Thailand Live Wednesday 19 Oct 2011

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Phuket road works causing commuter woes

The Phuket Highways District says the resurfacing, the first in 13 years,

is needed to improve tire traction on the road.

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UPDATED 19 October: Maps of Flood Risk Areas in Bangkok: http://bit.ly/qlId0X /via@RichardBarrow

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 958.91, up 6.16 points /MCOT

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[9.50am] Klong 1 - Klong 6 sluice gate have been opened to drain water: Interior Minister /via @tukky_nt

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Saransiri Chaengwatana-Ratchapruk Flood levels. Rising steadily. http://yfrog.com/moubcslj /via@hwc001

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Thai government donates 6 million THB to help flood victims in Cambodia and Vietnam

BANGKOK, 19 October 2011 (NNT) – The Thai government has contributed three million THB to Cambodia and Vietnam each, to support flood relief efforts in the neighbouring countries.

Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul recently handed the cash donations together with letters of condolence from Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to Cambodian ambassador You Aye and Vietnamese ambassador Ngo Duc Thang.

In the letters, the Prime Minister stated that the disaster was a challenge that had never happened before and had caused immense damages. On behalf of the Thai government and people, Ms Yingluck vowed to stand side by side with the two countries in the face of the catastrophe and expressed hope that Asean and other friendly nations would render their hands in solving the situation.

The deluge in Cambodia has killed 247 people and affected 1.2 million others while 2.4 million rai of farmland has been damaged. In Vietnam, 43 people were killed and over 70,000 houses damaged while over 300 square kilometers of rice fields have been under floods. The deluge is regarded as the severest in several decades in Southeast Asia.

-- NNT 2011-10-19

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Bangkok Business Hub Prepare Against Flooding

The traders in the economic hub of Bangkok are rushing to prepare preventive measures against possible flooding.

However, they expressed confidence that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration can handle the flood situation.

Traders in the Bangkok's business zones such as the Rajprasong District, Siam Paragon, and Siam Square, are bracing for inundation after the flood hit the Bangkok's northern outskirts, creating panic that it would spread into the inner area.

Consequently, most traders have piled up sandbag barricades and reinforce temporary embankments.

Some even build barricades with concrete blocks and cement to prevent flood fluxing into their shops.

At the same time, Chulalongkorn University installed water pumps in Siam Square to drain excessive water after it has severely flooded due to heavy downpour.

Lakkana Pollasin, a florist at the Thao Maha Phrom Erawan Shrine in Rachaprasong junction, said that the number of Asian and European tourists paying homage to Thao Maha Phrom plummeted due to rampant flooding.

She added that although officials have not issued a warning in the district, they are well prepared for possible flooding.

Meanwhile, a peddler in Rajprasong junction, Narong Thaonor is nonchalant about the flooding, saying it is unlikely that the floods would hit the business area.

He reiterated that flooding in provinces have not affected him because trade and tourism in the area are continuing as usual.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, or BMA, are building additional barriers to prevent floodwater entering Bangkok.

They ensured that the flood would not reach the inner city.

However, traders should stay alert and be prepared.

They have set up a flood operation center with officials working around the clock to monitor the water level in the Sansaeb Canal and the Chao Phraya River.

If the water level increases rapidly, the center will inform all traders within six hours.

The center has also stationed necessity items such as sandbags and water pumps to manage the water situation frequently.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-19

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs

[ 19 October 2011, 09.30 hrs ]

The Flood Relief Operations Center (FROC) held its daily briefings on the flood situation for 18 October 2011, which was aired live on NBT Channel 11

The average level of water at Navanakon Industrial Estate was at sixty centimeters, and floods have affected the entire area. The evacuation process has been according to plan. For Rapipat Canal, the Army is reinforcing the defensive walls, and floodgates around the area have been opened to drain some water out to the east of Bangkok to reduce the impact of the water from Navanakon and western Bangkok. Evacuation centers now include Rajamangkala University of Technology for 2,000 people, Thanyarat School for 300 people, Teepangkorn School for 200 people, Department of Provincial Administration for 450 people, Changwattana Government Complex for 4,000 people, Terminal 2 of Don Muang Airport for 2,000 people, Horwang School for 500 people, Sarawittaya School for 100 people, and Don Muang Thahanakardbumrung School for 1,000 people. Each province has provided evacuation centers since 12 October 2011 and the public can visit website www.dopa.go.th, which provides important information.

