Thailand Live Saturday 22 Oct 2011

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Overflow of Prapa Canal still flooding Chaengwattana, Songprapa roads;Don Muang Airport has asked motorists to move cars to higher floors /TAN_Network

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Phuket: Tourist bus overturns on Chalong-Kata hill, one dead, many hurt

Emergency rescue workers and onlookers survey the damage of the

latest tragedy involving a tour bus in Phuket. Photo: Dean Noble

The Phuket tour bus snapped one power pole in half and breached the

heavy-duty guard rail. Photo: Dean Noble

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10.09am-Bhumiphol Hostipal is risk area:speeding up to move 14 critical patients to Chon Buri: Air force military /via@tukky_nt

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Rangsit braces for increased flood water as locals scramble to evacuate; expressway,overpasses see 3 lanes of parked cars /

BMA monitors water level at Don Mueang, Laksi, Bangkhen, Saimai, Ladkrabang, Kannayao, Minburi, Klongsamwa, Nongchok /

/TAN_Network

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Bangyai District Office, Bangyai City housing estate and Bangyai fresh market see flooding; locals prepare to evacuate

Kanchanapisek Rd passing through Bangyai submerged so small vehicles urged to avoid

/TAN_Network

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Check out NASA images of Thai floods. Amazing. http://www.NASA.gov /via@KristieKenney

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PM to meet with FROC officials at 2pm and will have press conference at 6pm /TAN_Network

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Thai floods to last four to six weeks more: govt

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FROC press con: Pracha assures situation under control; no flooding in BKK yet

Air Force: Bhumibol Hospital may be flooded so 14 critically ill patients being moved via C-130 aircraft to Chon Buri

Air Force asks those who left their cars parked at Tupataemee base to move their cars due to rising flood level

/TAN_Network

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Road reopens after Phuket bus crash

Another Phuket bus heading in the opposite direction was scorched

and had a tyre explode when it struck a downed power cable.

Photo: Dean Noble

Phuket emergency workers try to clear the fallen power cables in order

to recover the overturned tour bus. Photo: Dean Noble

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FROC Press Conference Confirms No Flooding in BKK Yet

The Flood Relief Operations Center held a press conference at around 10.30 A.M. this morning to assure the flood situation is still under control and there is no flooding in Bangkok yet.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-22

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Overflow from Hok Wa Canal hits houses outside canal's flood barrier at around 10cm now; volunteers to reinforce sandbag wall

Reports of 50cm flooding at Tungsonghong housing authority's flats in Laksi District; residents prepare to evacuate

/TAN_Network

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Minister Plodprasop:

BKK will see 50cm-1m flooding in all districts for 1 month; Electricity and tap water will still be available

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Overflowing water hits Thammasat University’s Rangsit Campus

PATHUM THANI, Oct 22 – Floodwaters have overflowed into Pathum Thani’s Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus, according to Dr Kampol Ruchiwit, Vice Rector for Administration, Rangsit Centre.

Currently, the water has flooded 1,800 rai (about 711 acres) of land in the university after floodwaters overflowed sewerage drains of the nearby National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) late Friday night, Dr Kampol said.

However, the traffic is not disrupted; small vehicles are still able to pass through the area.

Dr Kampol presumed that the bulk of this inundation was floodwater from the nearby Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) which reversed its flow to the NSTDA.

He admitted that the incident was beyond expectation and assessment, explaining that the neighbouring NSTDA was located on high ground and concerned officials assessed that there would be no water flowing from the NSTDA. Therefore, there were no precautionary embankments.

Meanwhile, university students living in a dorm near the NSTDA were evacuated last night.

The vice rector said that water is still flowing into the university and is out of control, as the originating sewerage drains have not yet been located.

However, officials are building a makeshift embankment between Thammasat University and the NSTDA to prevent more floodwaters from flowing into the university as well as draining some water to the entrance of the university near Phaholyothin Road.

