Armed Forces Get SOS

Lite Beer · October 8, 2011

Armed forces get SOS

The Nation on Sunday

Govt command orders military and police to assist in flood rescue effort

The Flood-Relief Operations Command (FROC) yesterday issued its first order to the military and police commanders in flood-ravaged provinces to urgently mobilise personnel and resources and evacuate people, protect their belongings and provide medical treatment until the floods subside.

A total of 253 people have been killed by the country's worst floods in 20 years, which have wreaked havoc in 30 provinces, mostly in the central and northern regions. About 8 million rai of farmland are expected to be destroyed, along with 9 million fish in farms.

Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnok, director of FROC, said the flood situation has reached a crisis and the worst is yet to come. Downstream provinces near the Chao Phraya Dam and Bangkok will be hard hit by floods from October 15-17 as impending storms are expected to coincide with high tides in the sea.

He instructed Ayutthaya Governor Withaya Piewpong to restore the province's economic zones that have been hit by flooding. The FROC suggested that 7,000 trucks of pebbles be used to build an embankment so as to prevent floods from damaging industrial estates in Ayutthaya.

Withaya said fast-moving units of Navy and Army officials used boats and GMCs to evacuate people from flooded areas to state offices. He said that although more flood victims were pouring into the flood-relief centres, there was enough food and water for them.

Pathum Thani Governor Peerasak Hinmuangkao said the province was trying its best to reinforce embankments and prevent flood waters from reaching Bangkok. However, it was facing shortages of sand and bags. He called for donations of the two items, and also sought volunteers to put the sand in the bags.About 300 prisoners were deployed in the relief operation.

Pracha said the major problem was the shortage of bags, not sand.

Peerasak said he would ask Thammasat University's Rangsit campus, Future Park Rangsit and Zeer Rangsit Department Stores to allow the use of their parking areas for cars.

Angthong Governor Wissawa Sasitmit said most residents in his province were refusing to be evacuated as they did not want to abandon their homes and assets, even though the water levels were rising steadily. He said some victims had taken refuge on the Asia Road to escape the flooding, causing traffic jams on the highway.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said the government is addressing the flood crisis to the best of its ability and had declared it as a national agenda that needed coordinated efforts from every sector.

She said she had instructed five provincial governors to release flood water into the sea during the low-tide period from October 6-12, before the arrival of more storms exacerbates the flood situation. However, the Chao Phraya and Bang Pakong rivers were at high levels, compelling water to be released slowly.

Manat Panuam, head of Uthai Thani's Tambon Nerncheng Administrative Organisation, said few people agreed to be temporarily evacuated from their homes. They have been gradually moving their belongings to higher parts of their homes, almost reaching the rooftop. Some wanted to stay put in their homes to protect their machinery and tractors.

Motorists using the Phaholyothin Highway heading to the North were yesterday stuck in a traffic jam extending to several kilometres as people in Nakhon Sawan took refuge on the road, bringing hundreds of motorcycles with them.

-- The Nation 2011-10-09

Lite Beer · October 8, 2011

Flood havoc

Severe flooding has wreaked havoc and caused much damage across the country.

_ 30 provinces in all regions except the South are inundated.

_ 2.34 million people in over 760,000 homes have been hit.

_ 253 people have been killed in flood-related accidents and four others are missing.

_ Over 8.6 million rai of farmland has been damaged and 9.9 million cattle and economic animals affected.

_ Sections of 214 roads - 60 highways in 17 provinces and 154 rural roads in 28 provinces - are under water.

_ 12 provinces in the Central plains and Eastern Seaboard face the threat of heavy rain and overflowing rivers: Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat.

Emergency numbers

Highway Department 1586

Railways 1690

Highway Police 1193

Medical help 1669

Disaster relief 1784

Source: 24/7 Emergency Operations Centre for Floods, Storms and Landslides

-- The Nation 2011-10-09

Lite Beer · October 8, 2011

Factories inundated

The Nation on Sunday

At least 20 plants affected as flood waters breach Ayutthaya estate wall

Many factories in the Rojana Industrial Park of flood-hit Ayutthaya were heavily inundated yesterday evening after a section of a six-metre-high earth-filled embankment collapsed under high water pressure.

Efforts to repair the two-metre-long collapsed section continued into the night.

A Honda Automobile (Thailand) factory, which is located right in front of the damaged section, was the first to be hit by the rushing flood waters. The Honda factory was under 30 centimetres of water.

