At Least 4 Dead, 100 Missing In Krabi Mudslide

[george]

At least 4 dead, 100 missing in Krabi mudslide

KRABI, March 30 -- At least four people were killed and more than 100 are missing in a mudslide at Krabi's Khao Phanom district, while rescue workers have halted their operations fearing further slides.

After the hillside gave way, rescue workers found four victims--three men and one woman--while some 200 initially were reported missing, but rescue teams helped some 50 villagers from the scene of the incident are mostly staying at Hua Kaew School, Wat Tham Khao Din and Wat Tham Krok.

The rescue team decided to halt operations as the water level continued to rise, bridges and roads are inaccessible, and fears of more mudslides. However, Krabi Governor Prasit Osathanond said the rescue operation would resume Thursday and that the authorities planned to ask for more assistance from the army for heavy equipment, food and drinking water.

The military would also be asked to reconstruct damaged bridges and roads, he said, adding that if the weather permitted, helicopter may be used to help the victims.

In Phrom Khiri district of Nakhon Si Thammarat, a flash flood had swept away a bridge to Thon Hong sub district, leaving more than 80 households stranded in the district, but a landslide with large rocks blocked the road into the district, while at a nearly hill, mud continued flowing downhill.

In Trang, a flood prevention dyke along the Trang River at Bang Rak and Nong Trut sub districts collapsed due to strong tides. Its waters had overflowed, flooding more than 1,500 homes with 1 to 3 metres deep.

Trang Governor Maitree Intusut announced that three more districts, now 10 districts in total, have been designated as disaster areas.

In Chumphon, one man was found drowned at Lang Suan district.

Seven districts in the provinces with more than 55,000 villagers, 18,000 households were affected from the flood.

A second victim, a child, was found drowned in Phattalung after strong floodwaters swept him away and his body was not recovered.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Wednesday visited Nakhon Si Thammarat to evaluate the flood situation. He also distributed relief packages to flood victims in Tha Sala and Pak Phanang.

-- TNA 2011-03-30

[george]

Thai floods kill 15 dead, thousands stranded

by Anusak Konglang

BANGKOK, March 30, 2011 (AFP) - Thailand mobilised its only aircraft carrier as efforts to rescue thousands trapped on storm-swept holiday islands intensified on Wednesday after severe flooding across the south killed 15.

Victims were either swept away by the rising waters, or buried in mudslides as the unseasonably wet weather deluged the homes and businesses of around a million people in what should be one of the hottest months of the year.

Rising waters have choked off road and rail links to the southern region, while islands in the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea were left isolated as ferries were cancelled.

Air connections have also been disrupted although flights began to run again on Wednesday to some areas.

Around 13,000 holidaymakers had been stranded on Koh Samui alone, said Bannasat Ruangjan, of the island's tourism association, who warned that food and fuel stocks could run low in the next few days if rain continued to hamper the flow of supplies.

"We advised tourists to stay in hotels and not to travel to the airport until the situation returns to normal, so far food and utilities are still adequate but I worry about stocks of diesel," he said.

Bangkok Airways said it expected to transport about 2,000 people in 19 flights from Samui to the Thai capital on Wednesday "as the weather is starting to clear".

Bad weather and a power blackout at Samui airport grounded over 50 flights on Monday and Tuesday.

Deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban said the government had sent its only aircraft carrier to rescue around 1,000 people stuck on Koh Tao island.

The 14-year-old HTMS Chakri Naruebet has a displacement of 11,485 metric tons and can accommodate 10 helicopters.

"There are roughly one million people affected in many provinces. At first we thought the flood would last a day or two, but now it has already been one week," he told reporters.

According to the Thai interior ministry, there are 1,225 tourists stranded in Koh Tao and 1,100 in the Phangan islands in the Gulf of Thailand.

There were about 70 holidaymakers in the Similan islands and 55 in the Surin island chain off the west coast of Thailand. It did not mention Samui.

A government statement said four people were confirmed dead after a mudslide in the Khao Phanom district of Krabi province early Wednesday.

More than 40 people were admitted to hospital after the mudslip, which Thai media said completely destroyed two villages.

The flooding, which began in southern Thailand a week ago, has killed seven people in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, three along the coast in Surat Thani and one in neighbouring Phatthalung.

In all, 80 districts of eight provinces have been declared disaster areas by Thailand's disaster prevention and mitigation department.

Devastating flooding across Thailand late last year left more than 220 people dead, damaging the homes or livelihoods of an estimated 8.6 million people in 51 of the kingdom's 76 provinces.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-03-30

[dumball]

My heart goes out to these people suffering from the latest destructive weather , may providence shine on them and that there is no more loss of life and all in distress are rescued successfully .