Dr Kampol said that officials are trying to ease the situation in order to not affect some areas of the temporary shelter for flood victims, affirming that a 4.2 metre- embankment at the back of the university was undamaged. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-10-22

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Bangkok governor concerned about 4 flood-prone spots

The Nation

Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra Saturday expressed concern over four flood-prone spots.

He said the four areas are

1) Southern part of the Hok Wa Canal in Sai Mai district. He said the water level on the canal rose by 9 centimetres.

2) The eastern Bangkok, which is still inundated partially. He said the water kept rising there.

3) Mahasawat Canal on the Thon Buri side. Sukhumbhand said the water level of the canal was rising.

4) The Phaholyothin Road near Rangsit Canal. He said the water had run over the land to the National Memorial now.

-- The Nation 2011-10-22

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Challenger Hall at Impact (where emergency parking is offered) is now totally full. /via@IMPACTVenue

[george]

Reports of many Bangkokians leaving for Pattaya and Hua Hin. Heavy traffic jams when approaching Pattaya.

Phitsanulok drains water into Phrompiram, Bangrakum, Bangkratum and Muang to help slow down flood runoff that hits BKK

HM the King bestows 810 necessity bags for flood evacuees at Govt Complex; housing 1,349 evacuees and 112 animals; donations still needed

All that's left of the water at big c - on nut :/ 80b a bottle..ugh http://t.co/6q6NsGKa

Interior Ministry gathers 1,500 defence volunteers from Rayong,Chon Buri, Saraburi to BKK on Oct 23-25 to help out with flood situation

[george]

TPBS: water level in front of Thoopatamee, Lamlukka, is 1 metre high #ThaifloodEng

BBC reports on Thailand floods: Crisis 'to last four to six weeks' : http://bbc.in/nWY7Jv #thaifloodEng

Highways Dept closes off Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok route forcing BKK-bound cars to turn left into Vibhavadee-Rangsit Rd and Don Mueang Tollway

Flood death toll reaches 356

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More rescue teams from other provinces to arrive to Bangkok today

BANGKOK, 22 October 2011 (NNT)-The Interior Ministry has reportedly dispatched a rescue team from the Center for Flood Relief to fix the flooding crisis in some parts of Bangkok.

According to the Permanent Secretary for Inteiror Mr. Pranai Suwannarat, Bangkok and 21 other provinces have been declared a disaster hit area by the order of the Prime Minister on 20 October 2011 to prepare for the emergency situation.

The Ministry of Interior has asked for cooperation from Chon Buri, Rayong and Saraburi provinces to send a rescue team of 500 people each to support the emergency plan in Bangkok. They will report to the authority for their duty today before 18.00 hrs at Thupatemee Staduim.

The teams have been instructed to pack enough for the operation that could last more than 3 days or until 25 October. The Department of Prevention and Mitigation will coordinate with each province in this particular rescue effort.

-- NNT 2011-10-22

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Wat Phai Khiao area in Don Muang under water

BANGKOK, 22 October 2011 (NNT) – Flood water has reportedly penetrated 30 percent of Don Mueang area where the flood level is forecast to rise to at least half a meter.

The floods have spread to Muang Thong Industrial estate. The community behind Wat Phai Khiao which lies on the lowest ground is among the hardest hit after the flood water began to spill Khlong Prapa canal and spread to nearby areas. Eectricity supply to the community area has been discontinued for safety reasons. Rescue officials have been sent to the Wat Phai Khiao community to evacuate people.

So far, the number of people escaping the floods to the Chaeng Watthana evacuation center has exceeded 1,300.

-- NNT 2011-10-22

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Massive flood volume nearing Bangkok

BANGKOK, 22 October 2011 (NNT) - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra announced this morning the government has opted to protect important official buildings and economic zones of Bangkok from northern runoff by allowing the approaching floodwater to pass through the southern part of the city before flowing into the Chao Phraya River.

In her weekly radio address broadcast live nationwide, Ms Yingluck said the expected massive volume of water flowing from various provinces was moving closer to the capital and must be pushed into the sea as fast as possible. The government's planned action would protect important and strategic places in the city like Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports, rail and sky train systems, expressways, water and electricity production facilities, as well as logistics routes to transport necessities to flood-affected people in and out of Bangkok.

