Flood Threat To Thai Capital Eases

[webfact]

Thailand ups cost of floods as Bangkok fears ease

by Thanaporn Promyamyai

BANGKOK, October 17, 2011 (AFP) - The flood threat to Thailand's capital appeared to ease Monday but officials warned the crisis was not over and said the economic cost of the disaster would likely be worse than first feared.

Military and civilian authorities have been battling to contain the most serious flooding in decades, which has left more than 300 people dead and seen tens of thousands of people seek refuge in shelters.

Three months of heavy rains have deluged about one third of Thailand's provinces, chiefly in central and northern areas, with floods -- several metres deep in places -- swamping homes and businesses and shutting down industry.

Finance Minister Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala said the floods across the country were likely to cut economic growth this year by around 1.0 to 1.7 percentage points, according to estimates from the Bank of Thailand and the National Economic and Social Development Board.

"The figure is not clear yet but it is likely to be higher than we estimated before," he said.

The previous estimate was 0.9 percent.

Forecasters at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce have estimated the cost of the floods to the Thai economy at about 150 billion baht ($4.9 billion) -- roughly 1.3-1.5 percent of annual gross domestic product.

The floods have disrupted production of cars, electronics and other goods in the kingdom, with factories and roads under water.

"We will find healing measures for the economy after the flood recedes," said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Speaking at the disaster response headquarters at Don Muang Airport in northern Bangkok, Yingluck apologised for authorities' inability to protect Navanakorn industrial estate after a combination of floodwater, heavy rains and high tides overwhelmed the site's defences.

Authorities ordered an evacuation as water began pouring into the area in Pathum Thani province, 45 kilometres (30 miles) from Bangkok, on Monday.

Flood Relief Operation Command (FROC) said there were up to 20,000 people in and around the site, which houses over 200 factories for both local and international firms.

Earlier the body issued a statement saying it was "confident flood waters will not reach Bangkok", with water being diverted through a complex system of rivers and canals around the city.

But irrigation department director general Chalit Damrongsak warned that the situation remained critical as water from low-lying areas north of Bangkok still needed to drain to the sea.

"It is not over," he said when asked about the crisis.

Efforts to protect Thailand's capital have left areas outside the city to bear the brunt of the flooding.

Yingluck has asked the country's military to take charge of the emergency response in five of the kingdom's worst-hit provinces, including the low-lying historic city of Ayutthaya, which has been under water for over a week.

Thai authorities said water levels were receding in Ayutthaya, which lies about 80 kilometres (50 miles) upriver of Bangkok and has seen its ancient World Heritage temples and all five of its industrial estates swamped.

Agriculture minister Theera Wongsamut on Sunday said there were "good signs" that the situation would improve after a large amount of run-off water from the north flowed past Bangkok to the Gulf of Thailand on Saturday.

He added that water levels would be "stable" from now on, easing fears over a seasonal high tide that is expected to continue on Monday before subsiding and will make it harder for water to flow out to sea.

The next high tide period will be between October 28 and 30, officials said.

Conditions in Bangkok remained mostly normal and Suvarnabhumi Airport -- the capital's main air hub, which has flood walls several metres high -- was operating as usual.

Japanese automakers including Toyota have suspended production in the kingdom due to water damage to facilities or a shortage of components.

The floods have also damaged 10 percent of Thailand's rice paddy.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-10-17

[givenall]

"BANGKOK,October 17, 2011 (AFP) - The flood threat to Thailand's capital appeared tohave eased on Monday but officials warned the crisis was not over as militaryand civilian authorities battled the worst inundations in decades."

This part ofthe news really bothers me especially “worst inundations in decades” why didnot they learned from the past and are we going to have the same problem f I happensagain in the future.

I think someoneshould address this and I am sure the thai government will not say much sinceThaksin was in charge 10 years ago

Edited October 17, 2011 by metisdead
Learn to use the Insert quotation feature instead of using bold font for emphasis.

[NCFC]

"BANGKOK,October 17, 2011 (AFP) - The flood threat to Thailand's capital appeared tohave eased on Monday but officials warned the crisis was not over as militaryand civilian authorities battled the worst inundations in decades."

This part ofthe news really bothers me especially "worst inundations in decades" why didnot they learned from the past and are we going to have the same problem f I happensagain in the future.

I think someoneshould address this and I am sure the thai government will not say much sinceThaksin was in charge 10 years ago

There was a really good post on here yesterday from somebody involved in the decision-making at that time. Alledgedly PM Barharn vetoed the expenditure on flood protection, as he couldn't seehow to make money out of it.

All-in-all the Yingluck admisistration has done a pretty good job in a terrible situation. She's proved her metal as Prime Minister, in my opinion.

