Be Vigilant: Bangkok Governor

[webfact]

Be vigilant, advises governor

The Nation

Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra added that the flood situation was under control but authorities must remain vigilant.

Sukhumbhand said the runoffs flowing through Rangsit to Klong Hok Wa have increased by two centimetres and authorities were on the alert to protect people in floodrisk areas such as Don Muang, Lak Si, Bang Khen, Sai Mai, Lat Krabang, Kannayao, Min Buri, Klong Samwa and Nong Chok.

He said he was informed that Bangkok would be hit by heavy rains throughout the week, so it would take twice as long to discharge flood water into the sea.

The governor insisted that the BMA has been cooperating fully with the government to open the water gates to drain flood water into the sea.

"We did not close the gates or play politics. Some gates and canals like those at Klong Prawet are under the jurisdiction of the Irrigation Department. The government should instruct the department to open the gates to prevent any misunderstanding by the public," he said.

Sukhumbhand said the BMA had set up evacuation centres that could cater to more than 2,600 people and were preparing more places to accept at least 10,000 evacuees.

The city administration has postponed school openings to November 15

-- The Nation 2011-10-24.

[TommyDee]

Announcement of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration

Subject : Announcement on Warning on Flooding Situation in Bangkok

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

M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra, the Governor of Bangkok, said that an assessment of the flooding situation in Bangkok revealed that the volume of the flood from the area of Rangsit, Prathumthani Province that has been increasing significantly and will continue to increase at larger volumes from now on. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, hence, informs the public that the areas of the following districts will be affected, namely, Don Mueang, Lak Si, Bang Khen, Chatujak, Bang Sue and Sai Mai.

BMA, consequently, instructs people residing in those mentioned areas to move their valuable belongings, automobiles and others items to higher ground. Those residing in the areas posing with potential dangers to lives and properties are instructed to move and seek temporary shelters at the center of flood relief operation designated and prepared by BMA. In particular, the priority must be assigned to those with sickness, underage, and older ages. The general public and all governmental agencies are required to monitor the situation very closely and follow the further announcements of BMA.

However, the Governor requested the general public not be panic and be assured that BMA will perform its duties with the utmost accountability and will join the Flood Relief Operation Center of the government in improving this situation of hardship and assist people all 24 hours. BMA will mobilize all emergency services teams as well as medical teams to stand ready in providing assistance and advice to the public.

Upon assessing the situation with all indicators BMA would like to inform that a rather serious upcoming is very imminent and inevitable. However, BMA will further assess the situation for the other surrounding districts tomorrow. Should the situation turn critical, the Governor assures that he would be the very first person to inform the public as announced and promised.

Moreover, BMA has relayed this message to the Permanent - Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to instruct the embassies, the residences of ambassadors and diplomatic corps locating and residing in those mentioned areas. BMA has also prepared this announcement in English for those foreigners in Bangkok to be informed as well.

The Governor reiterated that this mishap resulted from the area of u-turn under the Rangsit Bridge on the Paholyothin Road where BMA had initially reinforced with sand bags in improving the conditions of flooding. But unfortunately while BMA was continuing the tasks in the area it had been opposed by groups of people. The opposition had led the group of the opposing resorted to violence forcing BMA to redeploy its work force. The incident then caused the overflow of flood into the area of the Memorial Site.

[DocN]

Call me naive, but I can not imagine the whole of Bangkok under 1 meter of water for a month! That would be complete madness! We are not talking the crystal-clear-waters-of-the andaman-sea here! We are talking stinking, infested, contaminated water. I have no car (as many others don't). Does anyone expect us to wade to work, in chest-high dirt? Many businesse will just come to standstill, which hurts a place, housing 40% of the thai-economy so bad, that everyone will suffer, not only Bangkoks population. With the food and drinking water shortage that we are already experiencing and a govenrment that obviously has even less of a plan than the govenour, i wonder, how much more death and disease we are going to see?! There MUST be a way to let water flow through Bankok in a controlled way. Don't get me wrong: I am not saying, that Silom has to stay dry on all accounts. But "taking one for the team"must be possible in a cotrolled way, that doesn't bring more severe suffering to this country. Open the gates and drown the city is no solution to anything!

[Sunderland]

Call me naive, but I can not imagine the whole of Bangkok under 1 meter of water for a month! That would be complete madness! We are not talking the crystal-clear-waters-of-the andaman-sea here! We are talking stinking, infested, contaminated water. I have no car (as many others don't). Does anyone expect us to wade to work, in chest-high dirt? Many businesse will just come to standstill, which hurts a place, housing 40% of the thai-economy so bad, that everyone will suffer, not only Bangkoks population. With the food and drinking water shortage that we are already experiencing and a govenrment that obviously has even less of a plan than the govenour, i wonder, how much more death and disease we are going to see?! There MUST be a way to let water flow through Bankok in a controlled way. Don't get me wrong: I am not saying, that Silom has to stay dry on all accounts. But "taking one for the team"must be possible in a cotrolled way, that doesn't bring more severe suffering to this country. Open the gates and drown the city is no solution to anything!

Dear Naive,

Thank you for your concern. Unfortunately, there is a possibility that the whole of Bangkok may be flooded and in some areas this could well last up to a month. Although a large degree of madness has contributed to this scenario, we regret that it is too late to U-turn on the level of madness.

Whilst we have had to open gates to accommodate some of the water in order to relieve the pressure on existing barriers, the flooding that is descending upon us doesn't need to access the gates and therefore will come over/through the flood barriers of its own accord. As you will see from close inspection, not all canals are full at present, but they will be soon.

Please expect there to be a serious lack of food and water for the next month.

We look forward to seeing you out in the clear-up operation about 4 weeks from now.

Thank you for your correspondence.

Yours optimistically,

Khun Doom

[DocN]

Call me naive, but I can not imagine the whole of Bangkok under 1 meter of water for a month! That would be complete madness! We are not talking the crystal-clear-waters-of-the andaman-sea here! We are talking stinking, infested, contaminated water. I have no car (as many others don't). Does anyone expect us to wade to work, in chest-high dirt? Many businesse will just come to standstill, which hurts a place, housing 40% of the thai-economy so bad, that everyone will suffer, not only Bangkoks population. With the food and drinking water shortage that we are already experiencing and a govenrment that obviously has even less of a plan than the govenour, i wonder, how much more death and disease we are going to see?! There MUST be a way to let water flow through Bankok in a controlled way. Don't get me wrong: I am not saying, that Silom has to stay dry on all accounts. But "taking one for the team"must be possible in a cotrolled way, that doesn't bring more severe suffering to this country. Open the gates and drown the city is no solution to anything!

Dear Naive,

Thank you for your concern. Unfortunately, there is a possibility that the whole of Bangkok may be flooded and in some areas this could well last up to a month. Although a large degree of madness has contributed to this scenario, we regret that it is too late to U-turn on the level of madness.

Whilst we have had to open gates to accommodate some of the water in order to relieve the pressure on existing barriers, the flooding that is descending upon us doesn't need to access the gates and therefore will come over/through the flood barriers of its own accord. As you will see from close inspection, not all canals are full at present, but they will be soon.

Please expect there to be a serious lack of food and water for the next month.

We look forward to seeing you out in the clear-up operation about 4 weeks from now.

Thank you for your correspondence.

Yours optimistically,

Khun Doom

I didn't mean , call me *Naive*. I am the Doc....oh forget it...