Thailand Live Friday 21 Oct 2011

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Bangkok governor: Authorities open all sluice gates to drain floodwater

BANGKOK, Oct 21 - Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra on Friday said City Hall has opened all sluice gates to drain water through the capital as soon as it can in preparation for additional flows of approaching northern run-off.

The governor expressed concern, however, over the rising waters of Klong Prapa, posing a flood threat to Lak Si and Don Mueang districts, the two additional flood-prone areas declared for warning residents to brace for possible flooding, following the early announcement of seven districts.

The seven districts, announced earlier as vulnerable areas, are Sai Mai, Klongsamwa, Bang Khen, Nong Chok, Min Buri, Lat Krabang, Kannayao.

If Klong Prapa rises and overflows, it could impact Klong Prem Prachakorn. If the water level in Klong Prem Prachakorn reaches 1.30-1.50 metres, it could pose flood treat to Vibavadi Rangsit Road, a link to Bangkok’s inner areas, he added. The water level in Klong Prem Prachakorn rose to one metre Friday morning from its normal level of 0.50 metres.

Moreover, The capital must also brace for the possibility that floodwater from Nakhon Pathom’s Klong Mahasawat will flow to western Bangkok in addition to the flood threat from northern run-off.

Meanwhile, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) indefinitely postponed reopening 102 schools it administers in the seven vulnerable districts. Class make-up will be scheduled later. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-10-21

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Floods reach some areas of northern Bangkok

BANGKOK, October 21, 2011 (AFP) - Thailand's worst floods in decades have inundated some residential areas in north Bangkok, officials said Friday, after authorities opened sluice gates in a risky bid to drain water through canals.

Up to about half a metre (20 inches) of water submerged two housing estates in Lak Si district, about 15 kilometres (nine miles) from the city centre, the district's chief engineer Pramin Kosumphan told AFP.

"There are more than 1,000 households in each housing estate," he said. "The water overflowed from the Prapa canal but it's stable now and residents were warned in advance."

Bangkok residents were advised to move their possessions to higher floors or safe areas as the capital braced for the arrival of the floods from the central plains, which are several metres under water in places.

Three months of heavy monsoon rains have killed at least 342 people in Thailand and damaged the homes and livelihoods of millions of others, mostly in the north and centre.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-10-21

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Parking Available at All Gov't Agencies, Schools

The Flood Relief Operations Command orders all government agencies and schools to make space available for flood victims to park their cars without any charge. The move comes at a time when the government is deterring car owners from parking their cars on expressways and overpasses as they frantically try to move their cars to higher ground.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-21

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40,000 Army troops helping flood victims

Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said Friday that some 40,000 troops have been deployed to help flood victims.

Prayuth said the number of troops was inadequate to help flood victims in all areas so he would like to call on people in severely-hit areas to evacuate.

Prayuth said he was seeking permission from the Defence Ministry to deploy 2,000 more troops from the Second Army Area and 1,000 more from the Infantry Command Center to help alleviate flood situation.

-- The Nation 2011-10-21

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Flood Relief Center Will Be Set For Nonthaburi Local Residents

The Flood Relief Operation Center spokesperson, the Royal Thai police, and three army branches will organize a flood-relief center for Bang Bua Tong residents in Nonthaburi Province under the prime minister's order.

Flood Relief Operation Center spokesperson, Wim Rungwattanajinda, along with representatives from Royal Thai Army, the Navy Army, and the Air Force announced that the Bang Bua Thong District in Nonthaburi Province became one of the most flood-stricken areas in the country.

The flood relief center will be set up to rescue the flood victims in nearby areas.

Officials urged local residents to prepare evacuation.

50 army boats will be dispatched to pick up the locals by tonight. Meanwhile, the local residents were asked to keep monitoring the situation closely.

The officers also asked the volunteers to provide boats to the army.