Follow this link: http://www.mfa.go.th/web/3082.php

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Min Yongyuth: floodgates at Rangsit Canals 1-6 now opened to prevent flooding in inner BKK but causing massive flooding in Rangsit /TAN_Network

Future Park Rangsit closed today as flooding out front is severe /TAN_Network

Bkk gov has warned of possible flooding in Thung Rangsit due to problems at flood walls btw Klong 3-Klong 6. /via@tulsathit

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The growing Bkk flood alert has much to do with the problems at Repeepat canal, the governor says.

BMA flood updates will be done every 3 hours: Bkk governor

Bkk gov says if Bkk is to be flooded, waters won't come cascading in. Ppl will get advanced warnings and have time to cope.

/via@tulsathit

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11 am: Bang Boa Thong, Nonthaburi, is now largely flooded. Water 1 meter high at some spots. /via@wannasiri_

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BMA Warns 7 Eastern Districts of Rising Water

The Bangkok governor is warning seven eastern districts of the capital to brace themselves for rising flood water. He said the result of yesterday's collapse of the Rapeepat levee in Pathum Thani is increased flood water flowing south into eastern Bangkok. The districts include Lad Krabang, Nong Jok, Meenburi, Klong Sam Wa, Kannayao, Sai Mai, and Bangkean.

He reiterated that his is merely the first warning and officials expect the runoff to reach critical levels in 24 hours. Residents are advised to start moving their belongings to higher ground.

The BMA will be updating Bangkok residents every three hours form here on out.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-19

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Riverside Community Suffers Waves Made by Boats

As the water level of the Chao Phraya River continues to rise, people living along its bank are suffering from boat-made waves striking their homes and affecting their businesses.

The waves created by boats running at high speeds are striking the wooden riverbank, causing splashes in a Chao Phraya riverside community in Tha Tien District, annoying vendors, pedestrians, and tourists.

Residents living in the affected communities have lodged complaints with the Marine Department, asking it to order boats to limit their speed, but their requests have not been met.

The waves bring debris to their homes, and the problem gets worse when the river level goes down in the morning until noon.

A firm operating sight-seeing boats on the Chao Phraya River says they are aware of the Marine Department's announcement on speed limits, and the owner has cautioned his staff over the restriction.

He admitted that some drivers of his boats travel faster than the limit, causing waves to hit the riverbank.

The impact from the waves has caused a loss of income for the people living along Chao Phraya River, as they cannot properly run their shops or work.

Meanwhile, sales at Thaphrachan Market near Chao Phraya river have gone down by more than 50 percent.

The current flood situation caused fewer shoppers to travel to the market but its vendors continue to open their shops and cope with recurring costs such as rental fees.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-19

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Phaholyothin Highway Coming to Fast Recovery

Officials are working on covering the Phaholyothin Highway to reopen for those traveling to the North, while the floodwater-level in Nakhon Sawan Province continues to decrease.

Officials from Jiraprawat Military Camp in Nakhon Sawan Province and officials from Nakhon Sawan Highways Department Bureau 1 deployed large machines to build dykes along the Phaholyothin.

Highway near the conjunction at the Dechatiwong Bridge to Wiang Doi 's conjunction to reopen the road for traffic transportation.

It is expected to be reopened by tomorrow.

Now, it is only available for officials to pass through for rescuing flood victims in inundated areas.

