Thailand Live Tuesday 18 Oct 2011

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BREAKING Chao Phraya river officially renamed Dee Nile, says govt spokesman before sticking head back in sand (bags) # ThaiFloodEng.

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Tsingtao Beer to open brewery in Thailand

Tsingtao Beer - File photo. Source: Wikipedia

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Big C Navanakorn's flood prevention http://yfrog.com/oerhlndj /TAN_Network

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2nd round of evacuation for Navanakorn Industrial Estate as more water floods 30-40% of area /TAN_Network

Due to massive flood, there's a food crisis at 7-11 Nation Tower Bang Na /via@ASEAN_NEWSROOM

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 950.91, down 20.72 points /MCOT

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Nawanakorn right now http://bit.ly/pwauSk /via@ASEAN_NEWSROOM

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Repair of flood barrier around Nava Nakorn completed

BANGKOK, 18 October 2011 (NNT) – Military officials and civilians have together successfully repaired the flood prevention dyke around Nava Nakorn Industrial Estate in Pathum Thani after it was broken by incoming floodwater.

Spokesperson of the Flood Relief Operation Center Wim Rungwattanachinda opened a press conference to announce success in the attempt to restore the flood barrier surrounding Nava Nakorn Industrial Estate in Pathum Thani province to its normal condition. The repair of the dyke, which was ruptured by a massive inflow of water early Monday, has been accomplished with the collaboration between the military and the general public. All fractures have been completely blocked while authorities are ready to drain out the floodwater from the estate immediately.

In response to concerns that the flood would inundate other places near Nava Nakorn Industrial Estate, especially Thammasat University Rangsit Campus where the evacuation center is located, Mr Wim reaffirmed that the areas would be safe from the disaster. However, should the situation get out of hand, he said the Flood Relief Operation Center would issue an alert for local residents well in advance.

-- NNT 2011-10-18

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Thammasat Univ braces for flood, ready to relocate evacuees

BANGKOK, 18 October 2011 (NNT) – Thammasat University has set up a sandbag wall around its evacuation center in preparation for the approaching flood and is planning to relocate evacuees to another building if the preventive measure fails.

Prof Dr Prinya Thaewanarumitkul, Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Thammasat University, revealed that a one-meter-high barrier of sandbags had been erected around Gymnasium 1 of the Rangsit campus, which was being used as a sheltering center for flood victims. The move followed a report that floodwater was heading towards the university from Nava Nakorn Industrial Estate.

At present, Gymnasium 1 is housing 3,600 evacuees in total; half of them are on the ground floor and the other half on the upper level. The ground floor is reportedly 1.2 meters in elevation but is altogether 2.2 meters if combined with the height of the sandbag wall. However, should the barrier fail to hold back the flood, the university has a plan to move occupants on the ground floor to another facility, which is located higher.

Prof Dr Prinya then announced that the evacuation center had already reached its full capacity; therefore, any additional persons seeking shelter should instead go to nearby places, such as Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Sripatum University and Wat Phra Dhammakaya.

-- NNT 2011-10-18

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Paknam Pho municipality in Nakhon Sawan has canceled the official Loy Krathong celebrations (Matichon) /via@RichardBarrow

BKK Govnr: Govt agreed to support 1 million sandbags, but only 120,000 will be handed over today /via@tanatpong_nna

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Abhisit Blames Thai Govt For Misjudging Flood Threat To Nava Nakorn

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Foreigners in Thailand can call 1111 ext. 9 for flooding information and urgent assistance /via@nationnews

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Thailand Webmasters' Association Is Aiming To Raise The Standard Of Thai Webmasters

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Broadband comes to Samut Sakhon

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Train derails in Nakhon Ratchasima Monday night,no casualties reported but northeastern-bound train disrupted /MCOT

Nakhon Ratchasima train services expected to resume Tuesday evening /MCOT

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11.40am] Phaholyothin Rd in front of Thammasat U Rangsit. Water level is 80cm high: http://yfrog.com/18e9llkj /via@phassaphol

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BKK Govnr said BKK is in the unsafe condition but assured that the capital would not sink under the water in a sudden./via@aseanbizreport

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[11.51am] Thammasat University Rangsit is now still safe from flood /via @Aormortor @tukky_nt @tonravee

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Department of Employment to provide 25,000 job vacancies for flood victims

BANGKOK, 18 October 2011 (NNT) – The Department of Employment revealed the plant to prepare up to 25,000 vacancies to support flood-affected workers. Meanwhile, the department also geared up to prepare post-flood assistance project.

According to the public relations unit of the Flood Relief Operations Centre (FROC), Mr Pravit Khiengpol, Director-General of the Department of Employment reaffirmed that every agency under the Ministry of Labour has been in progress in providing assistance to flood-hit workers. Provincial labour offices have been temporarily acting as flood relief centres. Moreover, up to 25,000 job vacancies have already been provided for workers who become unemployed in Rayong, Chon Buri, Prachin Buri and Samut Prakan provinces.

