Thailand Live Thursday 20 Oct 2011

[webfact]

FROC head affirms situation at Waterworks Canal now under control. Traffic on expressway near Chaengwattana congested, cars parked 1-2 lanes. /TAN_Network

[webfact]

Announcement of Warning on Flooding Situation in Bangkok (20/10/2011)

Seven districts of Bangkok are at risk of flooding and people in the areas should move their belongings to higher places, according to Bangkok Governor Sukhmbhand Paribatra. The seven districts are Lat Krabang, Nong Chok, Minburi, Khlong Samwa, Kannayao, Saimai, and Bangkhen.

MR Sukhumbhand said the flood water was heading down to these areas through the broken dyke at Khlong Rapipat. The water level could be higher than the floodwalls of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and inundate the districts.

The Bangkok governor said BMA would provide information about water situation in risk areas every three hours.

He stressed that this warning was not a signal for an immediate evacuation as the water level would slowly rise and the local residents would have about 24 hours for preparations.

According to the close monitoring of the flood situation by BMA, it appears that a volume of flood would reach Khlong Rangsit by 20 October 2011 and consequently reach Khlong Sam Wa by the day afterwards. BMA, therefore, is increasing the height of the water barrier along the Khlong Hok Wa from 2.50 meters to 3.00 meters. above the Mean Sea Level. In assisting the performance of this enormous task the First Army Region has provided BMA with great number of personnel. The task will be performed around the clock and would be finished by today (October 20).

BMA has additionally designated five more locations for the preparation of sand bags, namely,

1) The Rithayawannalai School 2

2) The Khlong Lum Mor Taek Area

3) The Hathairaj Road Area

4) The Center for Construction and Maintenance No. 1

5) The Center for Construction and Maintenance No. 3

BMA suggested people living above the water barriers along the Khlong Hok Wa and the Khlong Song may seek temporary accommodation at the designated Centers of Relief Operation.

It should be noted that this procedure is not an evacuation but parts of the steps of mobilization.

Source: http://thailand.prd.go.th/view_inside.php?id=5927

-- thailand.prd.go.th 2011-10-20

[webfact]

Traffic Police: No cars will be allowed to park on expressways (exemption near entries/exits,u-turn brdges.Will be removed by authorities. /TAN_Network

Police are asking motorists to remove their cars ASAP from overpasses in Bangkok as they are blocking traffic. /via@RichardBarrow

Flood risk to waterworks canal (Klong Prapa) under control.Traffic on expressway near Chaengwattana, Prachachuen, Ngarmwongwarn congested w/ parked cars /The Nation

[webfact]

Prapa Canal on Samsen Rd not seeing an overflow http;//yfrog.com/hwk7uaj

Floodgate at Samsen Canal this morning http://yfrog.com/kjgudcrj

Water diverted from Prapa Canal to Samsen Canal to help relieve overflow http://yfrog.com/klj5jiyj

/TAN_Network

[webfact]

Trains are running between Bangkok & Ayutthaya three times a day (TNN) /via@RichardBarrow

[webfact]

Maybe govt should declare national holidays to allow concerned Bangkokians to get their cars out of city. /via@tulsathit

[george]

Bangkok Immigration

Immigration Bureau at Chang Watthana, Bangkok is open as usual but traffic/parking may be a problem:

Read more:

[webfact]

Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 919.13, down 19.06 points /MCOT

Govt has dismissed fears about quality of tap water. /via@tulsathit

Chalerm, barking like a mad dog before the deluge, silent as a grave since floods approach his pink Bentley. Chalerm where are you! /via@bangkokDan

It's a long weekend (Sat-Mon) for Chulalongkorn Day. Maybe Bangkokians should take this opportunity to head to the hills /via@RichardBarrow:

[webfact]

City conditions remain at strict-surveillance stage. It's not critical yet. Prevention system still functions well. /via@tulsathit /via@bangkokgovernor

[webfact]

Water in Prapa Canal recedes after rising to flood parts of roadway http://bit.ly/qqP4Qb /MCOT

BKK Gov says the situation in Bangkok is not critical. I think tourists advised to fly to Chiang Mai or Phuket instead /via@RichardBarrow

[george]

Pathumthani Immigration and Ayutthaya Immigration temporarily moved

Pathumthani Immigration and Pranakhonsriayuthaya Immigration now temporarily serve at Chaengwattana. #ThaiFloodEng

More info:

[webfact]

Pathumthani Immigration and Pranakhonsriayuthaya Immigration now temporarily serve at Chaengwattana

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Police Asking Residents to Remove Their Cars from Public Roads

Metropolitan Police and the Expressway Police are asking residents who left their cars on expressway entrances and overpasses in Bangkok during this morning's panic to remove their cars.

The expressway authorities are allowing cars with the owner's name and contact details in full view to stay. All cars without such information will be towed.

As for cars left on intersection overpasses and bridges, local police are asking that they be removed immediately as they are causing heavy traffic congestion throughout the capital.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-20

[webfact]

Those needing help, trapped in houses are advised to place a white cloth in front of homes as a distress signal - FROC /via@ThaiKhuFah

[webfact]

Allowed or not, some have already taken liberty to park on expressways http://t.co/ekZN52nC /via@sutichai

[webfact]

Thai Airways Operates Special Flight During Flooding

Thai Airways is operating a special flight between Bangkok and Phitsanulok after many provinces in the lower north and upper central regions have been heavily flooded.

