Thailand Live Friday 7 Oct 2011

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Flooding Continues Distress Provinces

Elevated water levels in major rivers show no signs of receding, especially in the northern region and central plains, where locals have been severely distressed by the latest round of flooding.

The surging water level of the Ping River has eroded and damaged the embankments in Nakhon Sawan's Wat Sai District.

As of now, the floodwater has inundated many homes in the area.

Officials are working fast to reinforce embankments to prevent further flooding.

Elsewhere, Phitsanulok's Tha Chang District is reeling under two-meter deep floodwater.

Transportation in the area is now paralyzed.

Villagers in Prompiram municipality are rushing to relocate to higher ground as the Nan River has risen dramatically and is threatening to flood the area.

Meanwhile, the Bhumibol Dam has continued its emergency water discharge operation for the second consecutive day.

The dam can only contain 200 million cubic meters more before it begins to overflow and risks critical damage.

With some 248 million cubic meters of water has been flowing into the dam each day, the authorities have had to discharge the excess water at a rate of 100 million cubic meters each day.

Discharge from the dam, coupled with continued run-off, has caused the Ping River to swell rapidly.

Homes and businesses in four districts of Tak Province along the Ping River have also been flooded with one to two meters of floodwater.

Officials are rushing to offer assistance to flood victims.

In addition, the situation in Ang Thong Province remains critical. Run-off from Lopburi Province has flooded Muang, Chaiyo, and Banree districts.

More than one hundred families have evacuated to Asia Highway.

The Royal Irrigation Department has issued a warning to those living along the Chao Phraya riverbanks to closely monitor the water situation and to brace for possible flooding.

The department pointed out that the water discharged from Bhumibol Dam will reach Nakhon Sawan and Chainat this weekend, and is likely to affect Bangkok on Monday.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-07

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Violence Continues in South, More Cameras to be Installed

In the latest round of southern violence, terrorists have shot locals in Narathiwat's Cho Ai Rong District.

One victim died at the scene, while four soldiers were injured as another bomb was detonated during the investigation.

Last night, southern insurgents shot dead Jintana Sae Tew at her home in Narathiwat's Cho Ai Rong District.

The terrorists also fired at a witness and former provincial official Abdulkarim Masae, who was seriously injured.

He remains admitted to Narathiwat Ratchanakarin Hospital as his condition is still critical.

Meanwhile, soldiers from Narathiwat Special Task Force 31 rushed to investigate the scene, at which time insurgents detonated a bomb they had buried in the road.

The explosion caused minor injuries to four soldiers.

Meanwhile, Narathiwat Governor Thanon Vejkorakanont said the government has allocated a 455-million baht budget to the province to install a total of 1,028 CCTV cameras in 13 districts.

He said that 80 percent of cameras have been installed, and the cameras are now being examined.

Meanwhile, Sungai Kolok District Administration Organization is planning to install another 266 cameras, following a series of attacks in the area.

It's expected the district will install a total of 350 cameras.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-07

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Recalling October 7, 2008 Police Crackdown On Yellow-Shirt Protest

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PM holds emergency meeting and sets up war room at Donmuang Airport to tackle flooding /TAN_Network

252 people dead, 3 still missing in floods which submerged many provinces for over 2 months /The Nation

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Useful Hotline Numbers: Highways - 1586, Highways Police - 1193, Railway - 1690, BMA - 1555, JS100 - 1137 #ThaiFlood /via@RichardBarrow:

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Crocodile warning: TAN reports that 25 crocodiles from a farm in Ayutthaya are on the loose due to heavy flooding

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Democrat Party Leader Reacts to PM's Absence from House Session

The Democrat Party leader has called on the House speaker to look into the absence of the prime minister at yesterday's House meeting, while expressing concern over possible fraudulent activities in the rice-pledging scheme.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said before leaving for Songkhla that it's understandable that the prime minister did not attend yesterday's House session, because she had flood issues to deal with.

