Disaster Warning Issued For Bangkok

[webfact]

Disaster warning issued for Bangkok

The Nation

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Friday issued the disaster warning for Bangkok, consolidating power for flood control and drainage.

Yingluck invoked the 2007 Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act to oversee flood control in lieu of declaring the state of emergency.

Under her instruction, the topmost priority for flood control is to speed up the drainage of run-off into the sea via East Bangkok.

The government is to coordinate with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to operate all sluice gates in the capital in order to rein in the water flow.

The armed forces would be in charge of maintaining and defending the royal-initated dykes and levees.

The military would also be responsible for protecting key installations, including the Grand Palace, Siriraj Hospital, the tap water system, Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports.

The Transport Ministry would take charge of ensuring road traffic in the capital.

Relevant agencies would map out plans for evacuation and setting up shelters.

-- The Nation 2011-10-21

[rogerdee123]

This should have been done two weeks ago at least.

But let's see what actually get's done to prepare for this disaster .... besides a press conference.

So far almost everything is a reaction .... haven't seen much significant preparation ... except the sandbag walls ... which only delay the floods.

The delay;s that the sandbags are providing should be used for evacuations and preparations.

[zydeco]

You can see the horses in the distance, disappearing over the hill. And we can now lock the barn door.

[webfact]

Singapore Foreign Minister Orders Singaporeans in Bangkok To Evacuate

All Singaporeans in Bangkok were ordered to evacuate to higher ground or areas that will be safe from the ravaging floods, as Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra declared to open floodgates in Bangkok to drain water out to sea.

The Singaporean foreign minister reported that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or MFA has ordered all Singaporeans in Bangkok to evacuate to areas that will not be affected by the inundation after Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra declared that floodgates in Bangkok will be opened in order to drain the water into the sea, which will cause flooding in eastern Bangkok.

The Singaporean foreign minister has also advised Singaporeans to avoid traveling to Thailand until the situation returns to normal.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-21

[FOODLOVER]

State of Emergency=Disaster Warning

Same Same but different?

Edited October 21, 2011 by FOODLOVER

[webfact]

Floodwalls will not be able to save Bangkok from huge water mass from North, Army Chief Prayuth says

/via@Biz_TheNation

[LTGTR]

Someone has to tell them to move to hjgher ground?

Singapore Foreign Minister Orders Singaporeans in Bangkok To Evacuate

All Singaporeans in Bangkok were ordered to evacuate to higher ground or areas that will be safe from the ravaging floods, as Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra declared to open floodgates in Bangkok to drain water out to sea.

The Singaporean foreign minister reported that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or MFA has ordered all Singaporeans in Bangkok to evacuate to areas that will not be affected by the inundation after Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra declared that floodgates in Bangkok will be opened in order to drain the water into the sea, which will cause flooding in eastern Bangkok.

The Singaporean foreign minister has also advised Singaporeans to avoid traveling to Thailand until the situation returns to normal.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-21

[woodyleonhard]

State of Emergency=Disaster Warning

Same Same but different?

Apparently, in some peoples' estimation, foreign investors are able to draw a distinction.

[rogerdee123]

Floodwalls will not be able to save Bangkok from huge water mass from North, Army Chief Prayuth says

/via@Biz_TheNation

Only the Army is willing to tell the people the truth about this flood.

[Crushdepth]

Great timing.

[DNPBC0]

This should have been done two weeks ago at least.

But let's see what actually get's done to prepare for this disaster .... besides a press conference.

So far almost everything is a reaction .... haven't seen much significant preparation ... except the sandbag walls ... which only delay the floods.

The delay;s that the sandbags are providing should be used for evacuations and preparations.

I agree, especially since there is no special procedure for 'invoking' the Act or declaring a 'disaster'.

A full copy of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act 2007 (English versions) is available here:

http://thailaws.com/...ws/tlaw0397.pdf

It is interesting to see that under the Act all provincial governors (including the BMA Governor) were expected to have prepared disaster plans by the end of 2009. I wonder where these are, or even if they were done. If not, then the governors should be held accountable for some of the chaos. Of course, TIT .

[Crushdepth]

State of Emergency=Disaster Warning

Same Same but different?

Apparently, in some peoples' estimation, foreign investors are able to draw a distinction.

'Disaster warning' is much less alarming.

PS: Don't panic.

[bubba]

Interestingly, even the American Embassy is providing more detailed warning information than PM Yingluck. A friend just forwarded me the following from an email that was sent out to Americans registered in their warning system:

--------

Emergency Message to US Citizens

October 21, 2011

Flooding continues in central Thailand and is becoming more widespread

in the Bangkok Metropolitan area. It is unknown how long these

conditions will persist. Water levels are dropping in most other parts

of Thailand that have been flooded. As a purely precautionary measure,

U.S. citizens assigned to the Embassy who live approximately 12

kilometers north of central Bangkok in Pakred District, Nonthaburi

Province have the option of relocating for a few days to central

Bangkok, should they wish to do so. Extensive flooding in Thailand,

especially in Central Thailand between Bangkok and Sukhotai, has caused

considerable damage and loss of life. In many flooded areas, surface

transportation has either been suspended or diverted around those areas.

