Private Boat Owners Urged To Help Lower Level Of Chao Phraya: Flood Crisis

[webfact]

FLOOD CRISIS

Private boat owners urged to help lower level of Chao Phraya

By The Nation

We'll pay for the fuel, says Plodprasob; method 'worked' in Ayutthaya

Science Minister Plodprasob Surassawadee yesterday urged the private sector to lend boats to the mission to quickly lower the water level in the Chao Phraya River.

The mission is designed to save Bangkok and its adjacent provinces from floods, which are now raging across 23 provinces. At press time, the official floodrelated death tolls was 136. Two other victims were reported missing.

Plodprasob said the mission would also ease flooding in those provinces already affected.

"Now, we have 30 boats in action," the science minister said.

He added that the use of boats' motors had already proved effective in Ayutthaya, quickly lowering water levels there by more than 20 centimetres.

"If you are not using your boats now, please lend them to us," Plodprasob said.

He said the method worked best during the lowtide period, which was expected to last till tomorrow (Sep24).

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is closely monitoring the situation. "We have to be prepared for runoff water from the North, and for more rain," Sanya Sheenimit said in his capacity as head of the BMA's Drainage and Sewerage Department.

He said officials were on duty round the clock at pumping stations across the capital.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was scheduled to hold a videoconference with the governors of Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Lop Buri and Sukhothai this morning to follow up on floodrelief operations, according to Deputy Government Spokeswoman Thitima Chaisang.

"She will hold similar conferences with the governors of other flooded provinces every day until the situation eases," Thitima said.

Yingluck is also scheduled to visit flood victims in many provinces on Sunday.

Yesterday, a boat carrying officials from the Department of Water Resources and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment capsized during a trip to a floodhit area in Lop Buri's Ban Mi district. All of the officials were safe, though some of their belongings were damaged.

Phu Chong Na Yoi National Park chief Saksit Ponsapsiri, meanwhile, reported that 25 officials were marooned inside the park after 2.5metredeep floodwaters submerged the road to this Ubon Ratchathanibased attraction.

"The national park has been closed due to flooding," he said.

Heavy downpours are expected in Ubon Ratchathani and 14 other provinces today, according to the Emergency Operations Centre for Floods, Storms and Landslides.

-- The Nation 2011-09-23

[Buchholz]

LOL @ "Science" Minister Plodprasob's 30 propellers having an impact on the Chao Phraya River.

.

[whybother]

They can't really believe that, can they?

[David006]

not funny really but can't help but giggle at the mind's eye pic of all the "uniforms" floundering around in muddy water holding their I-phones out of the water....

[oldsalt]

Perhaps they could moor some huge barges across the river; put hundreds of school kids on them, sitting on the edge with flippers on their feet...and have them kick for hours on end.

[FOODLOVER]

I Love Thailand! The Water Officials boat capsized! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Karma's a bitch boys!

[siampolee]

LOL @ "Science" Minister Plodprasob's 30 propellers having an impact on the Chao Phraya River.

All as a result of a wonderful no fail education system.

[Soutpeel]

They can't really believe that, can they?

I would humbly suggest the the esteemed science minister be relieved of his post ASAP and put in charge of paper clips, after completing his treatment at the local mental hospital...

No it doesnt work.

[rakman]

They can't really believe that, can they?

I would humbly suggest the the esteemed science minister be relieved of his post ASAP and put in charge of paper clips, after completing his treatment at the local mental hospital...

No it doesnt work.

Darn, they could have used the 6 submarines to help out at depth.

[nomoretalksin]

typical post-active Thai mentality mixed with Thaksin clan mentality / Low IQ tactics. Why not plan for once a bit ahead for next year? Each year the same silly story, with Thai companies already having their donation bags with photo-op and logo on the bag prepared, for the poor float victims photos adds/op outside the flooded city.

Despite living here in the capital, one day I wish Bangkok would be hit so hard, that the snobs and politicians in the city finally wake up and move their asses to get finally a decent water management going for this country.

Think ahead for once and not each time wait until the people are deep sunk in this yearly water mess.

Also the priority of this current gov. seems strange. Meetings in Cambodia to play football and to listen to Thaksin talk, going so speedy for car- (more pollution) and house- buying schemes with sales commission corruption; trying to implement silly populist ideas (to be sure to get voted for next time), instead of really planning for once ahead for the country, which is sinking deeper and deeper into corruption and low-education man-made problems.

[Payboy]

This method works best during low tide.

The river level drops during low tide - wow, who would have thought of that?

[nomoretalksin]

Let's try to tackle this claim serious. Anyone knows when the Chao Phraya river tides actually are (low and high)?

