Thailand Live Tuesday 18 Oct 2011

[george]

Thammasat suspends accepting new evacuees

Thammasat Rangsit campus Tuesday suspended accepting new evacuees as it had accepted them to full capacity of 3,800 people including those from Nava Nakorn industrial estate.

However, it is 8 kilometres away from Nava Nakorn so the university is uncertain whether it would be safe from the flood, Kampol Ruchiwit, the vice rector, said.

Nevertheless, flood-affected people who live around the area but do not stay at the shelter can present their identification card to get donated supplies at 1pm daily.

-- The Nation 2011-10-18

[george]

30 Air Force aircraft based in Don Mueang airport's military terminal have been relocated to U Tapao naval base./Nation

[george]

30 Air Force planes relocated from Don Mueang

Thirty Air Force aircraft based in Don Mueang airport's military terminal have been relocated to three airbases U Tapao naval base in Chon Buri, Wing 41 in Chiang Mai and Wing 1 in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Ten other Air Force aircraft remain at Don Muang airport for possible rescue and receovery missions but are readied for emergency relocation at a three hours’ notice, said Air Force spokesman Air Vice Marshall Monthol Satchukorn.

Weaponries and explosives have been relocated to depots outside Bangkok and equipment needed in landing are moved one metre further up.

Air Force military police are now handling civil affairs inside the airport compound and will supervise evacuation if or when needed.

-- The Nation 2011-10-18

[george]

If the Royal Thai Air Force are deserting Don Muang, isn't that a sign that the evacuees should leave too? #ThaiFloodEng /via @RichardBarrow

[george]

Lat Krabang, Min Buri, Klong Sam wa, and Nong Chok will be affected by flood :BKK Governor #ch3 #thaifloodEng

[george]

Western Digital's exports from Thai plants to fall 60% to Bt80 bn this year after floods shut 2 of its plants,Industry Minister said /Nation

[george]

@tulsathit Irrigation department chief to go on TV pool tonite at 10 pm. Seems he has lots to say.// should we start to panic now?

[george]

PM Yingluck ordered opening of Klong 1- Klong 6 sluice gates 2 relieve flooding. DPMYongyuth'll explain the need 2 residents TR @Tik_NT #thaifloodEng /The Nation

[george]

@VisitThailand The water would be drained to the east of BKK. Affected area would be Klong Sam Wa, Nong Chok, Min Buri, and Lat Krabang

[george]

@tulsathit what is the official explanation for the water not being released from the dams?

@seacorro That's the trouble. We know irrigation dept sent red alert early Sept about dams reaching capacity. Why no action taken's unclear /via @tulsathit

[george]

Democrat Party plans to deduct its MPs' salary to set up flood relief fund. /via @tulsathit

[george]

TR @suthichai: RT @jjetrin: All brands of jet skis have sold out.

[george]

NY Times calls Thai floods man-made disaster caused by illegal logging, poor city planning and water mismanagement. /via @tulsathit

[george]

A 30-m section of flood barriers at Rapeepat Canal near Klong 4 has broken afternoon: http://yfrog.com/nutzucj by @nationphoto #thaifloodEng

[george]

CAT Telecom Set Up Emergency Center To Assure Internet Communications

Read more:

[george]

About 6 billion cubic metres of water will reach Bangkok on Oct 27 or 28: deputy permanent secretary for Natural Resources and Environment.

Plodprasob tells Science Ministry to speed up the production of 20,000 "pants" made by special plastic that help protects wearers. #ThaifloodEng TR @vow_vow

/The Nation

[george]

Flood Relief Operation Center confirms 200,000 paper bags sent to BMA can be used as sandbags /TANN

[george]

BMA governor 'confident'

BMA governor MR Sukhumphan Boriphat reiterated that Bangkokians should listen to him alone about flood situation in Bangkok and that he will issue evacuation warning in ample time if floods are beyond control.

