhon Sawan, Sing Buri, Angthong and Ayutthaya.
"We have to identify the riskiest spots and try to minimise that risk," Plodprasob said.
According to Plodprasob, the embankments in Sukhothai, Sing Buri and Angthong were constructed in 2001. However, the embankment in Nakhon Sawan is newer.
'UNPRECEDENTED'
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday reckoned that relevant authorities would have to shift their focus on provinces downstream from Sukhothai.
"We are now assessing the situation and trying to prepare solutions for all possible scenarios," she said.
When asked whether her government would be able to control the flooding, Yingluck said, "I can only say that we are doing our best".
She urged locals to watch out and alert relevant authorities if they noticed any flood risks.
Plodprasob said the problem in Sukhothai was "unprecedented".
In a separate interview, Komsan Maleesee, deputy dean of the Faculty of Engineering at King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, said the government should not just say that the problem was beyond control.
"This reflects that the earthen base for the embankment might have sustained problems from last year's flooding," Komsan said. "The government should have done better".
In a related development, WFMC deputy chair and spokesman Chadchart Sittiphan said the list of qualified companies for the submission of water-management concepts under the government's Bt300-billion budget would be announced on September 20.
Sukhothai
Floods have forced the temporary closure of five schools and a vocational institute, sidelining thousands of students.
Wat Ratchathani historical site has also been inundated.
Floods in Sukhothai municipality are spreading to nearby low-lying areas, including tambon Ban Lum, Pak Khwae and Yang Sai in Muang district. Public-health officials are on hand to assist and advise the rising numbers of flood victims.
Phitsanulok
Downstream from Sukhothai, the banks of the Yom River are overflowing homes. Around 7,000 rai of farm fields in Phitsanulok's Bang Rakam and Phrom Phiram districts are submerged. Residents along the river have moved their belongings to higher places and are using boats to travel. A school in Phrom Phiram has been closed temporarily.
Phichit
The overflowing Yom River has inundated 50 houses in Sam Ngam district with one-metre-deep waters. Farmers in tambon Khlong Khachen in Muang district are using boats to harvest their rice fields.
Angthong
More than 450 residents of 148 households have been flooded out in Muang district's tambon Phong Pheng. Thirty boats have been requested and around 30 people asked for tents to live in. Water was one metre deep in some areas. The higher stage of the Chao Phraya has caused a canal to back up in Phong Pheng's tambon Ban It, causing worries that the waters will break through embankments.
Uttaradit
Flood damage is estimated at Bt100 million in Muang and Laplae districts, where 2,000 rai of agricultural areas and 12 roads were covered. Floodwaters are now receding.
Tak
The overflowing Wang River has submerged 333 residences and 2,444 rai of paddy fields in Ban Tak district. Farmers have been advised to monitor the flood situation and are urged speed up the harvest of their crops.
-- The Nation 2012-09-13
THE NATION
BANGKOK: -- Residents in 27 at-risk communities in Bangkok have been warned to brace for floods this weekend as heavy rains are expected from tomorrow (Friday) until Monday.
All the flood-prone communities, home to around 1,200 families, are located along the Chao Phraya River in areas that have no embankment.
However, having an embankment is not always a guarantee against flooding. Such is the case in Sukhothai, which has seen water from the Yom River seeping in even though the level is not overflowing the embankment.
"The water is seeping in from under the embankment," Science Minister Plodprasob Surassawadee said yesterday in his capacity as the chair of the Water and Flood Management Commission (WFMC).
He believed the problem stemmed from the fact that the embankment does not have foundation poles, and the high water pressure is causing the seepage. He added that the WFMC has recruited engineers from private companies in a bid to quickly and efficiently end the flooding in Sukhothai.
The commission is also urgently examining embankments in Nakhon Sawan, Sing Buri, Angthong and Ayutthaya.
"We have to identify the riskiest spots and try to minimise that risk," Plodprasob said.
