All Eyes In Bangkok On Chao Phraya River

[Robby nz]

I find it wonderfull who some clowns can always find something to sling off at in the most serious subject and of course they have to get in the word 'elite'

Here we have an event that will affect a great number of people.

Some will lose their homes, possetions, source of income and as has already happened their lives.

Yes the BKK elite who live in shacks alongside the river will be just as hard hit as those who are already flooded out farther up the country.

A fair proportion of the flood water will in the next couple of days converge on BKK and a lot of people will be in trouble.

Perhaps instead of slinging off at others you could get out and try to do something to help.

OK rant over.

The CP river has risen a farther 10cm here in Singburi today now 12.4m and likely to rise again tonight.

Many people here are flooded out both big and small houses.

Floods dont distinguish between those with money or not.

And all of that water is on the way to BKK.

[tallfarang]

In 5 years, 10 years or 50 years it would seem destined that Bangkok will once more become a city of klongs; perhaps a true Venice of the East. Long tail boats instead of buses and moorings at what are now the second floor windows of offices and condos.

There will have to be a lot of long term planning and heavy investment to avoid the scenario. Reforestation to alleviate flooding, higher dykes to prevent sea incursion all take a lot of long term effort and finance.

The flooding can be delayed but if sea levels and flood levels rise then eventually the capital will have to be abandoned.

Bangkok is not alone with this possible future problem; many of the worlds major cities are built on low lying land at tidal river mouths where nautical trade built up. London, New Orleans, Bangkok, different parts of the world but potentially same long term problem.

Perhaps the smart money should head for the hills now.

Very true, and yet they keep building condos and houses like there is no tomorrow ....

I think you mean they keep building condos and houses like there IS a tomorrow.. :-))

[sjjmmi]

In 5 years, 10 years or 50 years it would seem destined that Bangkok will once more become a city of klongs; perhaps a true Venice of the East. Long tail boats instead of buses and moorings at what are now the second floor windows of offices and condos.

There will have to be a lot of long term planning and heavy investment to avoid the scenario. Reforestation to alleviate flooding, higher dykes to prevent sea incursion all take a lot of long term effort and finance.

The flooding can be delayed but if sea levels and flood levels rise then eventually the capital will have to be abandoned.

Bangkok is not alone with this possible future problem; many of the worlds major cities are built on low lying land at tidal river mouths where nautical trade built up. London, New Orleans, Bangkok, different parts of the world but potentially same long term problem.

Perhaps the smart money should head for the hills now.

Very true, and yet they keep building condos and houses like there is no tomorrow ....

I think you mean they keep building condos and houses like there IS a tomorrow.. :-))

Nope .... like there is no tomorrow .... is correct

[webfact]

UPDATE

Thai capital prepares for floods as waters rise

by Thanaporn Promyamyai

BANGKOK, October 24, 2010 (AFP) - Bangkok braced for rising waters encroaching on the city on Sunday as the death toll from two weeks of nationwide flooding rose to 38, emergency officials said.

The floods, which began on October 10, have affected millions of people across huge swathes of the country, inundating thousands of homes and leaving authorities struggling to reach people stranded in remote areas.

Authorities in the capital have reinforced flood walls with 200,000 sandbags and are building temporary wooden bridges in 27 communities to help people cross waterlogged streets.

More than 1,000 water pumps are on standby and authorities are preparing schools, monasteries and mosques in 13 districts for evacuation.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said that while floods in the kingdom's east and northeast were receding, the situation in central provinces was concerning, especially with high tides due in the next few days.

"I'm trying my best to mobilise all possible assistance to solve this problem," he said in his weekly television broadcast.

The Emergency Medical Institute of Thailand reported a further six deaths to add to Saturday's toll of 32, who were swept to their deaths or killed in accidents as vehicles were carried away by the churning waters.

The two worst-hit northeastern provinces of Nakhon Ratchasima and Buriram have each reported six deaths, while six people were also killed in Lop Buri and three died in Khon Kaen.

A further 17 people have died in eight more provinces across central, northeastern and eastern areas, including one in Nonthaburi province, just north of Bangkok.

The Irrigation Department on Saturday issued warnings to people living in seven low-lying provinces, including Bangkok, as water from further north began to flow downstream.

Around 4,000 cubic metres (a million gallons) of water per second was expected to flow into the capital's Chao Phraya river, which coupled with high sea levels surging from the other direction could cause floods in parts of the city.

But water levels were unlikely to be exacerbated by rainfall in Bangkok and central provinces in coming days, according to the meteorological department.

The commerce ministry warned businesses not to take advantage of the floods by hoarding goods or raising the prices of construction materials, the Bangkok Post reported.

"If traders use this opportunity to lift the prices higher they could face a maximum of seven years in prison and a maximum fine of 100,000 baht (3,500 US dollars)," Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai was quoted as saying on the newspaper's website.

