Thailand Live Wednesday 19 Oct 2011

webfact · October 19, 2011

List of shelters by province complete w/ map, address, capacity & contact info: http://t.co/AJOCObJJ [TH] /via@thapanee3miti

Lower NGV supply iminent in Nonthaburi/Pathum Thani/North of Bkk. /via@Biz_TheNation

webfact · October 19, 2011

Lower NGV supply in Nonthaburi/Pathum Thani

The Nation

PTT Plc's three NGV mother stations in Pathum Thani are now having difficulty in transporting the gas to 75 daughter stations which are located in North of Bangkok, Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi.

In a statement, it said NGV is now transported from mother stations outside Pathum Thani. However, as the volume is well below the combined production capacity of the three closed mother stations, some daughter stations may have to wait longer for the delivery.

The three stations have combined capacity of 1,100 tonnes a day.

PTT advised consumers to go to stations located along pipelines, which are numbered over 40 in Bangkok and peripheral provinces. Most of them are on Bangna-Trat, Romklao, Kingkaew, Ratchaphruek and Phaholyothin (inbound) roads as well as Suvarnabhumi Airport. For information, call 1365 press 5.

-- The Nation 2011-10-19

webfact · October 19, 2011

A beautiful pink sunset over Sathorn district, Bangkok: http://yfrog.com/kjozalxj /via@Saksith

webfact · October 19, 2011

Future Park Rangsit shopping mall to remain closed for another day tomorrow; those with cars parked there urged to leave cars there /TAN_Network

Bangkok Governor: Most Nava Nakorn Industrial Estate, Rapeepat Canal water to arrive at Rangsit Canal tomorrow, to Hok Wa Canal Friday; preparations underway /MCOT

Lite Beer · October 19, 2011

Bangkok governor orders first evacuation for northern Bangkok

Sai Mai and Rittiya Wannalai schools can accommodate about 1,000 persons and the evacuation should be done within 24 hours, he said.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA, Bangkok’s City Hall) is reinforcing and elevating the dyke along the Hok Wa canal to a height of 3.50 metres from the existing 2.50 metres.

The evacuation alert is the second statement from the Bangkok governor Wednesday after he earlier today warned Bangkok residents in seven flood-prone districts to be on heightened alert and move their belongings to upper floors, unplug electrical appliances and to study the BMA’s evacuation plan in case of emergency.

The City Hall warning came after many parts of dykes at the Raphiphat canal in Pathum Thani have been breached since Tuesday, causing water to overflow into the Rangsit canal, posing flood threat to northern and eastern districts of the capital.

The BMA was informed by the Flood Relief Operations Centre (FROC) that a massive stream of 1.2 billion cubic metres of northern run-off water is estimated to pass Rangsit plain which can absorb about 400 million cubic metres of water.

The remaining 800 million cubic metres of water could impact dykes in eastern Bangkok and may overflow into vulnerable areas in seven districts.

The seven districts include Sai Mai, Klongsamwa, Bang Khen, Nong Chok, Min Buri, Lat Krabang, and Kannayao. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-10-19

Lite Beer · October 19, 2011

No chemical leaks at Nava Nakorn Industrial Estate

Minister of Public Health Wittaya Buranasiri said the Pollution Control Department and Department of Health have inspected that area and confirmed that there were no chemical substances in the area that could have affected humans.

However, as a safety precaution, the authorities who helped evacuate residents and workers from the industrial estate will wash themselves with clean water after their mission is complete.

Teams have been set up to closely monitor the situation in the estate, similar to other industrial parks and zones, he said, adding that the Ministry of Industry has ordered the preparation of preventive measures.

Nava Nakorn Executive Board Chairman Nopporn Chandawanich also said no chemicals had leaked from any factory in the estate because the estate prepared to cope with flooding since September.

The factories moved their hazardous chemicals for storage at premises more than10 metres high, he said, adding that the chemicals used in the water treatment ponds have been diluted.

Meanwhile, Bangchak Petroleum President Anusorn Sangnimnuan acknowledged that floodwaters overflowed into the company's solar power plant in Ayutthaya's Bang Pa-in district. The Bangchak subsidiary, Sunny Bangchak, was built with an investment cost of about Bt4 billion.

Mr Anusorn said the temporary dykes could not withstand the fast-moving water flow, submerging the premises under one metre of water, but all important equipment has already been moved to higher ground.

