Thailand Live Sunday 23 Oct 2011

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RT @tukky_nt: Chao Phraya express boat has suspended all of their services from Oct 24 - Nov 7/Via@Tulip_Oum

Call center for pet evacuating; 3381 and 3385, please prepare cages and foods (via @SoraidaSalwala )/Via@Porpich

12.55 About 1-2 metre flooded in Rangsit. More than 4,000 people need boats for evacuating (via @ktnews )/Via@Porpich

Water is now flowing to Bang Kruay (via @NationChannel24 )/Via@Porpich

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13.07 Vibhavadi Rd. in front of Don Muang airport both lanes are flooded 10-15 cm. (via @fm91trafficpro )/Via@Porpich

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13.20 Water from Thai Narong market is about to overflow Saphan Mai, already 10 cm. in an hour (via @Rawangpai)/Via@Porpich

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4 Crocodiles escaped from Nonthaburi's BangbuaThong, one captured. yfrog.com/nvljfzzj (via @Boonlert_TV @wannasiri_ )Via@Tulip_Oum

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ABAC Poll: 83.6% BKK residents very worried about political conflict news during flooding, 67.2% spending more stockpiling food, necessities/MCOT

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Electricty bill due date extension for flood affected victims

BANGKOK, 23 October 2011 (NNT)-The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) has decided to extend the deadline for electricity bills for flood victims.

PEA Director of Communication Ms. Arunsri Jongjiamjit said residents and small business owners who had been affected by severe flooding would be able to apply for the 3-month extension at the PEA.

However, medium and large businesses can ask for the same extension without any interest rate incurred on their bills. For more information call PEA at 1129.

-- NNT 2011-10-23

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Science and Technology Minister proposes CCTVs as water situation inspecting tools as BKK to be hit by flood

BANGKOK, 23 October 2011 (NNT) – Minister of Science and Technology proposed the plan to use closed circuit televisions (CCTVs) set up around Bangkok as water situation inspecting tools, believing that Bangkok would be flooded, but the water level would not be very high.

Mr Poldprasop Suraswadi, Minister of Science and Technology, said that he would propose the idea of adapting the CCTVs generally used for traffic monitoring purpose to be used for inspecting water circumstances each day. Moreover, he urged the Flood Relief Operations Center (FROC) to disclose the truths to the public , instead of concealing from them, so that they could get prepared to deal with the situation promptly and correctly. As for the worst case scenario of the flooding in Bangkok, it would last more than 45 days, as the city was considered a vulnerable area, situated on low land and influenced by high tide.

The people are asked to prepare for the high tide at the end of this month. After the high tide has gone, Bangkok will be safe. Nevertheless, Bangkok will be absolutely inundated but the water level will not be high.

-- NNT 2011-10-23

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1.45 Mahidol Salaya area is now warned for the flood (via @Kitti3Miti )/Via@Porpich

2.00 Water in Ladprao canal in front of Ladprao temple about 30 cm. lower than the bank lockerz.com/s/149562995 (via @Rawangpai )/Via@Porpich

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Public Health orders Bkk hospitals at risk of flooding to transfer patients to hospitals in major provinces /TAN_Network

Public Health Min: patients to be moved to major hospitals in Khon Kaen, Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi, Petchburi, Rayong, Nakhon Ratchasima./TAN_Network

2.36 Four crocodiles are already caught in Bang Bua Thong but there're still more, be careful (via @thaiflood )/Via@Porpich

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Thai Bankers Assoc: Over 2,500 ATMs now out of order/close, 227 bank branches shut down due to floods./TAN_Network

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PM orders Royal Irrigation Dept's Deputy Director Gen Chatchawan to control Pra-in Racha sluice gate management at Klong 1 in Pathum Thani/MCOT

DPA reported that at least seven districts of Bangkok were partially submerged up to 30 centimeters or more early Sunday./Via@ASEAN_NEWSROOM

DPA: Yingluck said the water level in parts of Bangkok will rise up to 1 metre./Via@ASEAN_NEWSROOM

AP : Thai authorities: the worst of the flooding will be over by the first week of Nov.,but warning ppl to stay prepared./Via@ASEAN_NEWSROOM

Anyone needing help to catch the flooding crocs? Hotline for Crocs call Croc hunter > 081-607-6332/Via@CandyJoana

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3.00 Water overflows Suan Kaew temple at 2PM and now it's already 50 cm. (via @SpringNews_TV/Via@Porpich

Govt should be responsible for those who died frm electrocution during flood crisis :Dep spokesperson of Democrat TR @nnanews/Via@ASEAN_NEWSROOM