Meanwhile, the water-level of the main rivers in Nakhon Sawan Province continues to decrease 2-3 centimeters per day as well as the water-level at the municipality.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-19

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Volunteers URGENTLY needed at Thientawai Temple in Pathum Thani to fill up sandbags for flood barriers

/TAN_Network

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Bangkok Governor warns 7 districts of approaching northern run-off

BANGKOK, Oct 19 - Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra on Wednesday declared seven districts of the Thai capital to be on alert for approaching northern flood run-off while advising residents in these vulnerable districts to move their belonging to higher ground.

The Bangkok governor said the seven districts are Sai Mai, Klongsamwa, Bang Khen, Nong Chok, Min Buri, Lat Krabang, Kannayao and that he will keep updating the water situation to

the public every three hours.

The first warning issued for Bangkokians was made by the governor amid fears that the temporary dykes will be unable to withstand the volume of floodwaters, flowing from Rangsit Canal. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-10-19

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Bangkok Residents Build Floodwalls To Prevent Flooding

Residents in Muang Ake and Don Muang areas have built floodwalls more than one meter high to prevent the floodwater flowing into their homes, even though the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration assured the floodwater will not enter ares in Bangkok.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration or BMA increased the height of sandbag-walls constructed near the Rangsit Prayoonsak Canal under the Kaew Bridge to the floodgate at South-Rangsit to 50 centimeters.

However, local residents and shopkeepers in Don Muang to Muang Ake areas, including Rangsit University, remain wary and have built flood walls more than one meter high in front of their homes because their areas are risk-prone to floodwater run-off from other provinces.

A number of people are monitoring the situation closely around the clock and have prepared prevention and evacuation plans for upcoming water.

Regarding the flood situation in the Rangsit Market, it has been reported that the floodwater has been widening and reached the 200-year-old Rattanakosin Village with more than 30 centimeters of water.

Officials have been built the dykes from the street isle to the Pathumvech Hostpital, forcing local residents to walk through the water with more than 60 centimeters.

Elsewhere, the Vipavadee-Rangsit road and alongside the front of the Future Park Rangsit Mall to Nawanakon road contain large volumes of water, forcing the Rangsit Tesco Lotus Mall and the U-turn in front of the Future Park Rangsit Mall to Nawanakon road to temporarily close down.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-19

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Rangsit Water Sluice Gate Damaged by Floods

The Flood Relief Center reported that the flood sluice gates in Rangsit Canal have been damaged.

The center pledged to repair it within two days.

Yesterday, Flood Relief Operation Center Spokesperson Wim Roongwattanajinda reported that the two sluice gates stationed at Khlong 3, Khlong 4, and Rapeepat canals have been damaged.

The center formed a special team to repair the dykes.

It is expected that the repair would finish within two days.

Wim laid out the flood management plan for the eastern side, saying that the Center will drain the water to Phra Ong Chao Chaiyanuchit canal heading to Khlong Dan Floodgate and the Gulf of Thailand respectively.

As for the western stream, the center will discharge the overflow from Nava Nakorn Industrial Estate to Chiang Rak Noi, Chiang Rak Yia, Sarapan canals and Chao Phraya River respectively.

Nava Nakorn Hospital Director Teeravut Kaweetanamanee stated that the flooding forced the hospital to close down yesterday.

As of now, the hospital remains without electricity.

The hospital successfully transfered 10 patients that were stranded while the flood struck the first floor of the hospital to Nava Nakorn II Hospital in Ayutthaya province.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-19

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Bangpakong Industrial Estate Has Prepared For Flooding

A number of manufacturers at Bangpakong Industrial Estate have been preparing for possible flooding.

Eurotech Engineering International company representative Supawut Kumpanon said more than 500 manufacturers in Bangpakong Industrial Estate have been preparing for the run off.

According to the Eurotech representative, the company has installed 5,000 sandbags as high as 60 centimeters.

They have set up water pumps to drain water from the area and security guards were hired to monitor the situation 24 hours a day.

The Asia Kangnum Limited company representative added that a total of three water pumps have been prepared and sandbag walls have been built to prevent flooding.

Many products and equipment were moved to higher ground.