The department is also going to arrange job fairs nationwide and is ready to organize short-term labour workshops for all the people in the evacuation centers. Furthermore, there is also a government-to-government labour transfer project, in which 5,000 agricultural workers will be sent to Israel, the first country under this cooperation. Nevertheless, insured workers have to directly contact provincial employment offices in order to access the chance of participation.

As for the post-flood measures, the Director-General of the Department of Employment stated that occupational trainings will be on offer while announcement will soon be made to identify jobs in the industrial sector in which workers will be able to work from their houses. Also, the Department will support tools and facilities for working.

-- NNT 2011-10-18

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Bank Of Thailand Prints More Notes To Meet Rising Demand During Flood Crisis

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2 Shot Dead in Restive South

The deputy inspector has been shot dead by a war weapon in Pattani Province, while his two subordinates were severely injured in the attack.

Police officials were dispatched to the crime scene at the Panarae - Minburi route, in Panarae District, in Patthani Province.

Deputy Inspector Police Lieutenant Wit Sittitrakoon, 58, was shot dead with head wounds and bullets riddled all over his body.

His two subordinates, Police Senior Sergeant Major Marorsae Mohanad, 39, and Police Senior Sergeant Major Anan Jaema, 40, are in critical condition.

They were both rushed to the Pattani Hospital.

Two pick-up trucks with a number of shots and more than 30 bullet shells of the M-16 and the AK47 were discovered at the scene.

Investigations confirm that the three police officers were tracking down the three vendors that were shot dead on October, 13 in Panarae areas.

On the way, their car was ambushed by five or six gunmen in a pick-up truck that pursued them from behind.

The victims were attacked by war weapons before the suspects escaped towards Saiburi District.

In another case, a villager has been shot dead in Ban Loobodeeyae area in Rangae Distrcit, Narathiwat Province.

A bronze with red-stripe Strada Isuzu pick-up truck was discovered on the roadside at the scene.

50-year-old Former Village-Headman Inspector Pasadee Dueramae was found dead in the car with a shot to his head.

Reports revealed that he was shot by the AK47.

The body has been transferred to the Rangae Hospital for further autopsy.

Pasadee was on the way to deliver Palms to the Bajor Co-op area.

Police officers believe the suspects wanted to stir up unrest in the area.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-18

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Bangkok Governor: Assessment of BMA is More Reliable Than Government

The Bangkok governor assesses the effectiveness of the dike at Rangsit Canal and is asking the government to accelerate their building efforts.

At 7 A.M., a reporter infomed that Bangkok governor M.R. Sukhumbhand Paripatra traveled to assess the effectiveness of the dikes near the U-turn under the bridge across from the Rangsit Canal on Paholyothin Road.

There they found that the water-level is still 50 centimeters from the edge of the dike.

Officials have built four high sandbag walls and are bringing in water-pump trucks to deal with any additional incoming water.

A number of cars were parked on the bridge, though traffic was better today compared to previous mornings.

Local residents on the river banks near the Rangsit Canal have also built sandbag walls in front of their homes.

Bangkok governor M.R. Sukhumbhand Paripatra said the Rangsit area has high water levels.

Hence, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, or BMA, constructed a 80-centimeter high dike that is one kilometer long, while the road is already two meters high.

The dike is thus 2.5 meters high from the sea's mid-level.

However, it is expected that the area will suffer heavily if water from the Klong 8 and Klong 9 canals of Pathum Thani Province flow in to the area.

For this reason, an additional 50 to 80 centimeters of height have been added to the dike, which will require the government's responsibility in taking care of the structure.

If water flows into this area, it is expected that Viphavadee Road will be affected, as it is a stronghold.

The government will be examining the area.

The Bangkok governor went on to say that the information being communicated by the government and the BMA were concordant, but assessments made by the BMA tend to be more accurate and reliable.

He personally believes that areas in Bangkok will not be deluged rapidly.

However, it is still necessary to implement prevention and evacuation plans.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-18

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Bangkok's Sai Mai Residents Threatened by Possible Flooding

Those living along Khlong Hok Wa Canal in Saimai District are quivering in fear after massive amounts of runoff water from the North has already flooded some houses.

Meanwhile, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is rushing to dredge Khlong 2 Canal to keep off Paholyothin Road from flooding.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, or BMA, officials are speeding up their operation to dredge the Khlong 2 Canal in the Sai Mai District to prevent Paholyothin Road from being inundated.

Earlier, the BMA issued a warning that Khlong 2 Canal is one of the most risk-prone areas of being flooded because it could receive runoff from Rungsit Canal and Khlong 6 Canal.

This morning, water in Khlong 2 Canal overflowed, flooding low lying roads and homes along the canal that are now under 10 to 20 centimeters of water.

Meanwhile, the Public Works Department is working quickly to pave the road with asphalt to increase the height of the road by at least 30 centimeters.

However, if the water level of the Khlong 2 Canal continues to rise, the department plans to further raise the road's height so that it serves as an embankment to protect against the flooding that is expected to hit Paholyothin Road.

At the same time, the military, local residents and volunteers have already finished building a 6 kilometer long temporary embankment that goes from Rittiya Wannalai School to Soi Saimai 85.