Another 20 factories in the industrial estate also got flooded. The estate, in the province's Uthai district, houses some 200 factories that mostly manufacture automotive parts and electronic products, according to a reporter.

Soldiers, rescue workers, and factory employees were racing against time to rebuild the damaged section of the embankment with sandbags.

Estimated damage was not known last night and unauthorised personnel were not allowed inside the factory compound.

Earlier, finished cars from the Honda factory had already been moved elsewhere and part of the factory's production line was suspended due to fears of flooding.

-- The Nation 2011-10-09

Lite Beer · October 8, 2011

1,000-yr-old Khmer temple in Sakon Nakhon inundated

The Nation on Sunday

Flooding caused by torrential rain has hit a 1,000-year-old Khmer temple in the northeastern province of Sakon Nakhon.

Ku-Pan-Na temple has been submerged by flood water for over a month.

Authorities earlier expressed confidence the temple will not collapse, as the temple's structure has been fortified and its foundations strengthened.

Other areas in the province have also been severely

affected, including Sawang Din Dang district, where runoff water from Phu Phan Mountain has flooded 3,000 rai of agricultural land.

Lite Beer · October 9, 2011

Democrats launch relief caravan for Ayutthaya victims

The Nation on Sunday

The Democrat Party, led by former premier Abhisit Vejjajiva, has launched a caravan to distribute assistance to flood victims in Ayutthaya and other areas.

Some 500 relief bags were given to victims in affected areas along with dried food. Bottles of drinking water were distributed to Muslim communities. Abhisit said many people are under stress due to the severe flooding.

-- The Nation 2011-10-09

bushwacker · October 9, 2011

<"About 8 million rai of farmland are expected to be destroyed, along with 9 million fish in farms.">

I am thinking that the Fish would view this as a liberation, an unexpected and appreciated turn of events giving them freedom and a chance at a natural life.

h90 · October 9, 2011

:lol:

Lite Beer · October 9, 2011

MRT barricades entrances from floods

BANGKOK 9 October, 2011 –The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand, along with Bangkok Metro Company Limited or BMCL had begun increase protection against flooding by setting up walls in front of entrances to block out any excessive water.

Major stations, including Phraram 9 and Bangsue, were first to implement the walls and that intervened with local circulation. As of this week, more MRL stations will commence with the barricading process. Despite excessive flooding in different areas of Bangkok, the MRT service is still in operation.

-- NNT 2011-10-09

Lite Beer · October 9, 2011

Government urges the public to have confidence in its rescue efforts

BANGKOK, 9 October 2011 (NNT)-Minister to the Prime Minister Office, Ms. Krissana Srihaluk, told the public to have confidence in the government to solve flooding problems for them

Ms. Krissana says the government is doing its best and quickly attends to flood victims to help them cope with the surge of water. She added that those who needed help could contact 1111 extension 5 around the clock everyday

-- NNT 2011-10-09

Lite Beer · October 9, 2011

Flood closes section of Asian Highway in Chat Nat.

CHAI NAT, Oct 9 - Highway police on Sunday have closed another section of Asian Highway, a main route to Thailand's North, in Chat Nat after water from the Chao Phraya River started flooding the road as deep as 40 centimetres.

Motorists are forced to use only highway number 340 from Suphan Buri to travel to Chai Nat.

In lower province of Ayutthaya, a section of Asian Highway remains underwater for the fourth day. Inbound and outbound motorists have to use detours to travel to the North.

Meanwhile, Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi on Sunday said he would propose at a meeting with the Prime Minister Sunday morning at the National Relief Flood Centre headquartered at Don Mueang airport to adjust plans to handle flooding in Ang Thong, Pathum Thani and Singburi after calculations of the flood water in Ayutthaya may be inaccurate.

He also said Ayutthaya Hospital started evacuating 200 patients to the city hall while some patients in critical condition have been airlifted to hospitals in Bangkok. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-10-09

Lite Beer · October 9, 2011

Flood terrorizes Ayudhaya Hospital

AYUTTHAYA, October 9, 2011- According to Ayutthaya Governor Witaya Pewpong, personnel from the military, navy and water police force have held a meeting to establish plans for evacuation of patients at the Ayutthhaya Hospital.

After a gas explosion and a 2 meter flood strikes the local Ayudhaya hospital, the Governor, along with local officials from the armed forces had immediately planned for patient evacuation from the hospital to nearby rescue centers and hospitals.

Governor Witaya stated that 100 patients who required intensive care would be first transported out as a means of an initial evacuation trial. Medical Units and rescue teams will be made ready for transporting other patients onto large trucks and boat units to safer areas.