He reaffirmed that Bangchak's oil depot and its biodiesel factory are safe, and that workers are reinforcing the dykes as the floodwater could linger for a month. However there are still some obstacles for sand transport due to the deep floodwaters on the way to the factories.

Sunny Bangchak reportedly sold 8-megawatt of electricity from solar power to the Provincial Electricity Authority since August, in the first phase of the company's investment which still needs substantial additional investment to complete the whole project to produce 120 megawatts of solar power. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-10-19

Lite Beer · October 19, 2011

Banks promise unlimited assistance

The Nation

Thai Bankers Association promises an unlimited amount of financial assistance to bank clients affected by the disastrous floods.

In a statement released today, the association insisted that the assistance is through debt rescheduling, a cut in principal, and a cut in interest rates to as low as zero per cent.

"Yet, this depends on the actual severity of the problems of each client," it said. On Finance Minister Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala’s notion yesterday that he was disappointed with commercial banks’ relief measures, the association insisted that its members have successively extended financial assistance to affected clients for their quick recovery.

-- The Nation 2011-10-19

Lite Beer · October 19, 2011

7 flood-risk areas in Bkk districts: Saimai, Bnag Khen, Nong Jok, Klong Sam Wa, Minburi, Lad Kra Bang after Klong 2, 4, 5 and 6 sluice gates were opened to let upstream water into Rangsit Canal, says Bkk Govnr /Via@ASEAN_NEWSROOM

From AOT: All airports in Thailand, including Suvarnabhumi, not affected by the floods & operating normally (via @LittleBearCool)/Via@ASEAN_NEWSROOM

Lite Beer · October 19, 2011

Water runoff from north arriving capital faster: Bangkok governor

At his third press briefing today at Rittiyawannalai School 2, the governor said that floodwater from the north of Bangkok --from Nava Nakorn Industrial Estate in Pathum Thani -- would first arrive at Bangkok, followed by Rapeepat Canal but without a specified volume or timing, and was expected at Rangsit Canal Thursday night and to flow to the lower Hok Wa Canal on Friday.

He said the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA, City Hall) would raise the dyke along the lower Hok Wa Canal from 2.50 metres above mean sea level to 3 metres and widen the dyke’s base by tomorrow, one day earlier than scheduled.

City Hall will ask the First Army Area headquarters to provide manpower, and districts with no flooding problem were ordered to send workers to help build the dyke higher and wider.

Sukhumbhand said he ordered the Sai Mai district office to announce to residents that 200 households near the dyke along lower Hok Wa Canal and 1,200 households on Klong Song Canal should move to shelters provided by the BMA for their safety.

The governor explained that it was not evacuation alert but said it was to inform the residents to move from their homes for their safety.

The Bangkok governor said the BMA would work around the clock and was scheduled to make its next press briefing at 9pm at Bangkok City Hall. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-10-19

Lite Beer · October 19, 2011

International School of Bangkok (ISB) will be closed tomorrow and Friday as a precaution for #ThaiFloodEng./Via@KristieKenney

Lite Beer · October 19, 2011

Thanachart Bank's executives and staff help prepare life support bags: 5,000 sets worth Bt1.5 mn to be distributed by the Navy./@Biz_TheNation

Lite Beer · October 19, 2011

Thailand flooding: Bangkok districts put on alert

Residents of seven districts of Bangkok have been told to move valuables to higher ground and be ready to evacuate, as flooding which has swamped northern Thailand approaches the capital.

More than 300 people have been killed in the worst flooding to hit the country in decades.

The army and volunteers are working to shore up flood defences in Bangkok but there are fears barriers will not hold.

Officials said earlier this week that the capital would be safe.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra admitted on Wednesday that her government had been overwhelmed by the scale of the crisis, the Associated Press news agency reported.

