Government Concerns Over Flooding In Bangkok

[Jai Dee]

PM will discuss flooding conditions with BKK Governor

The Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Gen. Surayud Chulanont, will meet the Bangkok Governor, Mr. Apirak Kosayodhin, today (October 24th) to discuss the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)’s measures and progress in dealing with the flood situation in the capital. The BMA has outlined extensive plans and has also projected that it will be successful in reducing flooding conditions in Bangkok this year.

After meeting with Mr. Apirak, Gen. Surayud will join in an event at the United Nations (UN) head office to deliver a ceremonial speech. The Prime Minister will also later travel to the lower North and Northeast to inspect flooded areas for the next two days. He is also expected to be delivering policies concerning the upcoming election to Election Commission (EC) representatives in different constituencies.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 24 October 2007

[Jai Dee]

PM says Govt. can prevent flooding in Bangkok

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont expresses his confidence that the government can prevent flooding in Bangkok this year.

The premier gave an interview after attending a meeting with executives of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), saying that the meeting had discussed measures to prevent inundation in the capital which was expected to take place this week due to high water level coming from the North.

Gen.Surayud said that BMA had prepared effective measures to deal with water from the North and high tide. As for a long-term solution to flooding in Bangkok, the premier said BMA had followed recommendations from Her Majesty the Queen’s concerning the restoration of the Chao Phraya River and mangrove forest as well as the treatment of waste water in Bangkok.

In addition, the premier said that the meeting had also discussed the management of Bangkok’s mass transit system especially the construction of electric train route from Sathorn (สาทร) road to the Thon Buri (ธนบุรี) side of Bangkok. BMA said it would improve public busses and water transportation in order to facilitate passengers of the electric train system.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 24 October 2007

[Jai Dee]

BMA warns residents along Chao Phraya of rising tides

The Bangkok Governor, Mr. Apirak Kosayodhin, says Chao Phraya River in Bangkok will rise by about 20 percent during October 27th to 31st, 2007. He says the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has coordinated with the Royal Irrigation Department in reducing the amount of water being released from the canal from 3,000 cubic meters per second to 2,800 cubic meters per second. Mr. Apirak says this measure will prevent people living along Chao Phraya River from being affected by the rising tides. He says the water level would then be around 1.8 to 1.9 meters above its usual level.

Mr. Apirak says the BMA has regularly warned people living along Chao Phraya River about the water situation during this afternoon, as the water level is expected to rise to 1.7 meters above its usual level.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Gen. Surayud Chulanont, has advised residents along Chao Phraya River to be prepared for the elevating tides. At the same time, various agencies are working together to solve the flood problems in the long run.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 October 2007

[Jai Dee]

Bangkok will improve conditions of Chao Phraya river and surrounding land in line with Royal Projects

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Governor Apirak Kosayothin revealed that the BMA has accepted the wishes of Her Majesty the Queen to remedy the erosion of coasts along the Bang Kun Thien (บางขุนเทียน) body of water and also to improve the Chao Phraya river.

In line with the recommendations of Her Majesty the Queen the BMA will organize the “We Protect Chao Phraya” project which will be officially opened by Her Royal Highness Princess Chulaporn Walailak. A network of some 100 private and public organizations as well as NGO’s will join in the project and have sworn an oath to sustain the standards of quality for the river and its shore lines. The group has resolved to instate a law restricting the erection of billboards along the river.

The BMA is also working with local residents to remedy erosion of the Bang Kun Thien shoreline. The governor has forwarded the issue to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Ministry of Interior to assist in creating a solution.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 October 2007

[Jai Dee]

BMA concedes water level of Chao Phraya River higher than expected

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) says the water level of the Chao Phraya (เจ้าพระยา) River is higher than expected but it will decrease at the end of this week as the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) will reduce water released from the North.

Bangkok Governot Apirak Kosayodhin (อภิรักษ์ โกษะโยธิน) says the river’s water level reached 1.87 meters last night, higher than what was expected by 12 centimeters. Yesterday at 16.30 hrs., the governor says the water was predicted to increase to 1.92 meters and might cause flood conditions in some areas in 17 districts along the Chao Phraya River which are located outside flood barriers.

The governor has set up working committees chaired by BMA’s deputy governor and deputy permanent secretary respectively to tackle problems in submerged areas and requested the navy to cooperate with BMA in assisting flood victims.

Mr Apirak says from October 27th – 29th high tide will not exceed 1.90 meters as RID will decrease the rate of water released from the North from 3,000 cubic meters per second to 2,665 cubic meters per second. He adds that BMA will start releasing water from the Chao Phraya River to canals in the city’s inner areas to prevent flooding.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 26 October 2007

[Jai Dee]

Inner areas of Bangkok will not be flooded

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)’s Department of Drainage and Sewerage Director, Mr. Somsak Klanphot (สมศักดิ์ กลั่นพจน์), spoke about the department’s measures to draw in water from the Chao Phraya River into Bangkok’s inner part to lessen an impact of the forthcoming high sea tide, that it would not cause flooding in the city.

Mr. Somsak ascertains that the inflow would not led to an increase of water level in Saen Saeb (แสนแสบ) Canal which many parties concern that it would disrupt the passenger boat operations.

Meanwhile, the Bangkok’s Flood Relief Center has reported that water level in the Chao Phraya (เจ้าพระยา), the country’s main river, has risen to a record high of 1.67 meters at 4:30 PM yesterday.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 27 October 2007

[Jai Dee]

Bangkok Noi provides further assistance as water levels rise

Bangkok Noi District Director Amorntat Pichitkadipon (อมรทัต พิจิตรคดีพล) spoke of rising water levels this morning (October 29) that the Chao Phraya river is currently at 1 meter 80 centimeters and is still within sandbag barriers. He stated though, that bridges and barriers have been made at 2 meters which may cause problems for residents during the morning and evening high tides.

Mr. Amorntat said that water levels should remain manageable until the middle of next month during the Loy Krathong period. The district has dispatched officials to prepare for the situation and assist residents.

Nonetheless, the district stated that water levels this year are not as severe as previous years and are confident assistance will be sufficient.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 29 October 2007

[Jai Dee]

Areas outside flood barriers in BKK submerged

Director of the Department of Drainage and Sewerage, Somsak Klanphot (สมศักดิ์ กลั่นพจน์), discloses that the water level of the Chao Phraya River is highest today at 1.97 meters, higher than the expected level by five centimeters.

The high water level has caused inundation in areas outside flood barriers in the capital. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has distributed aid to the flood victims and expressed confidence that the situation will return to normal in the next few days.

BMA announces that it will closely monitor the situation especially in November when high tide is expected.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 29 October 2007