Officials have committed to monitoring the water levels in Khlong Hok Wa and will be watching it around the clock.

In addition, they have set up a station where they will pile sandbags and use pumps to drain water, should the water level go up dramatically.

However, those living along the Khlong 6 Canal were severely affected by the increasingly high flood water levels.

Villagers are highly stressed and concerned about the situation.

They are not even able sleep because they must monitor the water situation closely.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-18

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Disaster Prev & Mitigation Dept: Flood death toll rises to 315, with 3 people missing; Floods still prevail in 27 provinces

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Thai stocks closed midday Tue at 946.33, down 25.30 pts, 2.60 pct on flood concerns /The Nation

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Celebrities Unite to Help Flood Victims

Celebrities are joining hands in a time of a national crisis to provide means by which the public can donate whatever they can to help flood victims nationwide.

The ongoing flood crisis ravaged 30 provinces across the country, leaving more than 700,000 families distressed and dividing some communities to be completely isolated from the outside world.

People are still in dire need of emergency aid.

The entertainment industry is lending a helping hand to cope with this national crisis.

Many artists and celebrities from various organizations such as Grammy, RS, A-Time Media, and many others are joining hands to help fellow Thais who are in grave distress by the worst flooding to hit the Kingdom in more than 40 years.

The celebrities came out to encourage people to donate to the flood victims and were selling t-shirts under the “Compassionate Hearts against Flooding” campaign.

Mini-concerts were held for fans in which the fun and activities were a collaboration between Thai and international agencies.

Actresses Yui Jiranant was among one of the many celebrities selling the t-shirts.

Since she was also affected by the flooding in her hometown of Ayutthaya, she volunteered to help the flood-stricken locals.

Actor Num Than Thanakorn gave a brief talk, informing the public about areas that have been completely cut off from the outside world due to dangerous flood torrent.

These areas are where emergency aid is most needed, including water and medical supplies.

Many celebrities who participated in the “Compassionate Hearts against Flooding” campaign plan to visit the flood-hit provinces not only to hand out the relief packages but to restore hope and to put a smile on the faces of those who have endured immense hardship over the last few months.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-18

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Surrounding Provinces Accuse Suphan Buri of Unfairly Diverting Flood Water

Many central provinces that are suffering from the flood situation have blamed Suphan Buri Province, which has been largely untouched by the disaster, of unfairly diverting water to other areas.

It has been over a month since more than 2 meters high water swamped over the Muang District of Chainat Province.

A 50 year-old farmer who has been living in the province most of his life claims that the water has been receding very slowly because the flow is being diverted away from the neighboring Suphanburi Province.

He recalled that during the early stage of the flooding, authorities refused to open the flood gate to release the water into Suphan Buri and even though the gate is now open, water drainage has not been as effective as it should be.

Supposedly, the flood water has to flow through Suphanburi Province since it sits on the Tha Chin River.

However, it has been largely spared by the flood while all of its neighboring provinces-- including Uthai Thani, Chainat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong and Ayutthaya have been severely affected.

According to a recent damage survey, most of the flooded areas in Suphan Buri are unused land with no crops.

Meanwhile, only the communities along the Tha Chin River and some canals have been affected as they are every year.

The residents themselves have admitted that they are being taken care of by the provincial leadership, who has diverted the flood waters to other areas.

Even though those in Chainat Province are suffering in the disaster, none of them would like to see their neighbors in Suphan Buri face the same fate.

They only want the authorities to treat all provinces equally in terms of flood management.

In any case, they have vowed to fight on.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-18

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Ayutthaya Residents against Effort to Slow Down Outgoing Floodwater

Ayutthaya residents oppose operations to keep floodwater welled up in the province to protect its neighboring province, Pathum Thani, from becoming submerged, adding that they will be reeling under flood water for months.

Over 300 local people gathered at the Kao Mao Bridge on the Asia Highway in Ayutthaya's Uthai District to protest against the operation of raising a large number of steel flood gates assembled at the Kao Mao Canal.

By doing so, the gates will slow down the runoff from the Pasak River heading to Rojana Industrial Estate and Pathum Thani's Wang Noi Districts respectively.

Villagers insisted that officials must drain the flood water out of the area as soon as possible to prevent any further damage, saying that they have been suffering from the inundation for a long time.

They added that building an embankment would increase flood water levels in their village.

Meanwhile, Uthai Chief District Officer Rewat Prasong failed to negotiate with the protesters.

Consequently, officials have been forced to suspend their operations and brought the heavy machinery back.

The local residents stated that they will continue to block any attempt to construct flood-prevention gates in the area.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-18

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Suvarnabhumi Airport will not be affected by the floods

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Giffarine Factory in Navanakorn Industrial Estate that succeeded in keeping out flood water http://yfrog.com/hs4c6fmj

Inside Navanakorn Industrial Estate http://yfrog.com/kk45429333j

Stranded residents in Navanakorn Industrial Estate http://yfrog.com/nxo7lngj

Flood water littered with garbage inside Navanakorn http://yfrog.com/h6j8wej

/TAN_Network

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AFP: Wary Bangkok bolsters flood barriers

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