...passing by the river date, might post some photos later

[Crushdepth]

I find it difficult to believe the science minister could be this stupid.

[Payboy]

Next, they'll be flying jet planes to divert hurricanes hitting major cities.

[Ricardo]

I was expecting the solution to be some sort of 'Dunkirk-style' evacuation-flotilla !

'Left hand down a bit, Mr Pertwee' ! Crunch !!! (bow towards ancient radio-comedy 'The Navy Lark')

[phiphidon]

You may want to read this before making negative comments on this idea;

http://en.isnhotnews.com/?p=14493

See also the other paper.

[Crushdepth]

Thanks.

[bushwacker]

Wow ... talk about thinking out of the box!!!! Great idea for a TV cartoon.

I would think that if he lowered the level by 20 cm at one point that means that the water level at the place a little down river would be 20 cm higher. And by quickly lowering the water by 20 cm would cause gravity to suck in more water to the original point of the boat motors. Of course these are not problems for a cartoon.

[CrustyJuggler66]

Black magic would have proved more useful than this.. Clearly a case of another 'paid for phd'

[rametindallas]

You may want to read this before making negative comments on this idea;

http://en.isnhotnews.com/?p=14493

See also the other paper.

This does not change the fact that propellers have any effect of moving the millions upon millions of tons of river water out of range of the propellers that is holding the upriver water back. If anything it could cause flooding immediately downstream as any water moved by the propellers would back up against the slower water downstream. Do you, personally, believe this is helping?

[OzMick]

The concept is not that stupid, it's the scale of things that make it a joke. Around 30,000kw pushing against 30 + million tonnes of water just doesn't cut the mustard.

You might just as well argue that the boats are displacing water, pushing the river level higher.

[jimbeam1]

How silly. Everyone knows the best method would be to dangle electric kettle elements into the river. Thus creating vapour?

jb1

[haveaniceday]

The article in the NATION was SATIRE

It is a joke.

[whybother]

PM to Stamp Out Poor Flood Relief Coordination

The prime minister has pointed out a lack of cooperation between provinces, which has hampered flood relief efforts.

She pledges to form a neutral committee to work on the issue.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said in an interview regarding the flash flooding that has damaged large sections of Asia Highway and thousands of rais of rice paddies.

She insisted the government has been working hard to hold off floodwater for farmers to finish harvesting their crops before diverting water into the rice fields to save communities.

However, flooding in many provinces reached a critical point before the farmers could harvest in time.

Yingluck vows to compensate farmers whose paddy fields were damaged by flash flooding.

Regarding criticism that the government's attempt to prevent Bangkok and Suphan Buri from flooding caused inundation in many provinces, Yingluck said she would investigate the matter, adding that authorities have been doing their best.

She added that there is a structural problem, as authorities have always focused on their areas in charge, so as to save their province at the cost of others.

It reflects a lack of cooperation between provinces.

She noted that the government will establish an ad-hoc committee to deal with flooding in the long run.

The new committee will work closely with local officials to monitor flooding nationwide.

It will reconsider the water management thoroughly.

Yingluck also asked the public to give the government time to cope with the issue.

-- Tan Network 2011-09-23

[whybother]

She noted that the government will establish an ad-hoc committee to deal with flooding in the long run.

Surely they need more than an "ad-hoc committee" to deal with this regular occurrence.

[samjaidee]

I find it difficult to believe the science minister could be this stupid.

The idea to make run-off from the North flow faster out to the Gulf of Thailand was suggested more than 10 years ago by the King.

[phiphidon]

You may want to read this before making negative comments on this idea;

http://en.isnhotnews.com/?p=14493

See also the other paper.

This does not change the fact that propellers have any effect of moving the millions upon millions of tons of river water out of range of the propellers that is holding the upriver water back. If anything it could cause flooding immediately downstream as any water moved by the propellers would back up against the slower water downstream. Do you, personally, believe this is helping?

I have no thoughts or experience to comment one way or another. I'd just thought I'd put out a friendly post suggesting where this idea originated.

[tort]

I assumed the boats were taking on all the water they can, setting sail for sea and discharging the water. Then coming back and doing it again.

[Arkady]

Well it sure beats having a credible water management plan and actually spending serious government money on something productive.

[phiphidon]

Well it sure beats having a credible water management plan and actually spending serious government money on something productive.

Depends if there's any money left for the BMA's remaining 3 x Super Drain Tunnels...........http://www.mnn.com/green-tech/gadgets-electronics/photos/eco-photos-of-the-week-feb-13-19/bangkoks-new-tunnels