Thailand Live Monday 24 Oct 2011

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Pakkret, Khlong Prapa level stable (Bangkok Post)

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Defence min: Govt must use own judgement on whether to invoke emergency law, army chief says emergency law unnecessary. /TAN_Network

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PM orders Irrigation Department to slow down release of water into capital, urges public, private sectors to allow employees days off /MCOT

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Long-term flood prevention system envisioned

Nalin Viboonchart

The Nation

Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong promised a flood-prevention system for industrial estates, in the government's bid to restore investors' faith.

Following the Monday morning meeting with the private sector, including industrial estate operators today at the Stock Exchange of Thailand, he said "There would be a prevention system, to be designed by experts."

Aside from short-term rehabilitation efforts including the facilitation in machinery imports, he said that a committee will be set up, to be represented by industrial estates, business operators, experts and government agencies. The committee will be tasked to devise a long-term prevention strategy.

"I can assure all that the government’s rehabilitation efforst would face no obtascle, including the financial supports which could require tens of billion baht," he told the industrial estate operators.

To date, seven industrial estates have been inundated. Kittiratt said that it should take 45 days to drain water out of the flooded industrial estates, from the day that the water level stabilises.

-- The Nation 2011-10-24

[george]

3G roaming this month for AIS customers

Full story:

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Khon Kaen destined as Thailand’s new green city

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PM and the BMA prepare to protect inner Bangkok

BANGKOK, 24 October 2011 (NNT)-Prime Minister Yingluck Shinatra has admitted that the flood levels are still high while discussing prevention plans with the Bangkok Governor to protect inner Bangkok from inundation.

Ms. Yingluck said many areas of Bangkok have been inundated due to several factors which are difficult for related authorities to control. She further added that the sluice gate at Khlong 1 could not be closed as the torrent was too strong; however, every effort had been made to close the gate.

The Prime Minister insisted that the government and the Flood Relief Operations Center were not trying to conceal information from the public, adding that ordinary people had been constantly updated about the floods.

Over a thousand of soldiers have been instructed to protect the barriers 24 hours a day while the Bangkok Governor has attended the meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss emergency plans should the situation get out of hand.

-- NNT 2011-10-24

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BKK Governor set 3 measures to keep royal territories, Don Mueang Airport and industrial estates on guard

BANGKOK, 24 October 2011 (NNT) – Bangkok Governor has prepared 3 flood prevention measures to protect major locations including royal territories, Don Mueang Airport and industrial estates from being flooded.

According to BMA Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra's latest statement on water situation, residents in the 6 flood-risk areas in Bangkok were informed to be cautious all the time because all the floodgates in Bangkok have already been opened to release the water more rapidly, after the residents were earlier urged to move their belongings to higher ground as announced in the 4th issue of BMA's announcement.

As for today, it is estimated that there will be rains in 20% of the area but if the amount of rain is enormous, the release of floodwater into the sea will be slowed down. Currently, the water in Prapa Canal has not yet subsided while there is stll overflow in Prem Prachakon Canal adjacent to Don Mueang district.

According to the resolution of the BMA's meeting, there will be 3 monitoring strategies including firstly, the prevention within royal territories possibly affected by the 6 flood-prone districts, secondly, the flood monitoring and prevention scheme of the Flood Relief Operations Center (FROC) and lastly, the protection of the industrial estates from further posing flood-hit effects on enonomy.

BMA Governor added that he had cooperated with the Metropolitan Electricity Authority to monitor electrical system used with water pumping machines to achieve constant water release process. He also called on executives of the Lat Krabang Industrial Estate and the Bang Chan Industrial Estate, both of which are located along the embarkment, to discuss and consult about the flood prevention methods before meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss about other matters.

-- NNT 2011-10-24

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Waterworks Facilities Protected by 3 Layers of Flood Barriers

The chief of the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority reveals emergency measures have been deployed to safeguard water treatment plants in Bang Kaen and Maha Sawasdi with as many as 3 layers of flood barrier. The authority vows to protect the facilities from the floods.

Chief of the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) Charoen Passara revealed emergency measures have been implemented to protect the water treatment facilities in Bang Kaen and Maha Sawasdi. Three layers of flood barriers have been constructed to protect the facilities from the flood.