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Phuket election canvasser dies in high-speed collision

Winesses reported the motorbike was travelling down the road next to Phuket Airport at high-speed. Photo: Wuchai Witthaya

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/507282-phuket-election-canvasser-dies-in-high-speed-collision/page__view__findpost__p__4787490

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Somchai1 villa in front of Tang Hua Seng, Sirindhorn Rd., is already flooded by 20 cm. (via @fm91trafficpro & @I_poom /Via@Porpich

3.27 Water from Rangsit on Paholyothin Rd. now comes in front of Bcare Medical Center (via @fm91trafficpro )/Via@Porpich

3.28 Water on Kampaengpetch 6 Rd. - Seegun - Don Muang - Bangkok route but cars can still pass (via @fm91trafficpro )/Via@Porpich

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East Water helps divert water

The Nation

Eastern Water Resources Development and Management Plc, a private water provider for industrial zones in the East, has joined the government's water diversion efforts.

-- The Nation 2011-10-23

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Ex Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler helping out during the floods.

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Over 1 meter high of flood at Suan Kaew Temple, Nonthaburi. (3.50pm) TR @policespokesman/Via@Aim_NT

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Residents around Mahidol Univ Warned of Flooding

UPDATE : 23 October 2011

Residents living around Mahidol University's Salaya Campus and in Salaya Subdistrict, Buddhamonthon District in Nakhon Pathom Province have been warned to move their belongings to higher ground by the Flood Relief Operation Center.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-23

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3.42 Weter at the Rangsit hospital next to Zeer Rangsit is about waist (via @fm91trafficpro )/Via@Porpich

water almost reaches knee-level in Paholyothin 64 http://t.co/f6RZNwys TR /@tonravee

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28 Provinces Remain Under Flood Water, 356 Dead

UPDATE : 23 October 2011

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation says a total of 28 provinces remain under flood water while more nearly 360 people have died from the floods.

The latest round of deluge is one of the worse in the past decade. It has killed 356 people in Thailand so far and affected nearly 2.5 million people nationwide.

The director of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Vibhool Sanguanpong says in 28 flood-hit provinces and 819,000 households have been affected by the flooding.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-23

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Buddhamonthon district chief ready for evacuation if order is given; Bhumibol Hospital speeds up transfer of patients in case flooding hits/TAN_Network

Estimated flood cost to Thai economy Bt400 bln, another Bt 120 bln per month if BKK’s business areas are flooded: Thai Chamber of Commerce/MCOT

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Toll-free expressways opened until 31 Oct for flood relief operations

BANGKOK, 23 October 2011 (NNT) – The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) has opened toll-free expressways from now until 31 October to reduce the public hardship, yet parking vehicles on any expressway is not allowed.

In response to the flood disaster in Bangkok, its vicinity and other areas in Thailand, EXAT decided to cancel expressway tolls for Chalong Rat Expressway, Burapha Withi Expressway and Kanchanaphisek Expressway (Bang Phli - Suksawat) from now until 24.00 hrs. on 31 October 2011. The toll exemption aims at facilitating motorists with more convenient traffic during the floods.

As the current flooding situation is still severe and transportation is disrupted, every expressway is reserved primarily to be used for transporting forces, materials and equipment to assist flood victims, as the last key traffic route to deliver assistance to the flood-hit people.

However, vehicles are not allowed to be parked on any expressways in order to avoid possible harms to personal properties as well as high risk of accident. Any car parked on the expressways will be detected by the CCTVs and will be moved away consequently. For those who are unable to find available parking lots, contact the flood relief operaion center of the EXAT for further information about free parking lots for flood victims at 1543 around-the-clock .

-- NNT 2011-10-23

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Public Bus Routes Adjusted to Avoid Flooded Areas

UPDATE : 23 October 2011

The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority has adjusted its public bus routes to avoid flooded areas from today onwards as follows.