According to Plodprasob, the embankments in Sukhothai, Sing Buri and Angthong were constructed in 2001. However, the embankment in Nakhon Sawan is newer.
'UNPRECEDENTED'
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday reckoned that relevant authorities would have to shift their focus on provinces downstream from Sukhothai.
"We are now assessing the situation and trying to prepare solutions for all possible scenarios," she said.
When asked whether her government would be able to control the flooding, Yingluck said, "I can only say that we are doing our best".
She urged locals to watch out and alert relevant authorities if they noticed any flood risks.
Plodprasob said the problem in Sukhothai was "unprecedented".
In a separate interview, Komsan Maleesee, deputy dean of the Faculty of Engineering at King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, said the government should not just say that the problem was beyond control.
"This reflects that the earthen base for the embankment might have sustained problems from last year's flooding," Komsan said. "The government should have done better".
In a related development, WFMC deputy chair and spokesman Chadchart Sittiphan said the list of qualified companies for the submission of water-management concepts under the government's Bt300-billion budget would be announced on September 20.
Sukhothai
Floods have forced the temporary closure of five schools and a vocational institute, sidelining thousands of students.
Wat Ratchathani historical site has also been inundated.
Floods in Sukhothai municipality are spreading to nearby low-lying areas, including tambon Ban Lum, Pak Khwae and Yang Sai in Muang district. Public-health officials are on hand to assist and advise the rising numbers of flood victims.
Phitsanulok
Downstream from Sukhothai, the banks of the Yom River are overflowing homes. Around 7,000 rai of farm fields in Phitsanulok's Bang Rakam and Phrom Phiram districts are submerged. Residents along the river have moved their belongings to higher places and are using boats to travel. A school in Phrom Phiram has been closed temporarily.
Phichit
The overflowing Yom River has inundated 50 houses in Sam Ngam district with one-metre-deep waters. Farmers in tambon Khlong Khachen in Muang district are using boats to harvest their rice fields.
Angthong
More than 450 residents of 148 households have been flooded out in Muang district's tambon Phong Pheng. Thirty boats have been requested and around 30 people asked for tents to live in. Water was one metre deep in some areas. The higher stage of the Chao Phraya has caused a canal to back up in Phong Pheng's tambon Ban It, causing worries that the waters will break through embankments.
Uttaradit
Flood damage is estimated at Bt100 million in Muang and Laplae districts, where 2,000 rai of agricultural areas and 12 roads were covered. Floodwaters are now receding.
Tak
The overflowing Wang River has submerged 333 residences and 2,444 rai of paddy fields in Ban Tak district. Farmers have been advised to monitor the flood situation and are urged speed up the harvest of their crops.
-- The Nation 2012-09-13
Ally
Well-known member
"This reflects that the earthen base for the embankment might have sustained problems from last year's flooding,"
No.... really ?
No.... really ?
2wheels
Community Manager
Excerpts from 'Bangkok Post' 12th September;
"Did the former PACC secretary-general actually mean what he said, or was he ordered to say it by somebody else to clear the air about his controversial transfer?
Either way, it is unlikely to give any extra credibility to the statement earlier made by Justice Minister Pracha Promnok -- that the removal of the chief of the anti-corruption agency
was not politically motivated and was not linked to his investigations into alleged public sector graft involving government budgets worth hundreds of millions of baht.
The most prominent cases involving more than 500 flood relief and rehabilitation projects in six northeastern provinces, massive tax evasion by a luxury car importer and a land encroachment case in Chiang Rai.
Pol Gen Pracha last week took justice permanent secretary Kittipong Kittiyarak along with him to a press conference staged to dispel widespread speculation and criticism of Pol Col Dussadee's abrupt transfer.
The minister could have attended the press conference alone if the transfer was as straightforward as he claimed, because there would be nothing to hide, but instead he felt the need for the support of Mr Kittipong.