The airfare will remain the lowest price until this Sunday.

During the flooding, Nok Air has increased its services from 3 flights to 4 flights each day to accomodate the high demand of passengers. However, these services are still insufficient.

Passengers must reserve tickets many days in advance.

Recently, Thai Airways Region Sales Manager, Kanchit Rientong, said the company has been organizing a special flight from Bangkok to Phitsanulok to serve passengers, with the lowest fare starting at 1,250 baht until this Sunday.

The flight plane is a Boeing 737 with 149 seats.

Meanwhile, Thai Airways has been providing cargo services for free to transport essential supplies, blood, and medical appliances for flood victims.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-20

[webfact]

Bhumibol and Sirikit Dams Reduce Water Drainage

The Bhumibol Dam Director says it's necessary to increase the water discharge from the dam to control the dam's water level.

Boon-in Chuenchavalit, Director of the Bhumibol Dam in Tak's Sam Ngao District, disclosed that the water level in the dam increased by 90 million cubic meters due to heavy rains over the past few days.

For this reason, irrigation officials decided to discharge more water from the dam to balance the dam's water level.

The discharge rate has been raised from 50 million cubic meters to 60 million cubic meters per day.

The Bhumibol Dam Director noted that the Sirikit Dam has reduced the amount of water being released from the dam to 10 million cubic meters per day, after the water inflow to the dam was gradually decreasing.

He added that the amount of precipitation is the major factor to decide whether to readjust dam drainage.

Meanwhile, Director of Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit Province, Tharat Phumakasikorn said the dam has cut its discharge rate four times this month and will maintain the rate at 10 million cubic meters per day until October 21.

The water inflow to the dam is currently 25 million cubic meters a day.

He affirmed that the dam remains strong and can receive 65 million cubic meters more of water.

Officials are monitoring the situation around the clock.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-20

[webfact]

Traffic around gov complexes, Chaeng Wattana, is 6 lanes of barely moving traffic. /via@RichardBarrow

[webfact]

Floods in Thailand: http://ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk/en/news/?view=News&id=668375182

British Nationals should check the Embassy website for regular updates.

[webfact]

Retired British Nationals in Thailand: the British Embassy still wants to hear your views!

http://ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk/en/news/?view=PressR&id=653358582

This survey has been extended as explained.

[webfact]

Bkk governor expects water to reach Rangsit tonight and affect parts of Bkk tomorrow; not increasing any "watch zones" for the moment /TAN_Network

[webfact]

PM: We will not allow Bkk to flood, but will have to use various canals/waterways to channel water into Gulf of Thailand /TAN_Network

[webfact]

PM: We Will Not Allow Bkk to Flood

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has come out to reassure the public after this morning's scare that the government will not allow the capital to flood. She said, however, that officials will need to use Bangkok's canals and waterways to release water from the North and channel it down to the Gulf of Thailand. Residents should see increased water levels in various canals such as Saan Saeb, Prakanong, and Ladprao. Other smaller waterways are also expected to be used.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-20

[webfact]

Owners of cars parked on roads/bridges/expressways/flyovers advised to put contact details in car for police to contact /TAN_Network

[webfact]

Thai PM says floods in parts of Bangkok inevitable

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Govt: Situation of Prapa Canal under control

Justice Minister Pracha Promnok, head of the Flood Relief Operations Centre, declared Thursday that the situation of Prapa Canal has been under control.

Pracha also allayed public fear that the water for making tab water had been contaminated by floodwaters. He said the quality of tab water would not be affected.

Late Wednesday night, floodwaters penetrated a dyed to enter the Prapa Canal, whose water is use for making editable water, causing the water on the Prapa Canal to overflow its banks at certain spots.

Pracha told a press conference that the level of water on the Prapa Canal has been reduced to prevent it from overflowing the embankments.

-- The Nation 2011-10-20

[webfact]

Education Ministry allows staff 10 days off

BANGKOK, 20 October 2011 (NNT) - Flood scare has prompted the Education Ministry to order its officials to clear their offices in preparation for the approaching run-off.

Starting from today, Education Ministry staff will be given 10 days to move all the documents and equipment to the upper floors to protect necessary data from floods. Those living in flood-torn or risky areas have also been allowed to take days off during October 20-30 to take care of their properties.

Education Minister Worawat Ua-apinyakul disclosed that the Ministry would convert into the command center in charge of all the 338 evacuation centers under the Education Ministry’s supervision. The Ministry has also set up the hotline 1579 for those needing help or updates on the flood situation.

-- NNT 2011-10-20

[webfact]

Stuck in mega traffic jam due to cars parked on motorway. Any mass evacuation would have to be by boat! /via@RichardBarrow /via@seacorro

[webfact]

United Nations Ready to Help Thailand Deal with Floods (20/10/2011)

The United Nations is ready to cooperate with Thailand in dealing with the flooding situation and its impact.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said that she had received a telephone call from United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who expressed the United Nations’ readiness to offer a helping hand, although Thailand had not requested.

She said that discussions on this matter would be made at the operational level first, and that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would be asked to serve as the coordinator.

to continue:

[webfact]

Chang Wattana Expressway heavily congested from Prachanukul to New Mor Chit due to 3-deep row of cars parked /TAN_Network