Thailand Live Thursday 20 Oct 2011

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If u have parked yr car at Dhammakaya Temple, pls remove it immediately. Temple is under increasing flood threats. /via@tulsathit

All stations of MRT (subway) still operate /via@MRT_BMCL

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Apple Concerned About Production in Flood-Battered Thailand

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Future Park Rangsit shopping complex is still closed until further noticed #@nnanews /via@tukky_nt:

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Nakhon Sawan flooding recedes

NAKHON SAWAN, Oct 20 - Floodwaters throughout Nakhon Sawan province and its commercial district continued to recede, and traffic returned to normal in some key locations which were earlier submerged in the province's worst flooding in decades.

Wisan Wasuntaraporn, acting director of the Nakhon Sawan Irrigation Project, reported Thursday that the water level in the Chaophraya, Ping and Nan rivers have decreased about three to four centimetres, while floodwaters in economic zone also receded by 20-30 centimetres as all underground water pumping stations are normally fuctioning.

The residents however are now facing sewage problem as the city has been submerged for more than a week, Mr Wisan stated, the Nakhon Sawan Municipality has poured active microorganisms to help clean the polluted water.

Mr Wisan also said that roads surrounding the provincial government complex, earlier impassable, being blocked by torrential floodwaters, also reopened for commuting.

In the province's 11 temporary shelters, the number of evacuees is now at 9,000 as many have returned home, Mr Wisan said.

Nakhon Sawan Governor Chairoj Meedaeng said the province would speed up releasing water into Chaophraya River by at least eight million cubic metres daily and it will take another 20 days to complete the operations.

Nakhon Sawan was earlier hit by severe flooding with up to two metres high of water, especially in the inner city, due to ruptures in the flood prevention wall along the river near Bonkai market, rapidly overflowing into the commercial area. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-10-20

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Flood Creates Short Supply of Goods

The Federation of Thai Industries warn residents to be prepared that goods will be in short supply, while goods currently in stock are expected to last only one to two months.

Deputy Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries Thanit Sorat disclosed after a meeting with the industry minister and SME operators that there is a concern that there will be a shortage of basic necessities because many areas have been flooded, causing widespread impact in production to goods delivery.

The Commerce Ministry is required to handle this situation immediately.

Resolving this matter will require that products be divided into categories to determine possible shortages.

Upstream raw materials will be the primary focus because they have an effect on the whole supply chain.

Even though many factories are not suffering from the floods, the delivery process has been affected because several main roads have been cut off.

Rail traffic has also been disrupted, making goods unable to reach retailers.

For this reason, it is expected that goods will be in short supply while goods in current stocks are likely to last only one or two months.

Thanit said northern and northeastern routes are still submerged under water so airplanes are required to deliver supplies.

Cargo Thai Airline is currently transporting goods for retailer Tesco Lotus and 7-Eleven convenience stores, as large amounts of goods remain in warehouses connected to roads that remained impassable.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-20

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4th warning: Flood Center Warns Residents to Evacuate to Higher Grounds

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Residents of BKK and 4 provinces told to move valuables up high

BANGKOK, 20 October 2011 (NNT) – The Flood Relief Operation Center (FROC) has instructed people in certain parts of Bangkok and four surrounding provinces to move valuable items within their homes up high due to rising floods.

In its fourth announcement, the FROC reported that a substantial amount of floodwater had been moving through Rapeepat Canal towards Bangkok, causing the water levels in the capital and four provinces in its vicinity to rise from today onwards.

An increase of 50 centimeters to one meter is expected in Mueang, Khlong Luang, Nong Suea, Sam Khok and Lat Lum Kaeo districts of Pathum Thani province as well as Mueang, Pak Kret, Bang Yai, Bang Bua Thong, Bang Kruai and Sai Noi districts of Nonthaburi province.

Meanwhile, a rise of between 30 and 50 centimeters could be seen in Mueang, Bang Len, Nakhon Chai Si, Sam Phran, Don Tum, Kamphaeng Saen and Phutthamonthon districts of Nakhon Pathom province as well as Mueang, Ban Phaeo and Krathum Baen districts of Samut Sakhon province.

As for Bangkok, the water level might stabilize at 1-1.2 meters or increase slightly in Khlong Sam Wa, Nong Chok, Min Buri, Khan Na Yao and Lat Krabang districts. However, Sai Mai and Bang Khen districts will likely experience more floodwater and an evacuation plan has been prepared for the two.

People in all aforementioned areas are encouraged to relocate their belongings to higher grounds and continue to follow the FROC’s updates closely.

The FROC also issued its fifth announcement, prohibiting civilians from entering Nava Nakorn Industrial Estate in Pathum Thani during this period, as the flood level had increased to as high as 3 meters. Those earlier evacuated from the site are urged to have confidence in authorities’ ability to protect their left-behind properties.

-- NNT 2011-10-20

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PM Inspects Khlong Prapa Level

The Prime Minister inspects the flood level at Sri Saman Intersection on Tiwanont Road and has ordered closure of water pipelines in the Rangsit area and advised residents to move to higher ground.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, along with the Director of the Flood Relief Operations Center Police General Pracha Phromnok, inspected the flood situation and construction of flood barriers to stop water that gushed into Sri Saman Intersection on Tiwanont Road.