-- NNT 2011-10-09

Lite Beer · October 9, 2011

Thailand Floods: A Phuket view of the damage in a nutshell

PHUKET: Severe flooding has wreaked havoc and caused enormous damage across Thailand. Although Phuket is not among the 28 provinces currently on the radar of the national government's new flood crisis 'War Room', monsoon rains are an ongoing threat here, despite the hiatus so far today.

The damage nationally:

30 provinces in all regions except the South (where Phuket lies) are inundated. 2.34 million people in over 760,000 homes have been hit. 253 people have been killed in flood-related accidents and four others are missing. Over 8.6 million rai of farmland has been damaged, with 9.9 million cattle and economic animals affected. Sections of 214 roads – 60 highways in 17 provinces, and 154 rural roads in 28 provinces – are under water. 12 provinces in the Central plains and Eastern Seaboard face the threat of heavy rain and overflowing rivers. The critical ones are Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat.Emergency numbers:

Highways Department: 1586 Railways: 1690 Highway Police: 1193 Medical help: 1669 Disaster relief: 1784Source: 24/7 Emergency Operations Centre for Floods, Storms and Landslides, Bangkok

Here in Phuket, mudslides have been the biggest threat, with scores of people currently evacuated along several stretches of the bypass road

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/archives/articles/2011/article11170.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2011-10-09

Lite Beer · October 9, 2011

PM: Barriers need more reinforcement in 10 provinces

BANGKOK, 9 October 2011 (NNT)-Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra convened a meeting with the Flood Coordination Center to develop new reinforcement plans on embankment in 10 provinces while prompting evacuation for residents of Eastern Bangkok if flood barriers fail.

According to the premier, the embankments in Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Sing Buri, Lop Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi and Chachoengsao will be reinforced to prevent the overflow from flooding homes and important places.

Flooding units will be working with a provincial governor in securing the embankment in each troubled province. The representatives from the Interior Ministry, Army, and the Department of Royal Irrigation will be examining the flood barriers to make sure they are sturdy.

The Prime Minister reiterated that the evacuation should immediately be carried out if the water broke the barriers. She urged that all business and Mueang districts should be protected.

-- NNT 2011-10-09

animatic · October 9, 2011

Seems they finally are desperate enough to ask the army to leave the barracks... should have done that last month.

Jimi007 · October 9, 2011

Why wasn't this done weeks ago?

h90 · October 9, 2011

Maybe the Army can get rid of the water and the government?

Lite Beer · October 9, 2011

PM demands 10 provinces to submit comprehensive flood measures by 6 pm

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra Sunday demanded the governors of ten provinces currently under severe flooding situation to come up with comprehensive measures for dealing with the situation by 6 pm.

The prime minister took charge of a meeting at the National Flood Relief Centre at the Don Mueang Airport.

The prime minister ordered the provincial administrations of Uthai Thani, Chainat, Lop Buri, Singburi, Angthong, Ayutthaya, Nakhon Sawan, Chachoengsao, Pathum Thani, and Nonthaburi to appoint a person to be in charge of flood relief measures and the per cent must coordinate all the measures and operations.

The provincial administrations must come up with a plan by 6 pm whether the provinces need to evacuate people from flooded areas or to prevent flooding of certain zones, she said.

The centre will consider the plans of the provinces during its 6 pm meeting.

animatic · October 9, 2011

My point being that the army got called much earlier last floods and put plans into action. But the current newly elected government seemed so scared of the army leaving barracks 1-2 months after taking over, that they never made the call.

And if someone with authority could have ordered the big dams to release more water sooner, and thus have limited flooding earlier, rather than wait till dams are ready to collapse we might not be in the 3 meter stage. 1 meter is better than three no matter how you cut it. The classic 'don't make a decisions until your hand is well and truly forced into action'.

Edited October 9, 2011 by animatic

geriatrickid · October 9, 2011

The military medical teams were deployed at the start of the crisis. The problem that the military has is that its equipment is intended for combat not rescue operations. Lots of tanks and APCs, but short on trucks that can navigate the muddy and flooded areas. In order to deploy personnel, they have to be transported to where they are needed. thailand doesn't have much in the way of reliable transport helicopters, nor does it have a fleet of light watercraft capable of providing the necessary support. When deploying personnel, that personnel has to be housed and fed. Maintaining supply lines, evacuating populations and setting up shelters. is an incredibly difficult task. I don't think the Thai military is capable of providing the type of response one sees in farangland.