[siampolee]

She's proved her metal as Prime Minister, in my opinion.

(mettle)

Likewise, " She like the rest of her brothers stooges isn't worth a Brass Farthing."

[YellowFeverCAD]

All-in-all the Yingluck admisistration has done a pretty good job in a terrible situation. She's proved her metal as Prime Minister, in my opinion.

You clearly have a very very low likely underground bar for her to step over.. I don't know a single thai person that thinks she did anything of any value during this crisis I would LOVE to hear from you what exactly she did that proved anything ????

Edited October 17, 2011 by metisdead
Do not modify someone else's post in your quoted reply, either with font or color changes.

[thaicbr]

"BANGKOK,October 17, 2011 (AFP) - The flood threat to Thailand's capital appeared tohave eased on Monday but officials warned the crisis was not over as militaryand civilian authorities battled the worst inundations in decades."

This part ofthe news really bothers me especially "worst inundations in decades" why didnot they learned from the past and are we going to have the same problem f I happensagain in the future.

I think someoneshould address this and I am sure the thai government will not say much sinceThaksin was in charge 10 years ago

There was a really good post on here yesterday from somebody involved in the decision-making at that time. Alledgedly PM Barharn vetoed the expenditure on flood protection, as he couldn't seehow to make money out of it.

All-in-all the Yingluck admisistration has done a pretty good job in a terrible situation. She's proved her metal as Prime Minister, in my opinion.

Really? with half of the industrial estates flooded and major roads flooded ... adequate or even below par.. that would be a better description.

[gl555]

"BANGKOK,October 17, 2011 (AFP) - The flood threat to Thailand's capital appeared tohave eased on Monday but officials warned the crisis was not over as militaryand civilian authorities battled the worst inundations in decades."

This part ofthe news really bothers me especially "worst inundations in decades" why didnot they learned from the past and are we going to have the same problem f I happensagain in the future.

I think someoneshould address this and I am sure the thai government will not say much sinceThaksin was in charge 10 years ago

There was a really good post on here yesterday from somebody involved in the decision-making at that time. Alledgedly PM Barharn vetoed the expenditure on flood protection, as he couldn't seehow to make money out of it.

All-in-all the Yingluck admisistration has done a pretty good job in a terrible situation. She's proved her metal as Prime Minister, in my opinion.

Hahahahaha yeah I guess you'd be pretty impress too if you saw a stray dog bark.

[PoorSucker]

All-in-all the Yingluck admisistration has done a pretty good job in a terrible situation. She's proved her metal as Prime Minister, in my opinion.

[Thaddeus]

All-in-all the Yingluck admisistration has done a pretty good job in a terrible situation. She's proved her metal as Prime Minister, in my opinion.

Tropical Depression.

[pastitche]

"BANGKOK,October 17, 2011 (AFP) - The flood threat to Thailand's capital appeared tohave eased on Monday but officials warned the crisis was not over as militaryand civilian authorities battled the worst inundations in decades."

This part ofthe news really bothers me especially "worst inundations in decades" why didnot they learned from the past and are we going to have the same problem f I happensagain in the future.

I think someoneshould address this and I am sure the thai government will not say much sinceThaksin was in charge 10 years ago

There was a really good post on here yesterday from somebody involved in the decision-making at that time. Alledgedly PM Barharn vetoed the expenditure on flood protection, as he couldn't seehow to make money out of it.

All-in-all the Yingluck admisistration has done a pretty good job in a terrible situation. She's proved her metal as Prime Minister, in my opinion.

Hahahahaha yeah I guess you'd be pretty impress too if you saw a stray dog bark.

What a wonderfully intelligent and salient contribution :sleepy:

[StreetCowboy]

..

...

Hahahahaha yeah I guess you'd be pretty impress too if you saw a stray dog bark.

What a wonderfully intelligent and salient contribution :sleepy:

That's a bit pots and kettles, isn't it?

I reckon if you have to resort to smileys to insult your opponents' intelligence, you're fighting over a wooden spoon.

Waxing back on topic-

Does anyone have any local comment on the ebbing of the floods?

Are there any almanackers out there who can comment on the future?

SC

EDIT: Irrelevant on-topic discussion deleted

Edited October 17, 2011 by StreetCowboy

[KKvampire]

Bangkok Risks Being Under Water in 15 Years

The Chairman of Thailands Disaster Prevention Centre, Dr. Smith Dharmasaroja said in an interview this week that Thailands capital, Bangkok, faces inundation within 15 years as it sinks further below sea level in the Gulf of Thailand and rains. high tides burst the banks of its waterways. Bangkok, once known as the Venice of the East, has filled in most waterways to create roads for its 10 million population, and this year the Chaophraya River burst its banks and dykes, destroying farm land in surrounding provinces and 50% of the country is now under water.