Five backhoes and sandbags were used to build the temporary flood barrier.

The premier also ordered four of six water pipelines in the Rangsit area to slow down the water flow and advised residents along the Khlong Prapa canal in Sri Saman, Pongphet, Prachachuen, Sam Sen and Bueng Makkasan to keep an eye on the canal level and move assets to higher ground.

The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority governor said the rise in the Klong Prapa level is the result of runoffs from Navanakorn Industrial Estate, Thammasat University and Bangkadee Industrial Estate.

The governor has ordered four water pipelines be closed to prevent flooding in the city center of Pathum Thani Province, and water pumps in Sam Sen and Bueng Makkasan be turned on to drain water.

The two pumps are capable of draining water at the rate of 90 cubic meter per second.

The authority also used a backhoe to open a broken sluice gate on Klong Prapa canal in Sam Sen to facilitate water drainage and increased tap water production in order to reduce water in the canal.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-20

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(12:18pm) EXAT will tow the second row of the cars parked on expressway, cause of big congestion. (via @js100radio)

It'll take 40 days for the 12 Bln cu.m. of water, enough 2 cover Connecticut a meter deep, to drain into Gulf /via@Tulip_Oum

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Waters gush evacuation center at Pathumwilai School, Muang District, Pathum Thani; 600 evacuees in need of assistance /via@fm91trafficpro

Bangkok governor inspects Siriraj Hospital flood wall, strengthens dyke; expresses confidence to protect hospital from flooding /MCOT

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BKK traffic: Car owners crowd to park cars on Expressway, causing traffic jam; Chaeng Wattana Rd paralysed as cars park almost entire bridge across Klong Prapa

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Metropolitan Waterworks Authority confirms water level at Klong Prapa under control; produces standard quality tap water /MCOT

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Bangkok residents told not to hoard food supply

BANGKOK, 20 October 2011 (NNT)-Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Mr. Yanyong Puagrat has urged Bangkok residents not to hoard any food supplies as it may cause shortages. He also believed the flood crisis in the capital city would not be severe.

A blue flagged caravan, supported by the Ministry of Commerce and various business owners, will travel to the inundated zones to sell at cheap prices food and household products such as instant noodles, sugar, cooking oil, toothpaste, toothbrushes and other necessities; to flood victims who have been stranded in their homes and living on a dwindling food supply.

The caravan consists of 10 cars transporting goods and selling them to flood victims in 13 locations in Bangkok and its vicinity. They are due to arrive today in the Government Housing community in Minburi, Muangpracha village in Nongjok, Khlongsamwa, the Office of Donmuang district, the Rama 4 parking lot, and Pakred district of Nontaburi Province. The blue flagged caravan will be selling daily supplies cheap until the crisis has subsided while another blue flagged event selling household items and food products is now being held at the Ministry of Commerce until tomorrow.

Mr. Yanyong has also urged residents of Bangkok not to hoard more food supply than they need as there will not be enough to go around for those living in the flood- stricken provinces.

-- NNT 2011-10-20

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Breaking into cars to release hand breaks for towing. Kaset/Ngm'wan bridge http://bit.ly/oVJigW /via@RichardBarrow /via@steviegell

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Expressway Authority Opens Up Space for Flood Victims to Park Their Cars

Expressway Authority of Thailand opens up space for flood affected residents

The Expressway Authority of Thailand has opened up space for flood affected residents to park their cars in locations as follows:

1. Beneath the expressway at Ngamwongwan Toll Gate 200 vehicles

2. Beneath the expressway at Ratchadapisek Toll Gate 100 vehicles

3. Open space behind Phramongkutklao Hospital 200 vehicles

4. Parking lot beneath expressway at Asoke 1 Toll Gate 100 vehicles

5. Beneath Watcharapol Expressway on Ramindra Rd (North) 200 vehicles

6. Beneath Ramindra Expressway from the U-turn 1,000 vehicles

7. Beneath Rama 9-1 Expressway 500 vehicles

8. Beneath Sathupradit Expressway 100 vehicles

9. Beneath the Rama 9 Bridge on the Thonburi side 300 vehicles

Motorists can call the EXAT hotline 1543 for more information.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-20

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BREAKING: AFP: Thai PM To Ask Bangkok To Open All Floodgates

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Floods forces closure of Future Park, Big C & Home Pro

PATHUM THANI, 20 October 2011 (NNT) – Superstores in Pathum Thani have been forced to shut their doors due to the flood invasion.

Future Park Rangsit has announced an indefinite closure as the area around the store has been paralyzed by floods. Future Park has allowed free parking for people who left their vehicles in its parking area until October 31.

Big C and and Home Pro at Thanyaburi District have also been closed for the same reason.

-- NNT 2011-10-20

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Flood-escaping vehicles on highways must be moved

BANGKOK, 20 October 2011 (NNT)- Deputy Police Commander of the Metropolitan Police has urged people to get their vehicles out of viaducts and expressways, adding that tow trucks will be brought in to move vehicles which block the traffic.