Jimi007 · October 9, 2011

Did you bother to read the quote I was asking about? It says "issued its first order to the military and police commanders in flood-ravaged provinces to urgently mobilise personnel and resources and evacuate people, protect their belongings and provide medical treatment until the floods subside." And are you trying to say that if they had started weeks ago, it wouldn't have helped more than starting it now?

h90 · October 9, 2011

they have a lot of these trucks, alone to transport soldiers to combat, just because it is always a bit wet here also they have a zillion of these small boats.

But that are large areas (supply line) and where to bring them if the government isn't helpful and on which budget?

Instead of shelters the government could use empty hotel rooms immediately.

Phuket Stan · October 9, 2011

Normal Shinawatra form...took 3 days for the army to get permission to help in the Tsunami...when they sprung into action they were marvelous

The army has a lot of heavy machinery ie bulldozers mobile cranes etc etc. All good stuff to fix dykes/barricades and a ready supply of trucks to haul sandbags not to mention the fit manpower of the troops

Edited October 9, 2011 by Phuket Stan

hellodolly · October 9, 2011

You forgot to answer the question why wasn't it done earlier. Perhaps if the PT would stop spreading coup rumors they would not fear the army so much and actually try to work with them.

Maybe the army does not have a overstock of needed manpower and supplies but that is a pretty dumb reason to use for them not using what they have.

Perhaps in geriatrickid land it is a good one.

leo12345 · October 9, 2011

Another display of a bad government appointed as a result of savages roaming the streets and ruining Bangkok. These floods will do less long term damage to the country than the red shirt oppression did. Some of the tourism industry is still struggling and many have lost jobs and businesses in the "HOLY BKK AREA" THAN THESE FLOODS WILL CREATE

IMA_FARANG · October 9, 2011

-----------------

I hold no particular love for ANY Thai politicians or party....but that comment is just not fair.

For at least two weeks Thai teveision news has been showing work crews building flood defenses, earth berms, and filling sandbags.

I would estimate that half of these work crews were young men in miliary fatigues. Obvious Thai army men.

Of course from my experience in the U.S. army...many years ago...I doubt if they themselves voluntered for that particular job. More likely they were voluntiered by their officers.

But the army has there for over two weeks now.

As usual now the politicians (of all partys) are just trying to take the credit for what has already been done by others.

Nothing new in that.

Lite Beer · October 9, 2011

CPF sets up 50 million THB food tents for flood victims

BANGKOK, 9 October 2011 (NNT)- Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL, CPF, is providing free food to flood victims in ten flood affected provinces.

According to Mr. Adirek Sripratak, President of CPF, Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson Dhanin Chearavanont of Charoen Pokphand Group had steered the company’s attention to focus on providing assistance for victims of the flood catastrophe. The corporate titan intends to establish canteen tents in 10 different provinces in order to distribute goods to the public.

These include the provinces of Ayutthaya, Nakhon Sawan, Phichit, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Sara Buri, Lop Buri and Pathum Thani.

Mr. Adirek claimed that the cost of campaign alone is approximately 50 million THB. With the previous flood aid campaigns during this year the CP group is expected to spend more than 100 million THB for the aid.

He added that the tents in the 10 provinces should be set up within two to three days and that CP would be ready to provide 3 free meals a day for the victims. Up to 5000 boxes of food will be sent to each province and that complementary water will be given for each set of the food box as well. CP suggests that the food box will not require any heating or cooking and that victim can easily eat straight off the container.

serenitynow · October 9, 2011

Hubris, incompetence, indifference, take your pick.

animatic · October 9, 2011

Add fear

of the army looking good in the eyes of the public,

or winning respect from the people up north for helping them,

or not being held in barracks 'under close watch',

or looking like PTP Gov. NEEDS the army to get anything done.

Bottom line the army is more organized and competent than the police at large scale disaster mitigation, and no other organizations are big enough to deal with disasters once it's too big for Tessabans. They may not be up to western National Guard levels for disaster assistance, but they can move large amounts of organized workers and supplies where needed, faster than most anyone lese in Thailand.

Edited October 9, 2011 by animatic

FOODLOVER · October 9, 2011

She has SPOKEN!

animatic · October 9, 2011

Well nice to see CPF taking a useful tack on this.

Certainly a good bit of PR value, but then again,

they have the stock and distribution network and people need it now, not later.

And politically it would show the Democrats friends doing the right thing, and, oh wait, what of the PTP friends, have they done much to make things better?

Edited October 9, 2011 by animatic

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