The locals can call the hotline number 1131 for help.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-21

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TU, Rangsit, confirms no flooding in campus and water situation will be better after 2 days

BANGKOK, 21 October 2011 (NNT) – Thammasat University's Rangsit Campus is still safe from flood and the situation outside the campus is expected to improve in the next two days.

The water level behind the university is about 4 metres high and 50 cm lower than the floodwall.

Associate Professor Dr.Kamphon Rujiwit, TU's Vice Rector for General Administration (Rangsit Center), revealed that the rumour of ravaging flood water at Thammasat University is untrue. At present, the university can take the situation under control, believing that after two days, the flood incident will be better. The university is currently accessible only via the entrance gate on Paholyothin Road.

Also, Mrs Sukumol Kunplome, Minister of Culture, made a visit to Thammasat to encourage the evacuees and hand over donation items at the flood relief center. Moreover, PTT Public Co. Ltd. is providing assistance in the forms of energy, electricity generators, wastewater tanks and kitchen providing 5,000 boxes of food per day for the flood victims.

-- NNT 2011-10-21

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Lat Krabang Industrial Estate to be protected from the northern flow

BANGKOK, 21 October 2011 (NNT)-Industry Minister MD Wannarat Charnukul has inspected flood walls surrounding the Lay Krabang Industrial Estate as flooding in the area is imminent.

According to the Industry Minister, the earthen dykes have been reinforced to protect places within the industrial site such as the water treatment plant, the draining station and the bird park from flooding. In addition to the barriers, large concrete tubes have also been placed behind the dykes to add another layer of protection.

The barriers are now 3.5 meters tall and the reinforcement on the walls will be completed in a few days time before the arrival of the northern flow in the next 4-5 days. He assured that the Lat Krabang Industrial Estate would be protected.

As for the upcoming BOI Fair at Impact Arena, the Industry Minister said a barrier of 1.2 meters tall had been constructed to prevent the overflow; however, he added if the torrent arrived at a fast speed, the wall might not be able to withstand such force.

-- NNT 2011-10-21

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Space for 10K cars made available,today-28/10 at Challenger Hall 1-3, 2FL, Muang Thong Thani. Bring ID/car registration /TAN_Network

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British Honorary Consul In Pattaya Resigns

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AFP: Thai flooding crisis scares off tourists

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1st Region Army Chief: Flood barrier 90% complete along HOK WA Canal, the rest expected to be complete within 1 day. /TAN_Network

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BOI Fair adjourned due to flood, PM asked to set new date

BANGKOK, 21 October 2011 (NNT) – The Board of Investment (BOI) has requested Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to schedule a new date for the annual BOI Fair, which needs to be postponed because of the current flood crisis.

After a meeting with the committee responsible for the arrangement of the BOI Fair 2011, BOI Secretary-General Atchaka Sribunruang stated that since the flood problem had prompted a need to reschedule the fair, the committee resolved to seek Prime Minister Yingluck’s decision as to when the event would be held. However, the Secretary-General insisted that it should not be later than January next year as huge losses would be incurred.

So far, the setting up of 84 display pavilions within the BOI Fair has progressed by 80 percent while the value of investment has reached 1.5-1.7 billion THB.

Moreover, since the new date has not been set, it becomes difficult to reserve the current venue, which is IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, for the fair as the exhibition center is usually fully booked all year round. At the same time, a change of venue cannot be made, considering the level of preparedness at present.

Ms Atchaka also revealed that a number of participating investors, such as Honda and Cannon, had turned their attention to the rehabilitation of their factories, which had been devastated by floods.

-- NNT 2011-10-21

PM approves postponing BOI 2011 Fair from Nov 10-25 to Jan 5-20 next year due to nationwide flooding /MCOT

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Irrigation department pleads for cooperation

The Nation

The Irrigation Department on Friday urged the public to cooperate with its ongoing attempt to release water run-off from the North, saying the move will affect some but is being done to minimise unexpected impacts of the flooding.

The department asked for understanding by the people in allowing the department to do its job and drain the floodwater to the Gulf of Thailand through water gates in Bangkok.