Pol Gen Pracha also insisted that despite the departure of Pol Col Dussadee, the corruption probes into the cases the secretary-general had started would continue unabated.
Whether his statement can be trusted or not remains a big question mark.
The transfer order itself is ridiculous and illogical. Had the government really been serious about stamping out corruption - as it has repeatedly pledged - it should have given support to Pol Col Dussadee
and encouraged him to carry on with his zealous inquiries and not have him abruptly removed in the middle of the investigations.
The flood relief and rehabilitation projects under investigation involved only about 500 million baht. That's just peanuts compared to the more than 100 billion baht budget earmarked for the entire flood relief and rehabilitation programme.
Moreover, there is another huge budget, amounting to about 250 billion baht, for flood prevention projects which are in the process of implementation."
"Did the former PACC secretary-general actually mean what he said, or was he ordered to say it by somebody else to clear the air about his controversial transfer?
Either way, it is unlikely to give any extra credibility to the statement earlier made by Justice Minister Pracha Promnok -- that the removal of the chief of the anti-corruption agency
was not politically motivated and was not linked to his investigations into alleged public sector graft involving government budgets worth hundreds of millions of baht.
The most prominent cases involving more than 500 flood relief and rehabilitation projects in six northeastern provinces, massive tax evasion by a luxury car importer and a land encroachment case in Chiang Rai.
Pol Gen Pracha last week took justice permanent secretary Kittipong Kittiyarak along with him to a press conference staged to dispel widespread speculation and criticism of Pol Col Dussadee's abrupt transfer.
The minister could have attended the press conference alone if the transfer was as straightforward as he claimed, because there would be nothing to hide, but instead he felt the need for the support of Mr Kittipong.
Pol Gen Pracha also insisted that despite the departure of Pol Col Dussadee, the corruption probes into the cases the secretary-general had started would continue unabated.
Whether his statement can be trusted or not remains a big question mark.
The transfer order itself is ridiculous and illogical. Had the government really been serious about stamping out corruption - as it has repeatedly pledged - it should have given support to Pol Col Dussadee
and encouraged him to carry on with his zealous inquiries and not have him abruptly removed in the middle of the investigations.
The flood relief and rehabilitation projects under investigation involved only about 500 million baht. That's just peanuts compared to the more than 100 billion baht budget earmarked for the entire flood relief and rehabilitation programme.
Moreover, there is another huge budget, amounting to about 250 billion baht, for flood prevention projects which are in the process of implementation."
2wheels
Community Manager
And 'Breaking News' in the same newspaper;
Poll: Graft rife in relief fund spending
" Most of the people believe corruption has been rife in the spending of the government's disaster relief funds by authorities concerned, according to the results of Abac Poll revealed on Thursday.
The poll was conducted on 1,542 people between Sept 8-12 in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Ayutthaya, Chon Buri, Suphan Buri, Phichit, Phetchabun, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, Yasothon, Roi-et, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Chumphon, Phatthalung and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces.
The opinion survey found that 59.4 per cent of the respondents were suspicious about the spending of relief funds by government officials, 62.8 per cent did not believe the spending was transparent, and 71.0 per cent said there was discrimination on the part of government officials in the distribution of relief items.
Most of the respondents, 94.9 per cent, said the spending of all disaster relief funds should be declared to the public in full detail.
A majority, 74.8 per cent, believed in the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC)'s findings that corruption was rife in the spending of flood relief funds.
Most of them, 75.2 per cent, said there were now only a small number of senior government officials who take care of and protect officials who perform their duty honestly.
A huge majority or 82.7 per cent sid the government did not show a clear stance to provide protection for witnesses and officials who exposed corrupt practice.
As high as 93.8 per cent of the respondents said government officials found guilty of corrupt practice involving the disaster relief fund spending should be subject to a high penalty of life sentence or death. "
Poll: Graft rife in relief fund spending
- Published: 13/09/2012 at 12:21 PM
- Online news:
" Most of the people believe corruption has been rife in the spending of the government's disaster relief funds by authorities concerned, according to the results of Abac Poll revealed on Thursday.