More than 2.5 million people, or 800,000 households, have been affected by the two weeks of flooding, which has hit 30 out of Thailand's 76 provinces, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said.

Bad weather has battered countries in the region in recent weeks, with dozens killed in Vietnamese floods and nearly 50 people left dead in the Philippines and Taiwan by Typhoon Megi, which has roared into southern China.

In western Myanmar, Cyclone Giri killed at least one person on Friday and left tens of thousands in need of help.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-10-24

[dumball]

The house of my wifes cousin had the street in front of his house flood a few weeks ago , after about 5 cm it flowed straight through the house into the street behind , a week later he had the yard in front of his house raised 10cm , continued through the house and across the back yard . he was lucky the house was built with high ceilings . A large drainage pipe was employed at the level of the street and also contnued to the street behind as a further precation , other houses just built a 'Walkover into the house , he is not Thai , he is a Chinese Cambodian , it was simple logic to him .

[webfact]

Bangkok, three central provinces brace for flooding

BANGKOK, Oct 24 – The water level in the Chao Phraya River, running through Thailand's central provinces including the capital of Bangkok, reached its highest level so far this year on Sunday as about 27 communities outside the flood prevention dikes have been under water.

While floods have receded in some northeastern provinces, the central provinces of Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani are on alert for possible extensive flooding as the northern run-off is coming through the Chao Phraya River measured at Pakklongtalad in Bangkok at 1.98 metres warlier today as the highest level this year.

Pathum Thani’s Samkok district has been inundated and the water level in the Chao Phraya River is increasing.

The director-general of the Royal Irrigation Department said the water flow passing the Chao Phraya dam in Chainat rose to 3,250 cubic metres per minute because of heavy rainfall in the North combined with the high tide.

The large volume of water is accumulating in Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani, unable to escape to the sea due to the pressure of the high tides. People living along the river must be ready to evacuate.

Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra on Sunday visited a community in Bangkok Noi district, one of 27 communities outside the flood protection dykes and the waters of the Chao Phraya River had begun to flood the community.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has warned residents along the Chao Phraya River to brace for the highest level of water on Tuesday.

The BMA has prepared four million sandbags and residents can pick them up at district offices.

The prime minister, who visited flood-hit areas in Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi on Sunday said the Cabinet would consider a special budget to help flood victims. The initial assessment of the damage costs was around Bt10 billion.

A sand embankment at one temple collapsed and the water has flooded the temple and nearby homes.

In Suphan Buri’s Doembang Nangbuat district, the flood water has risen as the water flowed from Uthai Thani, damaging farmland in 11 districts.

Thailand's Office of Buddhism disclosed that several flood-hit provinces have damaged around 600 temples, affecting about 6,000 monks. The monks are unable to leave their temples to receive food offerings in the morning.

They also lack drinking water, candles, medicines, and robes.

Meanwhile, Public Health Ministry launched 10 automatic telephone lines for 24 hours at 0-2590-1994 for donation to assist flood victims. Minister Jurin Laksanawisit ordered over 300,000 sets of medicine for water-borne diseases such as athlete's foot to distribute to the victims in affected provinces. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-10-24

[george]

Flood Warning for Samut Prakan and Bangkok: King High Tide every morning from Monday to Wednesday. Tomorrow at 7:13am /via @RichardBarrow:

[george]

Thailand flooding: Call Centre 1784 reports that officials have run out of sandbags to be given away /via @tulsathit

[chantorn]

In Thailand, there are only 2 type of people.

Bankokian (Kon Khrung Thep) and Rural People (Kon Ban Nork).

So which are you; or let me re-phase, which one will be like to be?

This user Chantorn, I don't know whether it is a thai male, female, or ladyboy, but always posts on threads trying to show how much wit he / she has, only to prove they have none.

For your info, most people in ThaiVisa say I must be a Farang.

[SergeiY]

In Thailand, there are only 2 type of people.

Bankokian (Kon Khrung Thep) and Rural People (Kon Ban Nork).

So which are you; or let me re-phase, which one will be like to be?

This user Chantorn, I don't know whether it is a thai male, female, or ladyboy, but always posts on threads trying to show how much wit he / she has, only to prove they have none.

For your info, most people in ThaiVisa say I must be a Farang.

Yes, just to prove that all they have no wit or at least the most of them have none.

male, female, or ladyboy ? Chantorn is the litmus test for wit.

[rubl]

In Thailand, there are only 2 type of people.

Bankokian (Kon Khrung Thep) and Rural People (Kon Ban Nork).

So which are you; or let me re-phase, which one will be like to be?

This user Chantorn, I don't know whether it is a thai male, female, or ladyboy, but always posts on threads trying to show how much wit he / she has, only to prove they have none.