The request came after people in some areas in Bangkok tried to block the draining of the water.

"Lack of understanding of people in some areas have it more difficult for us to drain water from upper part of Bangkok to the Gulf of Thailand," the department said in its statement.

The department said the water volume in Chao Phaya River in Nakhon Sawan has continuously decreased, resulting in reduction of water in the lower part of Chao Phaya Basin.

However the water volumes in Sing Buri, Angthong and Ayutthaya remain the same due to the remaining water volume in the fields. The water is expected to reduce if there is no more rain and the draining of water runs more smoothly.

-- The Nation 2011-10-21

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AFP: Thai floodwaters spill into northern Bangkok

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Army chief calls for voluntary evacuations

The Nation

"We will keep fighting with water and see how we can safely stay with it," Army Commander in Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said today.

Asked to compare fighting between enemies and the water, the general said the hardships seemed similar but the water came with a much wider scope.

He was speaking as the water run-off from the north seeped into the capital. Some areas in Bangkok will also see high water, as the government has ordered the opening of all water gates to allow it to pass Bangkok to the sea in Samut Prakan.

The military has stepped in to help evacuate flood-hit people, building water barriers and transporting relief items to many provinces now under water.

Prayuth said that the military will discuss with the Interior Ministry and Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department to outline an evacuation plan in case of emergency.

The flood water problems have become increasingly more serious and there is now a high risk that a massive volume of water run-off from the north will enter Bangkok. "Therefore we have to review the evacuation plan and make it more practical. We should go into detail such as where the shelters would be," he said.

Some 40,000 troops have been deployed to help flood victims but the number of troops was still inadequate to help flood victims in all areas. Prayuth called on people in severely hit areas to voluntarily evacuate.

Prayuth said he was seeking permission from the Defence Ministry to deploy 2,000 more troops from the Second Army Area and 1,000 more from the Infantry Command Centre to help alleviate flood situation.

-- The Nation 2011-10-21

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German falls to his death from South Pattaya Hotel

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Toyota suspension continues until Oct 28

The Nation

Toyota Motor Thailand today announced that it would further suspend the operations at all three plants as floods still ravage some automotive components suppliers.

The plants in Samut Prakan and Chachoengsao would remain closed until October 28, the company said in a statement. They have been suspended since Oct 12.

The supply chain disruption is expected to reduce automotive output at several automotive companies, chiefly Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mazda.

Toyota, the country’s biggest automaker, has the annual capacity of 650,000 units. In August, it churned out 61,000 units.

To help relieve flood-affected victims, Toyota will launch "Toyota CSR for Flood Relief" project during Oct 22-23 October. Carried out by Toyota CSR network members and Toyota staff, the project will construct 'Mobile Emergency Toilets' for donations to Royal Thai Navy Disaster Relief Centre, as an assistance provision in the affected areas.

-- The Nation 2011-10-21

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Nine Bangkok Districts Warned of Flood Threat

The Bangkok governor has warned residents in nine districts in Bangkok to closely monitor the flood situation, while the Director of Regional Irrigation Office 11 said that the Chulalongkorn floodgate and the effectiveness of all floodwalls is being closely monitored and continually examined.

Today, at 11A.M., Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra was interviewed about the flood situation in many areas and said the water in most canals is still at normal levels, while floodgates have already been opened by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, or BMA, including the Klong Rapeepat Floodgate and the Klong Sond Perd Floodgate, to drain the water.

However, the flood situation in Bang Buathong District, Nakon Pratom Province, and the Mahasawat Canal still needs to be closely monitored.

The Bangkok Governor also warned residents in Don Muang, Bang Kean, Sai Mai, Lard Krabang, Minburi, Nongjok, the Sam Wa Canal, and Kannayow districts, to be extra vigilant for possible flooding in their areas.

Meanwhile, Director of Regional Irrigation Office 11, Chainarin Panpinyaporn disclosed that the flood situation at the Chulalongkorn floodgate is currently being monitored closely, and that floodwalls have been set up to prevent runoffs from Klong 1 canal, the Klong Rapeepat canal, and Nawanakan Industrial Park, which are flowing towards the Chao Phraya River.