Dumball

[swifty5x5]

My heart goes out to these people suffering from the latest destructive weather , may providence shine on them and that there is no more loss of life and all in distress are rescued successfully .

Dumball

Agree. Does anyone know a good support agency?

[george]

Current weather conditions and forecasts for all amphurs, cities and provinces:

- Bangkok: http://weather.thaivisa.com/bangkok/bangkok/'>http://weather.thaivisa.com/bangkok/bangkok/

- Chiang Mai: http://weather.thaivisa.com/chiang-mai/chiang-mai/'>http://weather.thaivisa.com/chiang-mai/chiang-mai/

- Pattaya: http://weather.thaivisa.com/chon-buri/pattaya/'>http://weather.thaivisa.com/chon-buri/pattaya/

- Khon Kaen: http://weather.thaivisa.com/khon-kaen/khon-kaen/'>http://weather.thaivisa.com/khon-kaen/khon-kaen/

- Mae Hong Son: http://weather.thaivisa.com/mae-hong-son/mae-hong-son/'>http://weather.thaivisa.com/mae-hong-son/mae-hong-son/

- Phuket: http://weather.thaivisa.com/phuket/phuket/'>http://weather.thaivisa.com/phuket/phuket/

- Hua Hin: http://weather.thaivisa.com/prachuap-khiri-khan/hua-hin/'>http://weather.thaivisa.com/prachuap-khiri-khan/hua-hin/

- Hat Yai: http://weather.thaivisa.com/songkhla/hat-yai/'>http://weather.thaivisa.com/songkhla/hat-yai/

- Koh Samui: http://weather.thaivisa.com/surat-thani/ko-samui/'>http://weather.thaivisa.com/surat-thani/ko-samui/

- Krabi: http://weather.thaivisa.com/krabi/'>http://weather.thaivisa.com/krabi/

- All amphurs, cities and provinces: http://weather.thaivisa.com/

[Anniesamui]

http://networkedblogs.com/g1C1e?ref=nf

Photos of Koh Samui today !

[reason1]

Last 12 months strangest weather I can ever remember - more flooding in more counties - bit like planet is peed off -very sorry for folks in trouble

[featography]

My heart goes out to these people suffering from the latest destructive weather , may providence shine on them and that there is no more loss of life and all in distress are rescued successfully .

Dumball

Agree. Does anyone know a good support agency?

Look anywhere but the Thai Tourism Council;

Posted Today, 06:21

Tourism council hopeful of limited impact

[george]

Foreign & Thai tourists still stranded on Koh Tao & Koh Phangan islands. Navy were unable to rescue everyone #thaiflood /via @RichardBarrow

[News_Editor]

Flooding in Thailand kills at least 15

2011-03-30 21:50:12 GMT+7 (ICT)

BANGKOK, THAILAND (BNO NEWS) -- At least 15 people have been killed by flooding and mudslides in the southern region of Thailand caused by the week's heavy rainfall, the Bangkok Post reported Wednesday.

The latest reports include the death of four people who were swept by a mudslide in the Khao Phanom district in Krabi Province that completely destroyed two villages and injured at least 40 people.

In the Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, at least seven people have been killed.

In addition, around 15,000 tourists have been stranded on islands struck by the heavy storms, including roughly 13,000 on Koh Samui alone. The island's tourism association's Bannasat Ruangjan expressed concern as ongoing storms could lead to to a lack of food and fuel supplies.

The Interior Ministry said 1,225 tourists were also stranded in Koh Tao and 1,100 in the Phangan islands in the Gulf of Thailand.

Meanwhile, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said the country's lone aircraft carrier, 11,485 metric-ton HTMS Chakri Naruebet, which can hold 10 helicopters, rescued around 1,000 people stuck on Koh Tao island.

Thailand's disaster prevention and mitigation department has declared 80 districts of eight provinces as disaster areas.

Late last year, harsh floods killed over 220 people and caused damages that affected around 8.6 million people in 51 of the kingdom's 76 provinces.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-03-30

[Schlanbusch]

My thoughts goes to the victims and their familys.