The Prime Minister indicated that the incoming water mass would be guided to the southern part of Bangkok, and the procedure would be made gradually in order not to cause too much trouble to people in the zone. Ms Yingluck reassured that the government had drawn up a contingency plan and asked the people to monitor information to be provided by the Flood Relief Operations Center. The FROC has already urged people in flood-risk zones to lift their belongings by 1 meter higher, and, if possible, to cut out the electricity on the first floor of their houses for the safety to lives and property.

-- NNT 2011-10-22

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Electricity authority assures can meet demand even with closure of some plants;flooded homes should shut off electricity, call 1129 for help

Hok Wa Canal barriers sees holes causing some flooding;officials plugging holes,using pump to drain out leaking water back into canal

/TAN_Network

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Chinese government gives amphibious boats to help Thailand´s flood relief operations

BANGKOK, 22 October 2011 (NNT)-Interior Minister Mr. Yongyuth Wichaidit said the Chinese government has provided Thailand with amphibious boats, water pumping machines and solar-energy flash lights while assuring that all the donated items will be urgently sent to flooded zones.

Mr. Yongyuth further elaborated that Thailand owed a great deal to China for their help as the latest lot of relief materials was the 4th delivery that country had made to help Thailand cope with the flood crisis.

According to the Interior Minister, all the donated materials Thailand has received will be distributed to flood victims by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. Meanwhile, Thammasat University, Rangist campus, is reportedly having several difficulties in maintaining the evacuees’ center. Mr Yongyuth said any assistance the university needs will be provided by the government upon request immediately.

-- NNT 2011-10-22

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Rangsit U's Prof Seri: residents along Taweewattana Canal in Talingchan,Thonburi,Buddhamonthon,Salaya brace for 1m floods in 3-4 days /TAN_Network

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Saudi Arabian crown prince dies at New York hospital /CNN

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Expert Warns of 1m Flooding in Thonburi in 3-4 Days

Rangsit University’s Professor Seri Suparathit said an inspection of the Taweewattana Canal finds that flood water from Banglaen, Ladlumkaew and Sainoi has arrived. He expects this to cause at least 1 meter flooding in the Talingchan, Thonburi, Buddhamonthon and Salaya areas in 3-4 days.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-22

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[3.07pm] BKK governor rushed to Siriraj Hospital after reports of water from Chao Phraya leaked into the hospital via@tukky_nt

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Flood water that breached a major waterworks canal has Bangkok worrying abt safety of drinking water

Clongprapa canal or Waterworks Canal was specifically channeled for purification treatment

Flood has claimed 356 deaths, more than 110-thousand displaced

/via@ASEAN_NEWSROOM

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3.19pm- All electricity cut in Thammasat Rangsit campus. /RT @Aim_NT TR @Pat_ThaiPBS RT @tukky_nt:

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World's largest solar-powered boat to arrive in Phuket

Turanor is schedled to moor at Phuket's Ao Po Grand Marina on Sunday morning.

Photo: Turanor PlanetSolar

The boat's array of photovoltaic cells covers 537 square meters.

Photo: Turanor PlanetSolar

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Barrier across from King Mongkut Uni of Tech, North Bkk on Piboonsongkram Rd leaks, flooding sidewalk /TAN_Network

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Phuket medical staff assist Ayutthaya flood victims

A member of the Phuket DMAT checks a young boy for swollen glands.

The second Phuket DMAT team led by Patong Hospital Director Dr Bhumin Silaphan.

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720,128 people reported ill with flood-related diseases

Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri said Saturday that so far 720,128 have been treated with flood-related diseases.

Most of them received treatment from mobile medical units of the Public Health Ministry.

Witthaya said his ministry deployed over 200 mobile units to treat flood victims.

He said most of people suffered from athlete’s foot and 97520 of them suffered from tension. Witthaya said 5,882 of them suffered from depression and 807 became suicidal.

-- The Nation 2011-10-22