"At the moment, several flood barriers are near completion as the central government gives us 48 hours to do the job".

BMA governor is confident that the government will not open the 5 sluice gates simultaneously to drain flood water from Navanakorn but will wait until BMA finishes its flood barrier construction job.

-- Bangkok Post 2011-10-18

[george]

Thai PBS weather woman and water expert (Dr Seri of Rangsit U) conclude that things are going to be tough for next 10 days.

Focus on Khlong Rangsit & frm sound of it there's crisis at one point there at the moment w. urgent call for sandbag volunteers /Thai PBS

/via @terryfrd

[george]

PM asks interior minister to clarify with the public about the necessity to open floodgates at Rangsit canals 1-6 /TANN

[george]

Urgent!!! Volunteers needed for filling sandbags at Tientawai Temple. Map: http://g.co/maps/xyuqp

[george]

Tomorrow October 19: FROC needs 1000 volunteers for sandbagging at Suwarnabhumi Airport. Shuttle bus departs Donmuang airport at 8am #ThaiFloodEng

They said airport wouldn't flood & now they're asking for 1,000 volunteers. What aren't they telling us? #ThaiFloodEng /via @RichardBarrow

[george]

Flood barriers 'to be ready in time'

In a live telecast, BMA governor MR Sukhumphan Boriphat assures the viewers that BMA has time until 21.00 tomorrow night to finish all flood barriers when the mass of water expected to attack Bangkok North.

Asked if he could tell Bangkokians that Bangkok is 100% safe from the coming flood tide, the governor could not give 100% assurance, saying the flood barriers will be manned 24 hours and that BMA will make them as strong as possible.

However, he expressed worry about people outside the flood barriers in Lat Krabang, Khlong Samwa, Nong Chok and Minburi who are facing flood problems at the moment.

The vunerable spots right now are Paholyothon Rd in front of Zear Department Store which may see flood water from Rangsit canal overflowing. Another area is on Thonburi side around Mahasawat canal, and Bhuddamonthon 4 Rd which is lower than the water level.

-- Bangkok Post 2011-10-18

[george]

Navanakorn 90% submerged

Published: 18/10/2011 at 08:48 PM

The government's flood relief operation centre declared that Navanakorn is about 90% flooded and the water level keeps rising.

The water level is about 60 cm on average but in low lying areas the water is 1.5-2 meters deep. However, Thammasat Rangsit is still safe at the moment. /Bangkok Post

[george]

@RichardBarrow If the factories are being shut down at Ladkrabang the water is going to hit the airport directly to the South of if /via @MarcusBurtBKK

[george]

RT @Schuimpge: Nantana Garden, my home, next to Bangkadi being closed. Water from Maneerin rising fast. Expect flooding tonight. Same PunSab market. If we, Nantana, get flooding, then BKK will be without safe drinking water. Canal next door and lower than Nantana.

[george]

Over 10,000 cars have been parked at Suvarnabhumi Airport by people who are worried about the floods #ThaiFloodEng /via @RichardBarrow

Does anyone now who the committee responsible for the discharge of water from dams is? Do they have a record of decisions made?/via @Bangkokpundit

[george]

Thai Airways will move from Suvarnabhumi Airport to U-Tapao if runway is flooded 1.27cms /via @thaiflood #ThaiFloodEng /via@RichardBarrow

[george]

Nonthaburi areas: Bangyai, Bangkruay, Bang Bua Thong issued warning to move things up at least 1.5 - 2m and brace for possible flooding

[george]

Full protection for Latkrabang Industrial Estate

The Lat Krabang district has placed a close watch on floods around Latkrabang Industrial Estate, with layers of flood barriers, according to district chief Pravit Srivilai.

He noted that much of the water in the eastern district comes from Prawes Burirom Canal, plus some rainwater.

On possible flash floods through Sai Mai district, he said that it would take some time before the water reaches the eastern district. He was more worried over the rainfall.

-- The Nation 2011-10-18