[george]

Koh Tao: "Only 25% of tourists got off island today. We waited all day at pier. At 4:30pm were told Navy was going. Women, kids & elderly were evacuated by helicopter to navy ship. Others by long tail boat. Sea was calm. We were told to buy a 1,000B ticket for the Catamaran leaving tomorrow for Chumphon. Morning boat full. We'll be on the afternoon boat which hopefully will leave at 2:45pm arriving in KhaoSanRoad at 1 a.m. Fri. I want to say that the Thai people have been very kind to us. Food was cheap & often free. No shortages" /via @RichardBarrow

Rotary Club of Patong sending donations directly to the Rotary Club of Krabi: emergency food, water, supplies for homeless families. Bangkok Hospital Phuket taking donations of food and water (clothes aren't needed at this time). /via @PhuketPC

[Bardie79]

My sympathy with all those affected by the flooding.

Naturally I'm also worried about my travel plans - we've booked our honeymoon at a resort in Patong Phuket as well as on Phi-Phi island, from 10-17 April.

Does anyone know how these areas have been affected? Is it still OK to go there or should I rather cancel?

[superdome]

I live on Samui [Lamai]..i was so lucky to leave on 22nd march,the rain started on 23rd and seems to have got worse,i have many friends there [thais & farangs]the whole island seems to be in chaos,they are running out of food,fuel etc,my heart goes out to the people on holiday who are trying to get home,at time of writing [1645 gmt 30th march].airport still closed & ferrys not running..have heard abt 2000 people wating to get off Samui,and numbers rising

[george]

Here are some pictures showing flood damage on Koh Tao on a blog by @CamilleLemmens http://bit.ly/eEyGpO /via RichardBarrow

[hydrostatic]

My wife and I live in Phattalung. She is at home with the children whilst I'm away working in the ME. She called to tell me that its much worse than last years flooding, from which we still haven't fully recovered. However, just to cheer things up, last year I suggested that we get a flat bottom boat incase it happens again. At least we'll be able to go out and catch some fish when the market is empty. Did she get the boat? No, she got a motorbike. Is this retail therapy or what? Maybe tomorrow she'll get the boat eh.

[cyb]

To those of you that replied to me in the other closed topic and to those that sent me messages.

I sent an sms to my wife yesterday and received the delivery report about an hour ago that she had received it.

I tried to call her but got the call back service yet again, About 20 mins ago she managed to call me it only lasted a few mins before we lost it.

She says she can leave Samui tomorrow by naval boat, Has anyone heard anything as regards that? Apart from the aircraft carrier I have already read about.

[cutter007]

This is normal, if there is some bad weather, even only 30% more than normal, infrustructure falls apart.

Jai yen yen, this is Thailand, everything is build like crap, so it is to be expected that if it rains hard,

you might not be able to leave somewhere for a week.

Tourists that don't know any better, now do, we got Paragon and we have a got multi nationals, but

we are a lot closer to Cambodia when it comes to a bit of rain, than we are to some place like Singapore.

Maybe Suthep has an answer, he could maybe get some longtails with ignorant Burmese to manage some

rescue operations, he definitely wouldn't want any fancy western solutions to help people out.

[TechnikaIII]

Is there a map anywhere here, showing affected areas? I need to see what's happening and where.

Thanks

[khunPer]

Samui 30-03-2011:

Only little rain now (evening), after more than one week with constant downpour and flooded roads - between ½ and 1 meter high water.

Many power cuts during the last week. It is told, that there have been electrocute accidents both in Lamai and Chaweng, followed by power cuts there.

Still high waves, so no ferries and boats to the islands. Shelfs starts to be empty in the shops and some products has finished - like most fresh food at the markets. Fuel may be a problem now, as often sold out until the fueltrucks arrives on the afternoon ferry - there has been no ferries for several days.

A little private video from the airport and beach today at:

http://megaserver.info/tv/mplayer.mv?vFile=samui_mar2011.wmv

[animatic]

To those of you that replied to me in the other closed topic and to those that sent me messages.

I sent an sms to my wife yesterday and received the delivery report about an hour ago that she had received it.

I tried to call her but got the call back service yet again, About 20 mins ago she managed to call me it only lasted a few mins before we lost it.

She says she can leave Samui tomorrow by naval boat, Has anyone heard anything as regards that? Apart from the aircraft carrier I have already read about.

There was one naval boat in Nathon last week, I assume it's still there but ready for use.

There were 4 other boats of suitable size with the aircraft carrier.

There are lots of sections on Samui not under water nor under any serious threat, of course those are not the pictures you are likely to see, since they are not dramatic nor scenic in this weather.

We have electric on and access to 2-3 markets by truck or bike, I assume now that much of the water is backed off amenities are coming back on line. Can food is in several markets I have seen I have no fear of starving. The situation for 2 days certainly was worrisome, but with common sense easily survivable. Personally, if there was food and a roof available I would NOT be trying to leave so quick. I find the idea of travel right now more threatening than staying put.