Bus no. 18: Bangplu Intersection-Victory Monument

Bus no. 29: Don Mueang-Hualumphong

Bus no. 34, 39, 522: Phaholyodhin Rd KM25-Victory Monument

Bus no 49: Morchit 2-Hualumphong

Bus no 503: Phaholyodhin Rd KM25-Sanam Luang

Bus no 59: Don Mueang-Sanam Luang

Bus no 63: Or Tor Gor 3 Market-Victory Monument (not passing through Nonthaburi pier)

Bus no 95k: Don Mueang-Bangkapi

Bus no 114: Or Tor Gor 3 Market-Soi Annex Intersection

Bus no 117: BMA 2-Bangpho Intersection

Bus no 134: Bangplu-Morchit 2

Bus no 185: Phaholyodhin Rd KM25-Klongtoey

Bus no 516: Phra Pinklao 3 housing estate-Thevet

Bus no 517: Carry Boy Company-Morchit 2

Bus no 520: Phaholyodhin Rd KM25-Bangkapi

Bus no 543: Bangkhen-Lumlukka

Bus no 555: Don Mueang-Suvarnabhumi Airport

Call 184 or 02-246-0960 for more details.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-23

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Samut Prakan's Bangplee,Bangbor,Bangsaothong,Muang dredge canals to speed up drainage with budget of Bt200 mln;300,000 sandbags/TAN_Network

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Thai monk joins battle to shield Bangkok from sweeping floods

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FROC: BOI and Commerce Min vow to help businesses in Thailand. FTI says Japan will provide help with machinery to restart production./TAN_Network

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Routes to North and Northeast to Avoid Flooded Roads

UPDATE : 23 October 2011

The Highways Department has announced alternative routes for those headed to the North and Northeast following flooding on many key routes.

Those headed for Saraburi can use the Kanchanapisek Outer Ring Road and exit at Thanyaburi District to use Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok Road headed towards Banna Subdistrict’s Hin Kong Intersection to reach Saraburi. From there they can head to the Northeast as normal to Lop Buri, Petchabun and Phitsanulok.

Motorists can also use the route through Koksamrong, Takfa and Taklee districts to enter Asia Highway and head for Nakhon Sawan and the Lower North but they must take note that the Dechatiwong Bridge is available for only 1 lane of traffic. From those districts, motorists can also use Asia Highway to head back down to Singh Buri and Angthong.

For those headed North, there are 2 routes available. The first one is Petchakasem or Boromratchachonnanee heading for Nakhon Pathom’s Kampaengsaen or Uthong districts. Then, motorists should turn right into Suphan Buri and use the bypass road to enter Asia Higheway. From there, you can take the Visetchaicharn Intersection to Angthong or go via Samchuk District to Kai Bangrachan District towards Singh Buri. Then, use the Asia Highway to the Chainat-Tak Fa Intersection before turning towards Taklee District to Tak Fa District. From there, take the left and you can head to any northern provinces.

The second route is to use the Kanchanapisek Eastern Ring route and exit at Thanyaburi District and go towards Banna District to Hin Kong Intersection in Saraburi. From there, use Highway no. 21 and turn left at Muang Com Intersection to go to Kok Samrong and Tak Fa districts. Then, take Highway 11 and you can head to Phichit, Phitsanulok, Sukothai, Uttaradit, Prae and Lampang.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-23

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Tachine River's flood water approaching Nakhon Pathom, possibly affecting Nakhon Chaisri and Buddhamonthon districts/TAN_Network

PM orders Irrigation Dept to decide on water discharge at Canal 1 in Pathum Thani and provides armed security/TAN_Network

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Announcement of Warning on Flooding Situation in Bangkok (23/10/2011)

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) announced that due to the huge and continuing influx of water at a rather high speed from the North, people residing outside the water barrier along the Chao Phraya River have been tremendously affected by the rising tide of the river.

BMA issued this announcement to notify the public and urge those concerned to remain calm. However, it is strongly insisted that all valuable belongings, automobiles, and electrical outlets should be removed to safer places. Moreover, evacuation to the BMA shelters should be taken into consideration. The warning of flooding situation issued by BMA and other relating agencies should be closely monitored as well.

BMA would like the general public as well as those concerning residents to be assured that the administration will perform the tasks of protecting and rectifying the shortcomings to the utmost of accountability. Evacuation and mitigation plans have already been devised upon. The public could inquire additional information at www.bangkok.go.th or at the BMA district offices and the BMA Center of the Protection and Flood Relief Operation at tel. 1555.

M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra

Governor of Bangkok

Dated October 22, 2011

Foreign Office, The Government Public Relations Department

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Local residents travel on a paddle boat through floodwaters in Bang Bua Thong in Nonthaburi on the outskirts of Bangkok on October 23, 2011.

Thai troops reinforced vulnerable barriers along Bangkok's Chao Phraya river after a sudden rise in the water level set back efforts to contain the worst floods in decades. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has warned it could take six weeks for the deadly flooding to recede, telling residents in the capital to prepare for possible inundation up to one metre (three feet) deep.

-- TNA 2011-10-23