For your info, most people in ThaiVisa say I must be a Farang.

An alien most likely, not a farang

[tigermonkey]

AmazingThailand once again -- or perhaps it should be amazing Bangkok -- the headline says it all " All eyes in Bangkok are now on the Chao Phraya River -- the plight of the rest of the country is long forgotten -- it matters little to the government that people in many other parts of Thailand are still stranded without food or shelter, and some dying -- the only focus now of the government is to protect Bangkok .

Where is the mobilization of aid and relief promised several days ago to the many other provinces which have severe ongoing problems ? There is no problem yet in Bangkok, and there yet may be no major problem in Bangkok. ... but Bangkok now gets all the attention and relief work.

Do you understand why so many do not trust the elite of Bangkok ?

In Thailand, there are only 2 type of people.

Bankokian (Kon Khrung Thep) and Rural People (Kon Ban Nork).

So which are you; or let me re-phase, which one will be like to be?

A little research would have told you that I live in a small farming village in Lamphun province - proud to not be kon krung thep !

[tigermonkey]

AmazingThailand once again -- or perhaps it should be amazing Bangkok -- the headline says it all " All eyes in Bangkok are now on the Chao Phraya River -- the plight of the rest of the country is long forgotten -- it matters little to the government that people in many other parts of Thailand are still stranded without food or shelter, and some dying -- the only focus now of the government is to protect Bangkok .

Where is the mobilization of aid and relief promised several days ago to the many other provinces which have severe ongoing problems ? There is no problem yet in Bangkok, and there yet may be no major problem in Bangkok. ... but Bangkok now gets all the attention and relief work.

Do you understand why so many do not trust the elite of Bangkok ?

Your red suit says it all. Why not concentrate on the area of highest population density, not to mention income production, where all the floodwaters will converge? You want relief? Who do you think is going to pay for it?

The suit is "terracotta " -- you reinforce my remarks completely -- " concentrate on the area of highest population density, not to mention income production " and ignore all others -- the last time I checked , the name of the country was Thailand -- not Bangkok !

[bulmercke]

AmazingThailand once again -- or perhaps it should be amazing Bangkok -- the headline says it all " All eyes in Bangkok are now on the Chao Phraya River -- the plight of the rest of the country is long forgotten -- it matters little to the government that people in many other parts of Thailand are still stranded without food or shelter, and some dying -- the only focus now of the government is to protect Bangkok .

Where is the mobilization of aid and relief promised several days ago to the many other provinces which have severe ongoing problems ? There is no problem yet in Bangkok, and there yet may be no major problem in Bangkok. ... but Bangkok now gets all the attention and relief work.

Do you understand why so many do not trust the elite of Bangkok ?

Your red suit says it all. Why not concentrate on the area of highest population density, not to mention income production, where all the floodwaters will converge? You want relief? Who do you think is going to pay for it?

The suit is "terracotta " -- you reinforce my remarks completely -- " concentrate on the area of highest population density, not to mention income production " and ignore all others -- the last time I checked , the name of the country was Thailand -- not Bangkok !

If all the elites lived in Isaan - Bangkok would be left to its own devices - just like the rest of the country is now - while the big guns pull out all their resources to save the capital - Bangkok.

[robenroute]

In Thailand, there are only 2 type of people.

Bankokian (Kon Khrung Thep) and Rural People (Kon Ban Nork).

So which are you; or let me re-phase, which one will be like to be?

This user Chantorn, I don't know whether it is a thai male, female, or ladyboy, but always posts on threads trying to show how much wit he / she has, only to prove they have none.

For your info, most people in ThaiVisa say I must be a Farang.

Have you done a count? If I were you, I wouldn't bet my sweet a#$3 on it... ;-)

[rubl]

Here in Dusit Area heavy rain started again around 23:45. Pumps still working, but where does the water go? Probably to the outskirts where people may already have a foot of water in their livingroom. Some will not get dry for another month, like in many years. Bit of a disgrace and maybe typical Thai

Edited October 25, 2010 by rubl

[WarpSpeed]

It's raining again very hard right now....... bad news.... I was hoping at least it would stay dry..

Edited October 25, 2010 by WarpSpeed

[Tod Daniels]

Seeing as I live on the GROUND floor in a small apartment complex; with the ‘flash’ rainstorm we had in Bangkok this afternoon and while I was posting this just now, BOTH my bathrooms and my kitchen flooded with about 2 inches of water, in about 10 minutes time!!

Thankfully, they are 4 inches BELOW the rest of my apartment or it’d have been bad (mostly for me! ).

It is like the flood on Lower Sukhumvit about 3 years ago, where I was wading thru 15+ inches of water in my apartment and had everything stacked on the counters, including my two cats from the US (who have since died, so no worries in regards to them ).

