Thailand Live Wednesday 12 Oct 2011

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Woman’s Corpse With Hands & Feet Tied Found In Chonburi

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Nakhon Sawan flood worsened, emergency evacuation declared

The Nation

Nakhon Sawan governor Chairot Meedaeng on Wednesday's morning declared a state of emergency ordering immediate evacuation.

The water level rose additional 1.5 meters in the province.

Flood victims seeking shelter at the provincial administrative centre were ordered to move to the 2nd floor to escape overflowing water.

Residents were advised to move their vehicles from flooded town areas to the Jiraprawat Army base.

The Dechatiwong Bridge, on the Asian Highway linking the province, was sealed off from traffic for fear of safety. Strong water flow on the Chao Phraya River might have undermined the bridge's foundation.

Sawan Pracharak Hospital had to shut down the power at one of its buildings. Patients were moved to higher floors.

-- The Nation 2011-10-12

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(10.15am) Hitech Park's director denied the park hit by flood, only water leaked but already fixed. /via@tukky_nt

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Latest Flood figures: 281 killed. 2 missing. 26 prov still submerged. 2.2 million ppl affected. /via@tulsathit /via@Neaw_NBC

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Floods Claim 281 Lives; 2 Missing

Officials have released the latest number of casualties caused by the widespread flooding. 281 people have died in relation to the floods with two who remain missing. More than two million people have been affected.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-12

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Bangkok

Department of Drainage and Sewerage

Water Measurement System

Follow this link: http://dds.bangkok.go.th/Canal/PageGraph.aspx

in Thai language!

info provided by member MunterHunter

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Carlberg Steps Up Presence in Thailand

Carlsberg is now selling bottled beer in Thailand. The company established an office in Bangkok in the summer 2011 in order to sell draught in bars and restaurants. The target was 150 outlets.

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Updates on the flood situation in English language. PDF files

Follow this link: http://disaster.go.th/dpm/flood/floodEng.html

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Pathum Thani Residents Advised to Brace for Floods

Residents in Khlong Luang District of Pathum Thani Province are advised to prepare to evacuate to higher ground, as runoff from the Rojana Industrial Estate in Ayutthaya Province is expected to reach the area in a few days.

Adviser to the Royal Irrigation Department, Director-General Weera Wongsaengnak said runoff from the Rojana Industrial Estate in Ayutthaya Province will reach Khlong Rangsit 26 and Rapeepat canals in a few days.

Irrigation officials are diverting floodwaters to Khlong Rangsit canals 1 through 6.

Residents in Khlong Luang District of Pathum Thani Province are advised to prepare to evacuate to higher ground.

Weera said water levels in the canals will be one meter above ground level, but it's unlikely the overflow will affect residents in the Don Muang area.

He added that officials are repairing dikes along the Chao Phraya River in Pathum Thani's Sam Khok District.

Flood water has rolled into the Chiang Rak canal after the dike was destroyed by a strong runoff, while Thammasat University Rangsit Campus, which currently serves as a temporary flood evacuation center, remains unaffected.

Meanwhile, water discharges from the Bhumibol and Sirikit dams have been reduced to 93 million cubic meters and 30 million cubic meters respectively.

The authorities will later reassess the amount of water above the dams, to decide whether they will continue to cut back the flow rate or not.

In Nakhon Pathom Province, runoff reached the Mahasawat canal and caused flooding of 20 to 30 centimeters.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has taken measures to prevent flooding due to runoff and high tide.

Meanwhile, Chief Adviser to Chart Thai Pattana, Party leader Banharn Silpa-archa defended the Royal Irrigation Department after the agency was criticized for ineffectively managing water resources.

He said that the flood situation this year is not as severe as in 1995, and that he expects flooding to abate in December.

As for the situation in Ayutthaya, Banharn suggested the government look into the possibility of constructing a levee line surrounding the province to prevent flooding in the future.

He said the embankment would cost about ten billion baht.

The veteran politician added that water levels in rivers and canals around Bangkok should be kept 2.5 meter below the sea level.