Continued http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-15368177

-- BBC 2011-10-19

Lite Beer · October 19, 2011

On Thai PBS, weather woman (Darunee?) & expert (Dr Seri) dispelled rumours that BKK would be flooded tonight./@terryfrd

Water, esp. fiield water, doesn't move that fast. Khlong Rangsit a concern, however, coz it would soon be taking in water beyond capacity/@terryfrd

Lite Beer · October 19, 2011

Pls don't panic. Don't evacuate too soon/ unless officers come 2 ur aide. Otw will b chaos like NavaNakorn: army chief Prayuth. Via @Tik_NT/Via@Aim_NT

Lite Beer · October 19, 2011

FROC: water will rise by 50 to 1 metre in Pathum Thani's Muang, Klong Luang, Nong Sua, Sam Kok, Lad Lumkaew./Via@veen_NT

FROC: All asked not to re-enter Nava Nakorn, with 3-metre water level, for their safety./Via@Biz_TheNation

FROC: risky areas in Nakhon Pathom - Muang, Bang Lane, Nakhon Chaisri and Buddhamondhol districts/water level to up 30-50cm/via@Biz_TheNation

FROC annoucement: Residents of Bkk's Klong Sam Wa, NongJok, Min Buri, Ladkrabang, Kannayao must place belongings higher than 1.20(Parts of) Those 5 areas have already been 1-1.20 meter-high water. Flood level is now steady (not rising).Other Bkk's areas under 24-hr watch are Saimai and Bangkhen. Again, moving things higher is strongly advised /Via@Tulsathit

For Pathu Thani, floods can be 50cm-1 m higher in Muang, Klong Luang, Nong Sua, Sam Kok, Ladlumkaew districts.For Nonthaburi, floods will be btw 50cm-1 m high in Muang, Bangsai, Pakkred, Bangboathong, Bangkruey, Sainoi districts./Via@Tulsathit

In Nakhon Pathom, floods will be 30-50cm high in Muang, Banglen, Nakhonchaisri, Sampran, Dontoom, Kampaengsaen, Buddamonthon. In Samut Sakhon, floods in Muang, Ban Praew and Krathumban disticts will b 30-50cm high./Via@Tulsathit

This announcement calls for preparation (moving things to high ground/floor) only. If evacuation needed, ppl will be told ASAP.The announcement was read by Pracha. The rare authoritative voice from FROC./Via@Tulsathit

Lite Beer · October 19, 2011

At FROC, Irrigation repeated that they had been unable to carry out planned flood prevention, resulting in massive water flow & breaches./@terryfrd

Good news, Irrigation chief said, was that much of water had gone into rice fields, bad for ppl there, but slowing water flow towards BKK.//@terryfrd

Lite Beer · October 19, 2011

FROC: evacuess,factory owner not permitted 2 return 2 NavaNakorn Industrial Estate as water surpassed 3m high, needs permission if necessary/@ASEAN_NEWSROOM

Lite Beer · October 19, 2011

Get impression that RID chief believes villager resistance to shutting flood gates above & below Rapipat canal was very significant./@terryfrd

Should say resistance to shutting flood gates above and opening them below the canal. Wonder if that was behind calls for SOE/@terryfrd

Lite Beer · October 19, 2011

Thai cats like sandbags too.@WomenLearnThai

Lite Beer · October 19, 2011

FROC Designates Sai Mai and Bang Khen Districts on 24-HR Watch

UPDATE : 19 October 2011

Chairman of the Flood Relief Operations Command, or FROC, Pracha Promnok announced that residents of Klong Sam Wa, NongJok, Min Buri, Lad Krabang, and Kannayao have to move their belongings to higher ground, higher than 1.20 meters.

He said that parts of those districts have already been inundated and the water level will remain steady.

Two specific areas of the capital, namely Sai Mai and Bang Khen districts, are strong advised to move their valuables to higher ground as well. These two districts are under FROC’s 24-hr watch.

As for Pathum Thani Province, it is possible that flooding reach 50 centimeters to one meter in Muang, Klong Luang, Nong Sua, Sam Kok, Lad Lum Kaew districts.

In Nonthaburi, Muang, Bang Sai, Pakkred, Bang Bua Thong, Bangkruay, Sainoi districts will see flooding between 50 centimeters and one meter high.

In Nakhon Pathom, the highest flooding will be seen in Muang, Banglen, Nakhonchaisri, Sampran, Dontoom, Kampaengsaen, Phutthamonthon at around 50 centimeters.

As for Samutsakhon, floods in Muang, Ban Praew and Krathumban districts will be between 30 to 50 centimeters high.

Pracha reiterated that the announcement is merely an advisory for residents in mentioned areas to move their belongings and is not an evacuation order.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-19

Lite Beer · October 19, 2011