The Bangpakong Industrial Estate is located on Bangnah-Trat route in the BOI region 2, 57 kilometers from Bangkok, and 42 kilometers from Suvannabhumi Airport.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-19

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Flood protection for your car - 'Water away capsule' Homepro Expo

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More volunteers needed at Don Mueang Airport

BANGKOK, 19 October 2011 (NNT)-The Flood Relief Operations Center still needs more volunteers to help flood victims while private companies are offering 3,000 job opportunities for those who have lost their jobs to floods.

Helps have been coming in from all directions as volunteers continue to pack up relief bags containing food supplies and other necessities at the Don Mueang Airport. The efforts have been provided by not only the government and private sectors, but ordinary people have also given up their time to lend a helping hand to help flood victims.

Their participation has also been supported by Saha Farms Company Limited which is providing them with fried chicken while they are packing the relief bags. A headhunter company, HR Digest, has set up a job center for those who lost their jobs. 3,000 jobs on offer are located in industrial estates in Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan province, Chonburi and Rayong, all of which have not been affected by the deluge.

Those who are interested can contact the Flood Relief Operations Center at Don Mueang or call 02-953-9693 ext 5 for more information. Meanwhile, more donations are still invited and can be made directly at the FROC or via a saving account no. 067-0-06895-0 of Krung Thai Bank’s Government House branch. Donors will be able to use the receipt to get a tax reduction. For more information please call 02-281-4130.

-- NNT 2011-10-19

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PM denies govt covering up flood information; urges others not to play political games, join those fighting flood problem /MCOT

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Apple has seen supply chain snags as a result of flooding in Thailand, CEO Tim Cook said

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The factories affected are mainly supplying components for the company’s Mac computers, Apple's CEO Tim Cook said. /via@ThanongK

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Toshiba Factory at Bangkadi Industrial Estate in Pathum Thani preparing sandbags http://yfrog.com/kk57pqlj

Sony factory at Bangkadi Industrial Estate http://yfrog.com/kjrefwbj

Earth dike being reinforced at Bangkadi Industrial Estate http://yfrog.com/ody8hhj

Factory owners at Bangkadi Industrial Estate discuss flood prevention http://yfrog.com/o0q3xcyj

Bangkadi Industrial Estate ready for flood water http://yfrog.com/obfdvsj

/TAN_Network

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Future Park Rangsit close following floods

Future Park Rangsit department store in in Pathum Thani province suspended its service on Wednesday after the areas have been hard hit by flooding.

The decision came after the areas and roads in the province were under water.

The department store will evaluate the situation on the daily basis.

Meanwhile Big C and Home Pro superstores there are still open between 10am to 8pm.

-- The Nation 2011-10-19

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Artist Yanni who performed in Bangkok last night will go help sandbagging in Sai Mai district: Deputy Bkk Gov /via @veen_NT

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AFP: Thai PM Appeals For Unity Amid Flood Crisis

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Democrat calls on govt to declare state of emergency

The Democrat Party Wednesday called on the government to declare the state of emergency to allow officials to work with more efficiency to contain floods.

Democrat deputy spokesman Sakonthee Phatthiyakul said the flood situation was getting worse but the government was stubborn and would not heed advice of several sides.

Sakonthee said the government would not heed the advice of opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva to declare the state of emergency to integrate operations of all sides and increase efficiency.

The state of emergency would also allow the authorities to handle the masses more easily.

-- The Nation 2011-10-19

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Evacuation warning issued for communities around Rangsit Klong 6 to Sai Mai District /TAN_Network

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Energy Ministry assures no power shortage

The Nation

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand has raised the spinning reserve to 1,800 megawatts, as its power plant in Wang Noi, Ayutthaya, is shut down due to floods.

However, Patchara Naripthaphan, the Energy Ministry’s spokesman, assured all that there would be no power shortage, as a large number of industries temporary shut down their plants while a number of residents leave their home. Such led to a cut in power demand by 1,200MW.

A 3.4-metre flood wall is erected around the North Bangkok Power Plant, which is feeding power to Bangkok, to prevent overflows from the Chao Phraya River.

-- The Nation 2011-10-19