"15 Years" or 15 days?

Edited October 17, 2011 by KKvampire

[metisdead]

A post containing content copied and pasted from a Bangkok Post weather report has been removed.

[tlansford]

"BANGKOK,October 17, 2011 (AFP) - The flood threat to Thailand's capital appeared tohave eased on Monday but officials warned the crisis was not over as militaryand civilian authorities battled the worst inundations in decades."

This part ofthe news really bothers me especially "worst inundations in decades" why didnot they learned from the past and are we going to have the same problem f I happensagain in the future.

I think someoneshould address this and I am sure the thai government will not say much sinceThaksin was in charge 10 years ago

There was a really good post on here yesterday from somebody involved in the decision-making at that time. Alledgedly PM Barharn vetoed the expenditure on flood protection, as he couldn't seehow to make money out of it.

All-in-all the Yingluck admisistration has done a pretty good job in a terrible situation. She's proved her metal as Prime Minister, in my opinion.

Sorry to trouble you, but I didn't see that post - do you have a link to it by chance?

[EvilDrSomkid]

Here it is:

If you continue reading that thread you will see the other posts by Estrada. 1st page is not really interesting.

[tlansford]

Here it is: http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__4768677

If you continue reading that thread you will see the other posts by Estrada. 1st page is not really interesting.

thanks - Tom

[maiphedmaiaroi]

Why all this anti yingluck?

The old arm chair warriors are at it again. :D:D:D

Your in the land of dreams go out and have some fun old boys :D

[StreetCowboy]

Why all this anti yingluck?

The old arm chair warriors are at it again. :D:D:D

Your in the land of dreams go out and have some fun old boys :D

I suppose its just the intellectual challenge that makes me try to relate back to the original topic.

Do you not think, in current circumstances, that tractor inner tubes would be more suitable for the warriors than armchairs?

SC

[OZEMADE]

Why all this anti yingluck?

The old arm chair warriors are at it again. :D:D:D

Your in the land of dreams go out and have some fun old boys :D

I would have to agree with you, Yingluck and all of her Government cant stop nature.

I read tonight that there is a weeks worth of very heavy rain coming down from China that will cover 60 to 70% of the north. With that hitting the North and coming down on top of what is already here and also just in time for the high tides, I dont hold out much hope for Bangkok. Hope I'm wrong but with another industrial site going under today, dont look good.

[Guest]

Take a look at the 'flood barriers' in Pathum Thani and that will give you more cause to worry.

[anon7867763]

Today is worse than yesterday.Our street in Bangkruai is about 1 metre and rising so I don't think I will take the governments advice.

Keep on your guard everybody

[OZEMADE]

Today is worse than yesterday.Our street in Bangkruai is about 1 metre and rising so I don't think I will take the governments advice.

Keep on your guard everybody

Government now says that it may not be able to stop Bangkok being swamped.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Government-on-the-back-foot-30167922.html

Edited October 17, 2011 by OZEMADE

[spirit47]

"BANGKOK,October 17, 2011 (AFP) - The flood threat to Thailand's capital appeared tohave eased on Monday but officials warned the crisis was not over as militaryand civilian authorities battled the worst inundations in decades."

This part ofthe news really bothers me especially "worst inundations in decades" why didnot they learned from the past and are we going to have the same problem f I happensagain in the future.

I think someoneshould address this and I am sure the thai government will not say much sinceThaksin was in charge 10 years ago

There was a really good post on here yesterday from somebody involved in the decision-making at that time. Alledgedly PM Barharn vetoed the expenditure on flood protection, as he couldn't seehow to make money out of it.

All-in-all the Yingluck admisistration has done a pretty good job in a terrible situation. She's proved her metal as Prime Minister, in my opinion.

Last minute chicken run...and it's not over now. Pretty, good job

[PoorSucker]

I would have to agree with you, Yingluck and all of her Government cant stop nature.

Agree, but can we get some leadership.

Every minister comes out now for their 3 min in the sun rain.

[serenitynow]

Today is worse than yesterday.Our street in Bangkruai is about 1 metre and rising so I don't think I will take the governments advice.

Keep on your guard everybody

Government now says that it may not be able to stop Bangkok being swamped.

I don't doubt that there is a person reading this post now that isn't smarter than than those government officials you are all waiting to hear important news from. No one is responsible for your families besides yourselves. Do take care and best of luck.

[Thaddeus]

Today is worse than yesterday.Our street in Bangkruai is about 1 metre and rising so I don't think I will take the governments advice.