Deputy Commander of the Metropolitan Police in charge of traffic ,Major General Panu Kerdlappol, yesterday annouced that the people who parked their cars on viaducts, expressways, and intersection crossover bridges must immediately move them out, given those vehicles might cause danger and traffic congestion. Panu added that people should be more concerned with the benefits of the public as a whole than with their own.

He also advised those people to park their vehicles on Kanchanaphisek Road or at their relatives' houses located outside the seven flood-risk areas announced by Metropolitan Bangkok Administration; or in other provinces declared safe from the flooding. Tow trucks have been ordered into the areas to tow away any vehicles obstructing traffic flows.

The Deputy Commander has asserted that no roads in Bangkok are under heavy flood at present, reeaffirming that police will facilitate the traffic in Bangkok to enable the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to move people out of the flooded areas as soon as possible in case of emergency.

-- NNT 2011-10-20

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TRTV Reports: Volunteers at Don Mueang DO NOT need a work permit, according to Work Permit Office Bangkok 02 5043186 /viaThaiResponseTV

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Flood-escaping vehicles on highways must be moved

BANGKOK, 20 October 2011 (NNT)- Deputy Police Commander of the Metropolitan Police has urged people to get their vehicles out of viaducts and expressways, adding that tow trucks will be brought in to move vehicles which block the traffic.

Deputy Commander of the Metropolitan Police in charge of traffic ,Major General Panu Kerdlappol, yesterday annouced that the people who parked their cars on viaducts, expressways, and intersection crossover bridges must immediately move them out, given those vehicles might cause danger and traffic congestion. Panu added that people should be more concerned with the benefits of the public as a whole than with their own.

He also advised those people to park their vehicles on Kanchanaphisek Road or at their relatives' houses located outside the seven flood-risk areas announced by Metropolitan Bangkok Administration; or in other provinces declared safe from the flooding. Tow trucks have been ordered into the areas to tow away any vehicles obstructing traffic flows.

The Deputy Commander has asserted that no roads in Bangkok are under heavy flood at present, reeaffirming that police will facilitate the traffic in Bangkok to enable the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to move people out of the flooded areas as soon as possible in case of emergency.

-- NNT 2011-10-20

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Flood waters to affect Bangkok's north tomorrow

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PM orders floodgates in Bkk to be opened; 4 major canals will be used to drain water from the North; water levels will not swell over banks /TAN_Network

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Thai flood damage likely to cost over Bt100-200 bln, to shrink GDP by 2%, negative Q4 growth projected: World Bank /MCOT

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Dream World amusement park on Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok Rd will be closed Oct 21-31 due to flooding /via@Biz_TheNation

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AFP: Thai flooding delays Sony camera launch

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[george]

Is central Bangkok flooded? Check here:

http://iscentralbangkokflooded.com/

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Bangkok as UN regional hub

The Nation

The United Nations agencies and entities based in Thailand will mark 62 years of the world body's presence in the Thai capital on October 24 with the launch of Bangkok as the "UN Hub in Asia and the Pacific".

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Prime Minister

Yingluck Shinawatra and Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra

will join Dr. Noeleen Heyzer, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and

Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission

for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) for the annual observance of the United

Nations birthday in Bangkok on 24 October.

The official ceremony to include flag-raising, delivery of addresses and UN inter-agency exhibition and the Chinese/Thai art and calligraphy.

-- The Nation 2011-10-20

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PM seeks to release water into sea through parts of Bangkok

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193 bank branches closed

The Nation

As floods reach the capital city, the number of bank branches closed as of today rise to 193, according to Bank of Thailand.

Yesterday, 161 branches were closed.

As of 1pm today, of total branches closed, 80 are located in Pathum Thani (from total 171). The situation in Ayutthaya remains serious as ever, with a number of 55 branches closed today. In Nonthaburi, 28 bank branches are closed, Nakhon Sawan 23, Chai Nat 2, 1 in Lop Buri.

Four brank branches in Bangkok are closed.

-- The Nation 2011-10-20

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PAD Leader Sondhi Raps PM Yingluck over Flood Crisis

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Sirikit Dam lower amount of water released by 10 million cubic meters

UTTARADIT, 20 October 2011 (NNT)-The Public Department in Uttaradit province has been informed that the water being released from the Sirikit dam has been lowered to reduce the impact of floods in Thailand’s central region.

According to the report, there is currently 9.45 million cubic meters of water in the dam which accounts for 99.46% of its capacity. The decision to lower the level of the release is not only to help contain the flooding crisis in the central provinces, but also due to the fact that the amount of water going into the dam is now less than before; at 30 million cubic meter per day.

It is the 4th time the Department of Royal Irrigation has been requested by the Sirikit dam to reduce the water level, down to ten million cubic meters from twenty cubic meters the Department previously planned to release each day until October 21. The amount of water released will be readjusted in line with the inflow into the Sirikit dam. For more information please contact 055-441840.

-- NNT 2011-10-20