Japanese plane keeps eye on deluge

The Nation

Japan has dispatched a plane with radar-enabled photography devices to survey the floods in Thailand -in return for Thailand's help extended to Japan during the earthquake-tsunami disasters in March.

The aircraft, of unknown type, belongs to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and has hi-tech devices which can take high resolution photos through clouds and bad weather, said Anont Sanitwong na Ayutthaya, acting director of the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency.

After the March disasters in Japan, GISTDA gave 55 hi-resolution photos of damaged landscapes, taken from the Thai-operated THEOS satellite, to Japanese authorities for free.

Social media update Bangkok residents

A Facebook and a Twitter account giving updates on flood situations from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration have been set up to keep capital residents informed of the latest.

Both accounts, with keyword @BKK_BEST, also welcome feedback and alerts sent in by subscribers. Urgent repairs or assistance are ready around the clock upon request submitted through both social networking services, with help from BMA’s emergency assistance BEST units.

The embankment walls along the Chao Phraya river in Bangkok can withstand water levels at 2.50 metres, exceeding the record critical level of 2.10 reached last year, said Sanya Cheenimit, director of BMA’s Department of Drainage and Sewerage.

Floods cause train suspensions

Trains travelling between Bangkok and the North have suspended services southwards from Nakhon Sawan due to heavy flooding over the tracks, a deputy station chief said yesterday.

Passengers with tickets can refund them at full prices, said Somphol Wasachaikul, who added that the 17-cm flood level was too high for rail safety regulations.

Residents in 10 villages in Kao Leo district are out of drinking water due to the month long inundation and are being provided free supplies by the local waterworks agency. Water purifiers, which can produce drinking water from groundwater at one cubic metre per hour, have been installed in those villages.

New dates set for GAT and PAT exams

General Aptitude Test (GAT) and Professional Aptitude Test (PAT) exams have been postponed to November 19-20 and 26-27 respectively because of the heavy flooding, the National Institute of Education Testing Service announced yesterday.

As a result, the second round of both exams will be held by March, on dates to be announced later, based on the original schedule between November 10 and December 7, said NIETS director Samphan Phanphruek.

All agencies have agreed with the NIETS’ decision and would work with local schools, which are used as exam venues, to coordinate rooms and facilities, he added.

-- The Nation 2011-09-29

After the March disasters in Japan, GISTDA gave 55 hi-resolution photos of damaged landscapes, taken from the Thai-operated THEOS satellite, to Japanese authorities for free.

I'm really impressed by this act of benevolence.

The aircraft, of unknown type, belongs to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and has hi-tech devices which can take high resolution photos through clouds and bad weather, said Anont Sanitwong na Ayutthaya, acting director of the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency.

Perhaps there is another long stay in the minds of the Japanese industrial giants amongst others.

Perhaps instead of military expenditures on submarines, tanks and more tanks, some of the bloated military budget could be used to purchase similar equipment. It is time the Thai military considered that the concept of defense includes equipment that involves non lethal defense capabilities. How can Thailand protect its natural resources and people if it does not have aircraft capable of the surveillance?

How sadly predictable that a topic on one country's aid to another is yet again met with smug, patronising posts bashing Thailand.

Oh well, that's Thaivisa these days....

A few off topic posts and one associated reply have been removed from view. Apologies to the member with the reply.

Please keep posts civil.

How sadly predictable that a topic on one country's aid to another is yet again met with smug, patronising posts bashing Thailand.

Oh well, that's Thaivisa these days....

Totally agree. too many grumpy old men on this forum, complaining about the country they choose to stay in rather than moving to greener pastures......bar whiners most of them.