Keep on your guard everybody

Government now says that it may not be able to stop Bangkok being swamped.

I don't doubt that there is a person reading this post now that isn't smarter than than those government officials you are all waiting to hear important news from.

3 members, 21 guests and 2 anonymous users.... I'll take that bet.

(as long as I can get the IP addresses of the guests )

Edited October 17, 2011 by Thaddeus

[StreetCowboy]

Why all this anti yingluck?

The old arm chair warriors are at it again. :D:D:D

Your in the land of dreams go out and have some fun old boys :D

I would have to agree with you, Yingluck and all of her Government cant stop nature.

I read tonight that there is a weeks worth of very heavy rain coming down from China that will cover 60 to 70% of the north. With that hitting the North and coming down on top of what is already here and also just in time for the high tides, I dont hold out much hope for Bangkok. Hope I'm wrong but with another industrial site going under today, dont look good.

Nor could King Canute, and that was his point, He could no more stop the Danes than the tides of the sea.

SC

[RickBradford]

Nor could King Canute, and that was his point, He could no more stop the Danes than the tides of the sea.

Huh? Stop the Danes? He was the King of the Danes, who conquered England.

[scotbeve]

"BANGKOK,October 17, 2011 (AFP) - The flood threat to Thailand's capital appeared tohave eased on Monday but officials warned the crisis was not over as militaryand civilian authorities battled the worst inundations in decades."

This part ofthe news really bothers me especially “worst inundations in decades” why didnot they learned from the past and are we going to have the same problem f I happensagain in the future.

I think someoneshould address this and I am sure the thai government will not say much sinceThaksin was in charge 10 years ago

Try a few hundred years my friend.... There actually was a budget USED (as well) from the last junta (administration) but still waiting the answers and results of the 50 ++ Bn baht spent on flood prevention when Mark was directly asked this question. No info forthcoming as of yet..... dead silence....

[Chris Lawrence]

Wonderground.com

By Dr. Jeff Masters

Published: 2:03 PM GMT on October 14, 2011

'Heavy rains in Thailand during September and October have led to extreme flooding that has killed 283 people and caused that nation's most expensive natural disaster in history. On Tuesday, Thailand's finance minister put the damage from the floods at $3.9 billion. This makes the floods of 2011 the most expensive disaster in Thai history, surpassing the $1.3 billion price tag of the November 27, 1993 flood, according to the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED). Floodwaters have swamped fields and cities in 61 of Thailand's 77 provinces, affected 8.2 million people, and damaged approximately 10% of the nation's rice crop. Thailand is the world's largest exporter of rice, so the disaster may put further upward pressure on world food prices, which are already at the highest levels since the late 1970s. Some of the highest tides of the month occur this weekend in the capital of Bangkok, and the additional pressure that incoming salt water puts on the flood walls protecting the city is a major concern. A moderate monsoon flow continues over Southeast Asia, and the latest GFS model precipitation forecast foresees an additional 2 - 5 inches of rain over most of Thailand during the next three days.

Heavy rains due to an active monsoon and moisture from tropical cyclones

Rainfall in September peaked at 574.3mm (22.61") at Nong Kai in Northeastern Thailand, 501mm (19.72") at Uttardit in Northern Thailand, and 1446.7mm (56.96") in Eastern Thailand. For these regions, precipitation averaged 40 - 46% above normal in September. In the week ending Oct. 13, an additional 4 - 8" fell in Central and Thailand, where the capital of Bangkok lies. On Thursday, 38 mm (1.53") fell in Bangkok, and rainfall amounts of 1 - 3" fell over much of Central Thailand. Heavy monsoon rains are common in Thailand and Southeast Asia during La Niña events, and we currently have a weak La Niña event occurring. Ocean temperatures in the waters surrounding Thailand during September and October have been approximately 0.3°C above average, which has increased rainfall amounts by putting more water vapor into the air. The remains of Tropical Storm Haitang and Typhoon Nesat also brought heavy rains in late September. The flooding has also affected neighboring Cambodia, killing at least 183 people. Floods have also killed 18 in Vietnam and 30 in Laos this fall.'

I thought the above weather description defined the extent of the amount of rain that has fallen.

Also on this blog shows Thailand's top 10 Natural Disasters since 1900. This flooding is at the top in terms of damage caused in economic damage cost.

I see some flood mitigation experts and charmed weather statisticians come out in this topic, but can't see where they back themselves with information?

It is extremely hard to mitigate loss during a natural disaster, let alone plan for something that is seen as extreme.

The Government under the circumstances haven't done a bad job.

I just hope there is no more loss of life and the situation will improve.