However, he disagreed with declaring a state of emergency in the wake of flooding, as it could scare off tourists.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-12

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Nakhon Sawan governor orders more evacuation of people as flood water rises /

PM orders Commerce Ministry to monitor goods prices and speed up packaging of sandbags /

Army chief inspects flooding in Pathum Thani and orders reinforcing of barriers; governor seeks 150,000 additional sandbags /

/TAN_Network

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Flooding to Cost Industrial Sector 300-400 Billion Baht in Damages

The Thai Chamber of Commerce is estimating the flood damage to the industrial sector in Ayutthaya at around 300 to 400 billion baht.

Att Pisanwanit, assistant professor at the Center for International Trade Studies at the University of Thai Chamber of Commerce, commented on the damages caused by flooding at Ayutthaya's industrial zone.

He said a rough damage assessment was conducted at four industrial estates including Saharat Nakhon, Rojana, Bang Pa-in, and High-tech, with damages estimated at around 300 to 400 billion baht.

Of this estimate, nearly 80 billion baht is the production value at the four flood-stricken industrial estates.

The rest is damage to property, machinery, and investor confidence.

With business operations at the four industrial estates temporarily suspended, 2.5 percent of Thailand's industrial output has been halted.

Officials project it will take at least three to six months to make repairs, and for the industrial zone to fully recover.

A proposal has been submitted to prevent prolonged flooding, which includes measures such as the one sub-district, one flood-prevention system.

Another proposed measure is to employ a more efficient water-management system.

The last measure is to impose a flood tax on Bangkokians, since they are the last to suffer from flood effects.

Att noted that the flood crisis has had an impact on export, since many industrial projects have been shut down, pushing back the delivery of orders originally set to be sent in the fourth quarter.

The delay is expected to drop export growth from 19.2 percent to 17.8 percent.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-12

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Major tourist attractions in Bangkok such as Dream World, Safari World & Siam Park City are open as normal /via@RichardBarrow

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AoT: Parking area provided for flood victims at Suvarnabhumi airport filled, advises passengers to use public transport - taxis, buses, Airport Rail Link /Mcot

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PM can't confirm Bangkok can escape flood, due to uncontrolled factors; says government doing its best /MCOT

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CH 3 just reported live frm Ayutthaya hi-tech industrial park which has not been flooded as rumoured. Not out of danger though /via@terryfrd

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Australian brain damaged after drinking toxic cocktail at Indonesia resort island

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Toyota's Thailand output hit by floods

TOKYO, October 12, 2011 (AFP) - Japan's biggest automaker Toyota said Wednesday production at its three Thailand plants would be halted until at least Saturday due to the impact on suppliers of the country's worst flooding in decades.

While floods have not directly impacted its Samrong, Gateway and Ban Pho plants, Toyota said: "Some suppliers are experiencing delays in supplying parts."

Operations at the three plants have been halted since Monday and Toyota said the suspension would continue through Saturday's morning shift, when the company would take a decision on whether to resume.

A Toyota spokeswoman told AFP that annual production capacity at the three plants totals 650,000 units. In 2010, the plants produced 630,000 units.

"We still cannot say how many units will be affected by the latest production halt, as it is yet to be clear how long the move will last," she said.

Toyota shares were 0.34 percent lower in Tokyo trade on Tuesday.

Massive floods have left hundreds dead across Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, as authorities step up efforts to reach victims of the unusually heavy monsoon rains.

In Thailand the floods have damaged the homes or livelihoods of millions of people, particularly farmers, across about three quarters of the country's provinces.

In its ancient capital Ayutthaya, about 80 kilometres (50 miles) upriver of Bangkok, historic temples have been swamped and a large industrial estate, home to several Japanese electronics and auto parts makers including car giant Honda, has been flooded.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-10-12

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Focus shifts from fighting raging torrent to saving lives: PM Yingluck

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MatichonOnline: Northern bus maintains its service though downtown Nakhon Sawan will b sidestepped. /via@tulsathit

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For railway service, check for latest with 1690. Many routes have been suspended /via@tulsathit

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Flooding threatens major industrial estate in Ayutthaya; evacuation ordered

BANGKOK, Oct 12 - The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) on Wednesday ordered the evacuation of all workers in the Ayutthaya Hi-Tech Industrial Estate due to possible flooding.