Portions of highways are closed and bus and train services linking

Bangkok with points to the north are suspended and some routes to the

northeast have been diverted.

Since the situation is changing rapidly, we recommend that you monitor

local media sources. We are posting general information, guidance about

the flood situation, and resources for U.S. citizens on our website at:

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/flood_information.html and on the Embassy

Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/usembassybkk?sk=app_139229522811253. Updated

notifications with information for U.S. citizens are available via

Twitter at @ACSBKK <http://twitter.com/> .

If you live within the Bangkok Metropolitan area and are affected by the

flooding and need urgent assistance, contact the Bangkok Metropolitan

Administration's flood hotline at 1555. If you live elsewhere, contact

the Thai Government's English-speaking Tourist Police, who can be

reached nationwide by dialing 1155. For general information you can

contact the Government Call Center at 1111 ext. 5. For Thai speakers,

there are hotlines for trains: 1690; buses: 1490; highway: 1586,

1784; and 1146 for local roads; highway police: 1193, and emergencies:

191. You can see the Thai Meteorological Department's weather forecasts

and warnings at its website, www.tmd.go.th/en/. On Twitter, unverified

flood information provided by members of general public is tracked with

#ThaiFloodEng.

---------------------

Note the Twitter hash tag they have provided. That will likely provide better and more accurate current information that the Thai Government.

[R123]

"All Singaporeans in Bangkok were ordered to evacuate to higher ground or areas that will be safe from the ravaging floods"

so folks the 64 million baht question is:

what areas will be safe from the ravaging floods?????????

[verywierd]

State of Emergency=Disaster Warning

Same Same but different?

For the countries in this region, the understanding often (not always) is :

Emergency = Communist uprising, terrorist attack, racial/other riots, attempted revolution.

Disaster = Floods, tsunami, drought, earthquake, volcanoes, plague, etc.

[Samuian]

.... : Last one switches off the lights!

And well yes, the pm wants the army to take care of the palace, the water supply, donmuang and so on, whilst Prayut moves forward and says, that the flood walls won't be able to prevent the city from flooding, who's pullin', who's leg here?

Edited October 21, 2011 by Samuian

[rubl]

State of Emergency=Disaster Warning

Same Same but different?

Apparently, in some peoples' estimation, foreign investors are able to draw a distinction.

'Disaster warning' is much less alarming.

PS: Don't panic.

You beat me to it. May I just add which seems very appropriate for the situation

[Buchholz]

Great timing.

whatever happened to....

Posted 2011-10-16 21:40:25

The worst apparently over: Agriculture Minister

BANGKOK: -- Agriculture Minister Theera Wongsamut assured Bangkok residents living along the Chao Phraya River that the worst is over

Edited October 21, 2011 by Buchholz

[aneliane]

Ermmm this is super vague ...

Which area is to be flooded ?

For how long ?

How high ?

[rubl]

Great timing.

whatever happened to....

Posted 2011-10-16 21:40:25

The worst apparently over: Agriculture Minister

BANGKOK: -- Agriculture Minister Theera Wongsamut assured Bangkok residents living along the Chao Phraya River that the worst is over

That's terribly unfair, my dear chap. That statement is from FIVE days ago!

Anyone should know that statements issued by a politician have a expiration time of about a day at the most and with Ministers it's less than 6 hours

[inquisitive]

State of Emergency=Disaster Warning

Same Same but different?

You are right, of course, but the political difference is huge. After all, how could red shirts make such a BIG deal out of invoking a state of emergency by the previous government if they themselves cal one when the going gets tough?

[zydeco]

Great timing.

whatever happened to....

Posted 2011-10-16 21:40:25

The worst apparently over: Agriculture Minister

BANGKOK: -- Agriculture Minister Theera Wongsamut assured Bangkok residents living along the Chao Phraya River that the worst is over

Was that just 5 days past? It feels like a lifetime ago.

[Buchholz]

That's a great picture of Yingluck - she looks attractive sitting between the two grumpy fellas...

What's all this about floods?

Science Minister Plodprasop on the left looks defeated, almost as if his ships' propellers to control the river has failed.

He had sounded so confident earlier.

.

Edited October 21, 2011 by Buchholz

[bangkockney]

High tide expected 27/28 October. If the current problem remains then, the water will be with us for considerable time.

[NanLaew]

Note that the only advice is to move everything higher. Not specific areas nor specific heights. There is no time frame stated when to complete this. There is no reference (as far as I am aware) as to when these floodgates have actually been opened.

The whole situation is very much suck it and see as for years successive governments and city management have managed to dodge the bullet. There is no historical data on what will flood and by how much and where the least chance of flooding will be. Any clown can use google earth and find the lowest spots and say, 'That will flood.'