Together with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the MWA are working to drain the excess water from the Prapa (waterworks) Canal. They hope to increase the drainage rate by another 4,200 cubic meters per hour to prevent water from spilling into the inner parts of Bangkok.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-24

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Plan to evacuate flood victims to Muak Lek National Sports Center suspended due to transport difficulties

BANGKOK, 24 October 2011 (NNT) – Initially, the plan to evacuate the flood victims from Thammasat University's Rangsit Campus to the National Sports Training Center Muak Lek in Saraburi province is under revision after difficulties in transporting the evacuees are found.

-- NNT 2011-10-24

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PM: No information concealment on flood situation

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UN Story Retraction and Apology

To Whom It May Concern

On Friday, October 21, 2011, the Thai-ASEAN News (TAN) Network broadcasted a news story entitled “UN Blames Govt for Poor Flood Management”. The story quoted UN ESCAP Executive Secretary Noeleen Heyzer for something she did not say. However, in actuality, the quote belonged to Jerry Velasquez, senior regional coordinator for UN/ISDR Asia & Pacific.

Once informed of the misquote, TAN Network corrected the story on the evening of Friday, October 21, 2011. The corrected version can still be found at http://www.tannetwork.tv/tan/ViewData.aspx?DataID=1048976.

There is no excuse for the mistake that was made. TAN Network, its management and its editorial team sincerely apologizes for the error that was made. However, we must stress that there were no ill intensions.

This incident has served as an important lesson to all of our staff. We apologize and will do our utmost to never allow this to happen again in the future.

Our sincere apologies.

The Thai-ASEAN News Network

Bangkok, Thailand

October 24, 2011

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Transport Min: Restoration of damaged roads might cost 25 bn THB

BANGKOK, 24 October 2011 (NNT) – The Ministry of Transport has indicated that a budget of up to 25 billion THB might be needed for the repair of flood-damaged roads and highways while efforts are urgently being made to unblock transportation routes.

Permanent Secretary for Transport Supoj Saplom insisted that authorities were striving to save the transportation system from being impacted by floods. So far, floodwater has made commutes difficult on many northbound roads, including Phahonyothin Road at Bang Pa-in and Wang Noi districts of Ayutthaya, the Asian Highway heading towards Nakhon Sawan, Motorway Number 9 between Bang Pa-in and Bang Bua Thong as well as the Chaeng Wattana-Bang Pa-in Expressway between Thammasat University and Bang Pa-in.

People traveling to the North are encouraged to take the road towards Nakhon Pathom and Suphan Buri before returning to the Asian Highway at Ang Thong or Sing Buri.

As for motorists bound for the Northeast, they are recommended to avoid the flood by using the Don Mueang Toll Way to Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok Road before continuing their journey to Saraburi province via Nakhon Nayok’s Ban Na district.

According to Mr Supoj, flood damages have been reported on a total of 80 roads under the supervision of the Department of Highways and another 200 roads under the supervision of the Department of Rural Roads. The Permanent Secretary affirmed that repair works would be conducted immediately after the floods had subsided.

An initial budget of one billion THB is expected to be spent on reopening the flooded roads for traffic while another amount of 20-25 billion THB might be required for their complete restoration.

-- NNT 2011-10-24

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Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smartraveller advisory service.

The following Travel Advice has changed or been added since our last update (18 Oct 2011 13:43:25 EST):

* Thailand

http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Thailand

Current Advice Level: "High degree of caution"

Change Summary:

This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information in the Summary and under Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate (updated information on flooding, including in parts of Bangkok). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

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Thai Floods Spill Into Northern Bangkok After Armed Men Prevent Levee Work

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(3.37pm) The main entrance at Don Muang is flooded. Use the next gate instead. http://twitpic.com/752173 /via@Pat_ThaiPBS

Puay Library at Thammasat Rangsit today: http://yfrog.com/h2l0yzoj /via @nnanews RT @tukky_nt:

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Water has swelled over barrier in Sam Phraya Temple Community, continuing on to Sam Saen Rd /via @SpringNews_TV

Be prepared, almost all the canals- except only "Khlong Tan", are connected. /RT @Aim_NT

The water drainage of Khlong Prawes in Bang Bo, Samutprakarn. TR @GaengTM via @b8tv @SPKFlood http://twitpic.com/751wwx /RT @Aim_NT