He called on House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont to look into the matter in case the prime minister misses further House meetings.

Abhisit also voiced concern about the flood situation in the lower central region and the provinces surrounding Bangkok, and suggested that the government open more channels for receiving complaints from the public to prevent confusion in the relief efforts.

The Democrat leader believes Bangkok will not be greatly affected by floods, as the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is on top of the situation.

He also expressed concern about transparency in the rice-pledging scheme, which kicks off today.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-07

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Main highway linking Thailand's North to capital submerged

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SET closes up by 12.46 points at 926.18 during Fri midday break with value of Bt17.31 bln on buying of bank and energy shares /TAN_Network

Defense Ministry adds 8,000 soldiers to efforts to help with flood relief nationwide /TAN_Network

Matichon: Flood crisis becoming Yingluck govt's weakest point http://bit.ly/n2AMNi (link in Thai) /via@tulsathit

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Today UNESCO alerts Thailand for possibility emergency assistance for Ayutthaya World Heritage property #thaiflood /@lekasina @tulsathit /via@annnation_NT

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Thai Rath: Bhumiphol dam highly critical. Threats of overflowing growing seriously. /via@tulsathit

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UNESCO offers help for flood-hit Ayutthaya World Heritage site

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8,000 troops dispatched to help flood victims

The Nation

Defence Minister Gen Yuthasak Sasiprapha has dispatched 8,000 troops to help people affected by floods.

Yuthasak said Friday that the troops were dispatched from the First and Second Army areas and from the engineering corps.

Yuthasak said he would also seek some police personnel in the operations to alleviate flood victims.

-- The Nation 2011-10-07

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Landslide threat prompts Phuket evacuation

Most of the businesses in the evacuation zone supply construction supplies to the Phuket building industry.

Photo: Pimwara Choksakulpan.

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New NBTC Members Receive Royal Endorsement

11 members of the newly selected National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission have received royal endorsement from His Majesty the King. Reports indicate that their first meeting will take place on October 10.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-07

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Thai Travel News: Map Showing Flooded Roads in Thailand http://bit.ly/n6VHRu

/via@RichardBarrow

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Boiler at Mae Ploy chilli paste factory in Nakhon Pathom explodes, killing 3 and injuring 12 /TAN_Network

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FLASH: SIRLEAF, GBOWEE AND KARMAN AWARDED THE 2011 NOBEL PEACE PRIZE /via@mpoppel

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Three army officers prosecuted for smuggling offences

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Operation centre opened at Don Muang as floods worsen

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Frenchman arrested for fraud in Phuket

Rodi Yagir with evidence seized from his Phuket hotel room.

Photo: Tourist Police

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SET index closed at 909.17, down 4.55; Bt/USD30.82; GBP47.72; AUD30.04; EUR41.32; CAD29.49; HKD3.95; SGD23.65; JPY39.97

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513,860 people suffer from flood-related disease

The Nation

Public health ministry has reported that about 513,860 people are suffering from flood related disease. The number of new cases has increased to 20,000 each day. About 3,104 cases were under stress and 4,435 people were suffering from depression. About 574 were at risk from committing suicide.

Health officials in Bangkok, Saraburi, Nakhon Sawan, and Pitsanulok are urged to monitor the outbreak of flood related diseases in the lower northern region and central region.

-- The Nation 2011-10-07

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Dial 1111 for flood emergency help

The Nation

Hotline number 1111 dial 5 is now made available for calls for emergency assistance from flood-affected people around the clock.

The service also provides voice messages explaining daily updates on flooding situations and roads inaccessible and advices on bypasses and shortcuts.

The 1111 service is operated by the PM’s Office Ministry and providing information service, all essential details about authorities’ services and emergency assistance in cases of disaster.

-- The Nation 2011-10-07

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AFP: Thailand battles to keep floods from Bangkok

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Thailand Live Saturday 8 Oct 2011

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