It makes me sad, that for 2 or 3 months outta the year, people up-country are DYING for water (not the people per se, but their crops) and then in another 30 days they’re inundated by it.

What made me so very sad was the pic in the paper “which shall not be named” showing an OLD thai man holding a b/s wooden raft/boat with the casket of his wife in it, which he couldn’t take to the temple and cremate because of the flood waters. That really made it hit home as to just how bad some thai people have it.

Hmmm. no smart catchments or ways to keep water when there’s too much for when there’s not enough, and on the occasion when there is TOOO much water, no way to drain it off in a timely fashion so no one is swamped out? Sheesh...

The mind wobbles . .. It really does. .. (at least mine does. ..)

[agudbuk]

Why don't the authorities just throw loads of sponges into the river to soak up the water?

Edited October 25, 2010 by agudbuk

[Robby nz]

Seeing as I live on the GROUND floor in a small apartment complex; with the ‘flash’ rainstorm we had in Bangkok this afternoon and while I was posting this just now, BOTH my bathrooms and my kitchen flooded with about 2 inches of water, in about 10 minutes time!!

Thankfully, they are 4 inches BELOW the rest of my apartment or it’d have been bad (mostly for me! ).

It is like the flood on Lower Sukhumvit about 3 years ago, where I was wading thru 15+ inches of water in my apartment and had everything stacked on the counters, including my two cats from the US (who have since died, so no worries in regards to them ).

It makes me sad, that for 2 or 3 months outta the year, people up-country are DYING for water (not the people per se, but their crops) and then in another 30 days they’re inundated by it.

What made me so very sad was the pic in the paper “which shall not be named” showing an OLD thai man holding a b/s wooden raft/boat with the casket of his wife in it, which he couldn’t take to the temple and cremate because of the flood waters. That really made it hit home as to just how bad some thai people have it.

Hmmm. no smart catchments or ways to keep water when there’s too much for when there’s not enough, and on the occasion when there is TOOO much water, no way to drain it off in a timely fashion so no one is swamped out? Sheesh...

The mind wobbles . .. It really does. .. (at least mine does. ..)

Thanks for a great post mate.

You certainly put all the whingers and 'why dosent the Govt' types to shame.

Hope you stay safe down there.

Have to come to BKK myself today.

Been raining most of the night in Sung buri sometimes quite heavy.

Water here was over the main Rd,s to south and east last night.

Sand bags are keeping most of it back.

But looks like it could go round the barriers.

If this happens most of the place will be under more than a metre of water.

will go in a few minutes to have a look what its like now.

[Robby nz]

River has risen less than 10cm overnight but still rising.

We have been told they have been forced to spill more water from the Chai nat dam.

If this is true expect a farther rise in the river.

[draftvader]

This morning's high tide was at 07:42. I was hoping to see the water receding after this time, but it is now even higher still. This morning's high tides were the highest predicted tides for this spring tide. Hopefully this will be the worst of it, but the sky is grey and there is a little Thai person with their finger on the button at the Chai Nat dam. Let's just all hope they know what they are doing.

Bangkok Tides

[random]

I live Ratburana on the river, from my window all looked ok but when I left the condo one of the dock yards further down the road was flooded and they had sandbags fighting to keep the water in the dock yard and not spill out onto the road, judging by the people standing in there it was around 2 feet deep.

Edited October 26, 2010 by random

[whybother]

I live Ratburana on the river, from my window all looked ok but when I left the condo one of the dock yards further down the road was flooded and they had sandbags fighting to keep the water in the dock yard and not spill out onto the road, judging by the people standing in there it was around 2 feet deep.

I used to work in the Kbank building in Ratburana. Based on the flooding and the use of sand bags around there at this time every year, I don't think they have a chance in hel_l of stopping a lot of flooding in the areas along the river there.

[random]

I live Ratburana on the river, from my window all looked ok but when I left the condo one of the dock yards further down the road was flooded and they had sandbags fighting to keep the water in the dock yard and not spill out onto the road, judging by the people standing in there it was around 2 feet deep.

I used to work in the Kbank building in Ratburana. Based on the flooding and the use of sand bags around there at this time every year, I don't think they have a chance in hel_l of stopping a lot of flooding in the areas along the river there.

The small floating boat dock at my place was pointing upwards at an angle instead of the normal downwards but the walls ate the condo are hopefully high enough, the road is set back from the river and most dock yards have large walls road side and just gates for the wagons, it is these gates that they have sandbagged, hopefully they can stop it getting too bad but the bags I saw this morning were already starting to sprout leaks.

I heard on the radio that 9.09 am was set to be the peak time, I drove past at around 8am.

[rubl]

Heavy rain again in Dusit area, Bangkok. Second time today. Shouldn't the rainy season be over by now ?