I would like to think that Thai resilience, fortitude and a whole lot of luck will minimize the immediate dangers and people will get by. However, the highest spring tides (new moon) come before the end of next week and my armchair analysis indicates that whatever they do to keep head above water this weekend will be totally submerged next weekend as there's no way in hell that the deluge is going to drain into the Gulf of Thailand. The full moon high tide last Thursday 13th was 3.45m. The new moon tide on the morning of Saturday 29th will be 4.0m.

[SunDaRi]

My opinion is that They are trying to get BMA to obey her orders - to flood Bangkok and Suphan Buri to share the burden and slow down the process. So far these district are not with her and they are protecting the city.

The only source of information I trust comes from Bangkok Governor not FROC.

Typical Singaporeans listen to their embassy if they had not evacuate by now, they will be quick to move as soon they hear advise from Foreign Minister - within an hour, I'm at the Bus terminal to get out. I was planning for tomorrow.

[animatic]

State of Emergency=Disaster Warning

Same Same but different?

Apparently, in some peoples' estimation, foreign investors are able to draw a distinction.

Funny that.

I always thought an 'Emergency' is something you handle, a reason to start preventive action. And if you can't contain said 'Emergency' it can become a 'Disaster'.

Emergency

noun, plural -cies, adjective 

1. a sudden, urgent, usually unexpected occurrence or occasion requiring immediate action.

2. a state, especially of need for help or relief, created by some unexpected event: a weather emergency; a financial emergency.

Disaster

noun

1. a calamitous event, especially one occurring suddenly and causing great loss of life, damage, or hardship, as a flood, airplane crash, or business failure.

Definitely got a 'Cart Before The Horse' here....

Edited October 21, 2011 by animatic

[Braveheart24]

You can see the horses in the distance, disappearing over the hill. And we can now lock the barn door.

Last person please switch out the lights

[RichardinBKK]

Interestingly, even the American Embassy is providing more detailed warning information than PM Yingluck. A friend just forwarded me the following from an email that was sent out to Americans registered in their warning system:

--------

Emergency Message to US Citizens

October 21, 2011

Flooding continues in central Thailand and is becoming more widespread

in the Bangkok Metropolitan area. It is unknown how long these

conditions will persist. Water levels are dropping in most other parts

of Thailand that have been flooded. As a purely precautionary measure,

U.S. citizens assigned to the Embassy who live approximately 12

kilometers north of central Bangkok in Pakred District, Nonthaburi

Province have the option of relocating for a few days to central

Bangkok, should they wish to do so. Extensive flooding in Thailand,

especially in Central Thailand between Bangkok and Sukhotai, has caused

considerable damage and loss of life. In many flooded areas, surface

transportation has either been suspended or diverted around those areas.

Portions of highways are closed and bus and train services linking

Bangkok with points to the north are suspended and some routes to the

northeast have been diverted.

Since the situation is changing rapidly, we recommend that you monitor

local media sources. We are posting general information, guidance about

the flood situation, and resources for U.S. citizens on our website at:

http://bangkok.usemb...nformation.html and on the Embassy

Facebook page:

http://www.facebook....39229522811253. Updated

notifications with information for U.S. citizens are available via

Twitter at @ACSBKK <http://twitter.com/> .

If you live within the Bangkok Metropolitan area and are affected by the

flooding and need urgent assistance, contact the Bangkok Metropolitan

Administration's flood hotline at 1555. If you live elsewhere, contact

the Thai Government's English-speaking Tourist Police, who can be

reached nationwide by dialing 1155. For general information you can

contact the Government Call Center at 1111 ext. 5. For Thai speakers,

there are hotlines for trains: 1690; buses: 1490; highway: 1586,

1784; and 1146 for local roads; highway police: 1193, and emergencies:

191. You can see the Thai Meteorological Department's weather forecasts

and warnings at its website, www.tmd.go.th/en/. On Twitter, unverified

flood information provided by members of general public is tracked with

#ThaiFloodEng.

---------------------

Note the Twitter hash tag they have provided. That will likely provide better and more accurate current information that the Thai Government.

Wow! Thank you so much for sharing this! Thai Visa should simply re-post your idea to use this site every 10 minutes. Thank you very, very much!

[alexth]

This should have been done two weeks ago at least.

But let's see what actually get's done to prepare for this disaster .... besides a press conference.

So far almost everything is a reaction .... haven't seen much significant preparation ... except the sandbag walls ... which only delay the floods.

The delay;s that the sandbags are providing should be used for evacuations and preparations.

I agree, especially since there is no special procedure for 'invoking' the Act or declaring a 'disaster'.

A full copy of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act 2007 (English versions) is available here:

http://thailaws.com/...ws/tlaw0397.pdf

It is interesting to see that under the Act all provincial governors (including the BMA Governor) were expected to have prepared disaster plans by the end of 2009. I wonder where these are, or even if they were done. If not, then the governors should be held accountable for some of the chaos. Of course, TIT .

Yeah, right, like that's ever going to happen. That's why they're governors in the first place, just to avoid responsability