Edited March 30, 2011 by animatic

[khunPer]

Agree with animatic:

"Personally, if there was food and a roof available I would NOT be trying to leave so quick. I find the idea of travel right now more threatening than staying put. "

[PingManDan]

Last 12 months strangest weather I can ever remember - more flooding in more counties - bit like planet is peed off -very sorry for folks in trouble

The Mayan calender predicts that the world will end by 2012 so enjoy what we have left

[leafmould]

Last 12 months strangest weather I can ever remember - more flooding in more counties - bit like planet is peed off -very sorry for folks in trouble

The Mayan calender predicts that the world will end by 2012 so enjoy what we have left

i agree with reason, in fact i've had bollokings recently on facebook for sugesting that the shit people are facing maybe is karma because man is acting like a parasite on earth rather than in harmony with it. i do realise that even if you live in harmony, floods tsunamis earthquakes still affect us but we are probably just a bit more mai pen rai, maybe.

but pingman, the mayan calender only ends its cycle in 2012 as its finite and not perpetual, just like a clock hitting midnight, its not the end just another cycle. it is also only a calender, it does not predict anything, let alone doomsday, it is supposed to be a bit like astrology though, good and bad days etc. besides if the shit hits, the world will not end, only most larger life forms, mai pen rai ??

deepest sympathys to all those affected though, lets hope for a bit more harmony for all

[OzMick]

Agree with animatic:

"Personally, if there was food and a roof available I would NOT be trying to leave so quick. I find the idea of travel right now more threatening than staying put. "

Especially on a Thai aircraft carrier! The fact that it moves was news to me.

[scotbeve]

Suthep said:

Deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban said the government had sent its only aircraft carrier to rescue around 1,000 people stuck on Koh Tao island.

The 14-year-old HTMS Chakri Naruebet has a displacement of 11,485 metric tons and can accommodate 10 helicopters.

"There are roughly one million people affected in many provinces. At first we thought the flood would last a day or two, but now it has already been one week," he told reporters.

:blink:

Does he (Suthep) watch the news??? Weather forecasts??? What a twit!!!! Feel very sorry for all the affected folks (and for the lack of assistance by govt.).

[exbelg]

2012 is comming... after the 4 nuclear plants in japan explode, we can expect the air and sea, plants and food, to be contaminated so that it will also affect us here in thailand

enjoy the time that you have left

[ozzieovaseas]

2012 is comming... after the 4 nuclear plants in japan explode, we can expect the air and sea, plants and food, to be contaminated so that it will also affect us here in thailand

enjoy the time that you have left

errr....let me guess...20/12/2012??

actually, you may have something there, doesnt the good book claim it will be curtains not long after 30% of the oceans life is wiped out??

Note to self: Book 5 star penthouse suite in Pattaya on 19/12/2012

Edited March 31, 2011 by ozzieovaseas

[scotbeve]

2012 is comming... after the 4 nuclear plants in japan explode, we can expect the air and sea, plants and food, to be contaminated so that it will also affect us here in thailand

enjoy the time that you have left

errr....let me guess...20/12/2012??

actually, you may have something there, doesnt the good book claim it will be curtains not long after 30% of the oceans life is wiped out??

Note to self: Book 5 star penthouse suite in Pattaya on 19/12/2012

Not the end of the world as we know it..... http://www.adishakti.org/mayan_end_times_prophecy_12-21-2012.htm

However, mother earth seems to be ticked off!

"An Apocalypse (Greek: “lifting of the veil” or “revelation”) is a disclosure of something hidden from the majority of mankind in an era dominated by falsehood and misconception, i.e. the veil to be lifted." — Wikipedia

"Both the Hopis and Mayans recognize that we are approaching the end of a World Age... In both cases, however, the Hopi and Mayan elders do not prophesy that everything will come to an end. Rather, this is a time of transition from one World Age into another. The message they give concerns our making a choice of how we enter the future ahead. Our moving through with either resistance or acceptance will determine whether the transition will happen with cataclysmic changes or gradual peace and tranquility. The same theme can be found reflected in the prophecies of many other Native American visionaries from Black Elk to Sun Bear." — Joseph Robert Jochmans

The Reawakening of the Divine Feminine, and the Apocalypse

[khunPer]

<

I am almost sorry to say (after reading the above 2012 comments), that Samui and Phangan do not seem to come to an end right now.

Only very little rain, almost no wind and the sea has really calmed down og looks fairly normal and sailable.