Since the volume of water from the Navanakorn Industrial Park is enormous, officials at the Chulalongkorn floodgate are working extremely hard to prevent flooding.

At the same time, excess water from the Rangsit area is now flowing to Sai Mai District, Viphavadee, and Klong Sam Wa canal.

The affected areas are now preparing to drain the water into major rivers, such as the Bang Prakong River.

Meanwhile, there is an industrial-scale pump at the Suvarnabhumi Airport, which is able to drain out 40 million cubic meters of water.

The effectiveness of the dikes and sandbag walls in communities experiencing conflict with neighboring communities will be considered carefully, especially given that there are large amounts of rapidly moving runoffs that will be arriving soon, which could cause the floodwalls to collapse.

Authorities are looking for ways to help residents resolve conflicts in these areas.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-21

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Alternate routes for Bangkok holiday-makers

Alternate routes are advised for holiday-makers heading out of Bangkok to substitute flooded roads, Highways Police commander Norrabun Naenna suggested Friday.

Motoristing heading North may use routes passing Nakhon Pathom, Ang Thong and Suphan Buri, or Route 11 through Prachin Buri. For northeast-bound motorists, they may head to Rangsit and take right turn into Ban Na district in Nakhon Nayok, then to Saraburi, or drive through Chachoengsao to Prachin Buri, then Pak Thong Chai district in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Key roads heading to the East and the South are not flooded. For more details please call 1193, Highways Police’s hotline.

-- The Nation 2011-10-21

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The South is facing shortages of some consumer goods due to high demand by flood-hit provinces

Suvarnabhumi airport opened more parking space for public fleeing floods

Suvarnabhumi airport opened more parking space for public fleeing floods

Economists urged govt to scrap / postpone some populist policies, divert funds for flood relief

/via@Biz_TheNation

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Thai evacuees find refuge after 'fleeing death'

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Toyota Motor (Thailand) extends production halt

BANGKOK, Oct 21 - Thailand's worst flooding in several decades forces Toyota, Japan's biggest automaker, to extend its production halt for another week until Oct 28.

Toyota Motor (Thailand) senior vice president Vudhigorn Suriyachantananont announced on Friday that production at the company's three plants in Samrong, Gateway and Ban Pho will be halted for another week, Oct 24-28, after two consecutive weeks of suspension following the disruption in the supply of auto parts as a result of flooding.

The company had earlier shut down its production lines at its three plants twice since Oct 12.

"The flooding has had no direct impact on the three Toyota plants or their employees, Toyota said in its statement released in Tokyo.

"Currently, recovery efforts are being made on a company-wide basis, based on a close observation of the supply chain situation," Toyota said.

"A decision on production from Oct 31 onwards will be based on a close observation of the situation as it develops," it said. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-10-21

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116 Bangkok schools' new semester delayed to Nov 15

A total of 116 schools in nine Bangkok districts at flood risk will open the next two weeks after the normal schedule for new semester on November 1, Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said Friday.

Extra classes will be provided on the weekend to make up for those missed during the 15day period, he added.

-- The Nation 2011-10-21

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Phuket Policeman Spared Senate Corruption Probe – For Now

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Bkk governor admits northern runoff starts to flood Don Muang via @ThaiPBS/TAN_Network

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PM sets up "water management committee" with dep director general as chair/TAN_Network

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Bkk governor: It's difficult to cope with water this much which is circling Bkk and beginning to flood Don Muang./Via@tulsathit

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EGAT: High voltage substations in risk areas incl Rangsit, Sai Noi, Nong Jok & On Nut (90cm barriers erected)/TAN_Network

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[7.38pm] 4 risk areas-Klong Rangsit, Klong 2/Klong Sam Wa, western BKK, Klong Prapa: BKK governor #thaifloodEng TR @tanatpong_nna/@tucky_nt