The poll was conducted on 1,542 people between Sept 8-12 in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Ayutthaya, Chon Buri, Suphan Buri, Phichit, Phetchabun, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, Yasothon, Roi-et, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Chumphon, Phatthalung and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces.
The opinion survey found that 59.4 per cent of the respondents were suspicious about the spending of relief funds by government officials, 62.8 per cent did not believe the spending was transparent, and 71.0 per cent said there was discrimination on the part of government officials in the distribution of relief items.
Most of the respondents, 94.9 per cent, said the spending of all disaster relief funds should be declared to the public in full detail.
A majority, 74.8 per cent, believed in the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC)'s findings that corruption was rife in the spending of flood relief funds.
Most of them, 75.2 per cent, said there were now only a small number of senior government officials who take care of and protect officials who perform their duty honestly.
A huge majority or 82.7 per cent sid the government did not show a clear stance to provide protection for witnesses and officials who exposed corrupt practice.
As high as 93.8 per cent of the respondents said government officials found guilty of corrupt practice involving the disaster relief fund spending should be subject to a high penalty of life sentence or death. "
KTMphil
Senior member
[h=2]Sukothai struggling with 2m flood[/h]
Bangkok Post:
Soldiers are still battling to repair breaches in the Big Bag barrier to prevent water from the flood swollen Yom River pouring into Muang district of Sukothai province.
The water level continued to rise on Monday and spread into the inner areas of the district.
Several schools have been closed temporarily while vendors in several flooded markets have moved their stalls out onto the main street, causing heavy traffic congestion.
Authorities said the water level in the Yom River has fallen by 10cm, but more than 1,400 residents in Sri Samrong district continue to struggle against the flood tide, which has reached over two metres in some areas.
Locals have begun erecting sandbag walls in their villages to protect their houses from further inundation.
Provincial authorities in Phitsanulok province expect the flood moving downstream from Sukothai province will reach three districts by Tuesday and the flood levels there could rise by 50cm to one metre. The three districts are Bang Rakam, Porn Prompiman and Muang districts.
According to several reports, the flooding has expanded in many areas. Several main roads leading to villages in Porn Prompiman district have been cut and local people are using boats to move around the area. At least 100 houses have been flooded while about 5,000 rai of farmland are under a metre of flood water.
Bangkok Post:
- Published: 17/09/2012 at 03:47 PM
- Online news:
Soldiers are still battling to repair breaches in the Big Bag barrier to prevent water from the flood swollen Yom River pouring into Muang district of Sukothai province.
The water level continued to rise on Monday and spread into the inner areas of the district.
Several schools have been closed temporarily while vendors in several flooded markets have moved their stalls out onto the main street, causing heavy traffic congestion.
Authorities said the water level in the Yom River has fallen by 10cm, but more than 1,400 residents in Sri Samrong district continue to struggle against the flood tide, which has reached over two metres in some areas.
Locals have begun erecting sandbag walls in their villages to protect their houses from further inundation.
Provincial authorities in Phitsanulok province expect the flood moving downstream from Sukothai province will reach three districts by Tuesday and the flood levels there could rise by 50cm to one metre. The three districts are Bang Rakam, Porn Prompiman and Muang districts.
According to several reports, the flooding has expanded in many areas. Several main roads leading to villages in Porn Prompiman district have been cut and local people are using boats to move around the area. At least 100 houses have been flooded while about 5,000 rai of farmland are under a metre of flood water.
Ally
Well-known member
Have no fear, a highly regarded person in our family said this year is not the same as last year. They said "This year its different, it's being caused by the rain, not because of water from the north".
I will sleep better tonight for hearing that.
Ally
I will sleep better tonight for hearing that.
Ally