Just in time?? TR @Prettyreporter: Govt talks to Retailers assoc to solve shortage of goods problem. /RT @veen_NT

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Just thru Paragon & CenWorld markets. Both now showing empty shelves for some things,but overall eat/drink OK. /via@LAGuyinBKK

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@SpringNews_TV reporting that water is rising in area around central bank; officials pumping water out;

if situation is not controlled, water will flow to the Prawet Market nearby /TAN_Network

CORRECTION (cont) if situation is not controlled, water will flow to the Thevet (not Prawet) Market nearby /TAN_Network

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Chi River floods Kalasin-Roi Et main road

KALASIN, 24 October 2011 (NNT)- Chi River flushed into the main Kalasin-Roi Et road, making it impassable for small vehicles.

Overflow from the Chi River destroyed the 1-metre-high clay embarkment in Lam Chi sub-district in Khlong Chai district and Chao Tha sub-district in Kamalasai district, flooding a lot of rice fields and houses. In addition, it has inundated 2 sections of the main road under the responsibility of the Department of Highways.

The first inundated section is around the intersection at the entrance of Ban Hua Haed and around Ban Nong Chod at a distance of 1 kilometre long with 70 cm-high water level, making small vehicles unable to pass. Another section of 80 metres is around Ban Tha Klang close to the foot of the Chi River Bridge.

Those travelling from Kalasin to Roi Et can avoid the flooded routes by driving up to Ban Bo Intersection, turning left for 20 metres and turning right at the 5 km mark on a non-asphalt road which passes Ban Nong Tu, Ban Dong Ling and Ban Nong Chod. This road leads to the Kalasin-Roy Et main road and River Chi River Bridge connecting to Roi Et province. Another option to go to Roi Et provinve is via Yang Talat district, into Kanthara Wichian district to reach Maha Sarakham province and Roi Et province respectively.

-- NNT 2011-10-24

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Tesco lotus in kanchanaburi town has been out of drinking water for many days now. Never seen so many empty shelves! /via@beanbakedinbkk

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21 fuel stations in BKK closed

The Nation

Floods cause temporary closure of 21 of total 782 fuel stations in Bangkok, according to the Energy Ministry.

Meanwhile, spokesman Patchara Naripthaphan said in a statement that fuel stations along highways have resumed operations.

"There’s sufficient supply of natural gas for vehicle to unflooded stations. We can assure all of no energy shortage during floods," he said.

He also denied reports that the ministry would delay the energy credit card scheme. The scheme to help lower fuel cost for public transport providers would be launched on Dec 1 as planned, he said.

-- The Nation 2011-10-24

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Drinking water becoming scarce at the FROC HQ today. /RT @Aim_NT: "@tulsathit: TR @ruangdit:

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PATTAYA NEWS

Shootout following altercation at North Pattaya Pub:

Sick Elephant rescued from certain death at East Pattaya forest:

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Ayutthaya and some areas north of BKK are heartbreakingly flooded http://yfrog.com/kgst7mij /RT @KristieKenney:

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@Johan_Munkestam: Co-worker reports that Villa @ Nichada and Ari has lots of goods in stock.

@RichardBarrow: Reports of empty shelves at far flung places not affected by flood: Kanchanburi, Pattaya, Hua Hin & Krabi.>Khon Kaen also.

/via@veen_NT

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No volunteers needed at Rajamagala - they have enough, please head to others. Thanks.

Kasetsat University's animal shelter is now full: can't accept more animals.

Bangkok Patana Int School is open as usual tomorrow because of no flood in the Bangna area.

via@veen_NT

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Korean tourist in Phuket ICU after tour van slams into tree

Phuket rescue workers arrive at the scene, just south of the Thepkrasattri Bridge.

Photo: Wichai Wittawat

Phuket emergency workers reset van driver Anuchart Lertsiriwongsakul's leg before

removing him from the wreck. Photo: Wichai Wittawat

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Panic buying and food shortages impact Pattaya

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1,500 evacuated from center a Rajamangala Uni of Tech Thailand in Thanyaburi as water flows through collapsed earth dike /TAN_Network

PM inspects Phra Khanong pumping station, dismisses plan to use Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road as route to release water to sea /MCOT