IEAT Director Montha Pranutnorapan said the mandatory evacuation announcement followed as earlier request Oct 7 for cooperation from all factories to voluntarily close.

However, the authorities now fear difficulties in evacuation if flooding hits the industrial estate, so it orders immediate evacuation.

According to latest reports, all factories have been shut down and an initial report indicated that the flood breached flood prevention wall at Hi-Tech on Wednesday morning.

The IEAT said Deputy Prime Minister/Commerce Minister Kittirat Na Ranong is inspecting reinforcement and elevation of the flood prevention wall north of the Hi-Tech Industrial Estate from 5.5 metres high to 6.5 metres.

As of 9.30am Wednesday, Hi-Tech Nittsu Co. President Thavich Taychanavakul said that flood has not yet entered the estate in volume but that the substantial water broke a dyke which is being repaired to save the entire estate.

Nearly all 143 factories at the estate are auto parts manufacturers.

Meanwhile, some factories in the Navanakhon industrial zone in Ayutthaya closed in advance of actual flooding in anticipation of the safety needs of workers.

IEAT Director Montha said the agency is working with industrial estates to influence the flooding direction. Ladkrabang, Well Grow, Anyathani and Bangplee industrial estates in eastern Bangkok are on alert for possible flooding.

Flood drainage in the eastern areas may affect four industrial estates – Anyathani Industrial Estate, Ladkrabang Industrial Estate in Bangkok, Well Grow Industrial Estate in Chachoengsao and Bangplee Industrial Estate in Samut Prakan.

IEAT met with the estates to prepare for flooding with reinforcement of flood walls, installing pumps and preparing emergency plans. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-10-12

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Thai composite stocks index (SET) at midday Wednesday stood at 940.11, down 4.69 points /The Nation

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Officials warning residents in Chachoengsao, Pathumthani, Nonthaburi, Meenburi, Nongjok of rising water levels today and tomorrow /TAN_Network

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People Are Stockpiling Foods For Fear Of Bangkok Flooding

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FLOODS

90 fuel/LPG stations closed

The Nation

A number of 90 fuel and LPG stations in 14 provinces were temporarily shut down due to the floods.

The Energy Ministry expects 10 more to close their doors on a daily basis as the deluge hits Bangkok and peripheral provinces.

Energy Minister Pichai Naripthaphan noted that of total, 72 are fuel stations while the remaining 18 are selling LPG. To date 8 LPG compression plants have been shut down.

PTT is now allocating 450,000 litres of fuel to flood victims, distributed through 15-litre gallons. Pichai said that the volume of fuel should be sufficient for two weeks. PTT would be assigned to increase the distribution, if the situation remains dismal.

-- The Nation 2011-10-12

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Chalerm asked to arrest Amsterdam /BP

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If u think Bkk governor's updates r boring, hear this. Bkk governor (quoted by Matichon): All city areas face risks, under 24-hr watch. /via@tulsathit

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Phuket meth users hooked by cosmetic claims

Phuket police are arresting record numbers of ya ice dealers, some of

which claim the drug acts as a ‘skin whitener’ and weight-loss aid.

Dr Natnaiyana Anansiriphand says claims of 'cosmetic benefits' are misguided.

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More landslides strike Phuket

A small landslide at the base of Toh Sae Hill caused a temporary road closure

in Phuket's Muang District yesterday. The road is open to traffic today, despite

the risk of additional slippage. Photo: Warisa Temram

Rassada Mayor Suratin Lianudom points to the landslide risk area behind the

Adisak Equipment company on the bypass road northbound in Phuket.

Photo: Chutharat Plerin

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Jail term promised for unfair goods price increases

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