Thailand Live Tuesday 25 Oct 2011

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More than 230 7-11 stores are closed nationwide (most in Central part) as the affect from flooding: NationTV /@Kalyakornn

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For those asking, US Marine humanitarian team working on Thai flood relief. USS Mustain (GW carrier group) in port. /via@KristieKenney

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Foreign Investors Furious with Thai Govt Response to Flooding

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Energy Min orders all gas stations to increase reserves by 11 days; all pumps will now need 29-day reserves /TAN_Network

Tesco Lotus says NO decision to shut ALL stores. Company will make statement later today /via@seacorro

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CNN Interview with PM Yingluck: We must protect important economic centers

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Pathum Thani Governor Transferred Over Flood Response Errors

The Pathum Thani provincial governor will be transferred to an inactive post at the Interior Ministry due to his mistakes in flood response work.

Pathum Thani Provincial Governor Peerasak Hinmuangkao will be transferred to an inspector post at the Interior Ministry after he was found to have made mistakes in flood response work.

The Flood Relief Operations Center on Monday evening voiced disappointment and criticized the provincial governor for his poor handling of the flood situation.

He was accused of letting a group of people tear down the sandbag embankment at Sear Rangsit, allowing floodwaters to burst from Rapeepat Canal and reach the Donmuang Airport and surrounding areas on Monday afternoon.

Peerasak had recently been under threat of being transferred because of his association with the Bhum Jai Thai Party.

He was the governor of Buriram Province during the previous government.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-25

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Annual Police Reshuffle to be Discussed

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, who supervises the Royal Thai Police, will attend a meeting with the Police Commission today to finalize the police position reshuffle.

Today, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, in charge of police affairs, will preside over the meeting of the Police Commission at the Royal Thai Police Office scheduled for 1.30 P.M.

The main agenda to be discussed is the annual police reshuffle.

The Commission will consider the positions of 18 high-ranking officers, including the deputy commander in chief and adviser to the police chief posts which were proposed on October 21.

Also, the commission will ensure the police reshuffle is carried out transparently.

However, there will be another panel to review the candidates' qualifications and capabilities thoroughly.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-25

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MRT's Purple Line (Bang Yai-Bang Sue) construction halted after flooding at many sites; no disruption in construction of SRT's Red Line /MCOT

10.45 Tap water in Phrasamut Jedi in Phrapradaeng found yellowed (via @js100radio & @namsom_boom ) /via@Porpich

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Health experts fm @USEmbassyBKK looking at how we can help w long term health impacts of flooding in Thailand. /via@KristieKenney

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10.50 Water overflows Vibhavadi Rd. in front of Don Muang airport, highest at 40-50 cm. http://lockerz.com/s/150078034 /via@Porpich

11.10am: Charansanitwong Rd, Bang Plad, near Yanhee Hospital. Water is 10-30cm high: pic.twitter.com/OvK1bJId /TR @Reporter_Js3 /via@tukky_nt

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11:20am Paholyothin rd., in front of Air force base, 10-20cm flooded. Still commutable.~ @Reporter_js8 http://pic.twitter.com/axtE9eD4

10.44 One crocodile seen in Soi Samrej Phattana, Bang Kruay. Residents there should be careful (via @Voice_TV ) /via@Porpich

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FLASH: Nok Air has stopped their services from NOON today as water reaching the north of Don Mueang Airport /via@Patee122

Nok Air flights leaving from others cities will land at Suvarnabhumi Airport. The services will stop until Nov 1. /via@Patee122

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11.10 Traffic patrolman moving out cars parked on Dao Kanong tollway (via @js100radio & @Thanatlee ) /via@Porpich

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Nok Air is canceling flights until Nov 1; today's flights are being rerouted to Suvarnabhumi Airport /TAN_Network

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Thai government declares public holiday in flood affected areas Oct 27, 28 and 31. Did not specify where. /via@MartinPetty

Cabinet has declared Oct 27-31 public holidays due to flood situation /TAN_Network

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Cabinet approves extra day-off between Oct 27-31 for people living in flooded areas /MCOT

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Impact Arena extends free parking area from until 28 Oct. to until 4 Nov.(8.00-12.00) More info ☎0283357778 (via @js100radio )/via@Porpich

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Bangkok Gov's Morning Briefing Oct 25, 2011

Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra held his morning press conference at the headquarters of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. His main concerns this morning are water levels on the Chao Phraya River which are expected to reach record breaking points again today. The river water level could reach as high as 2.35 to 2.40 meters.

Sukhumbhand asked residents to be careful and not take the situation for granted. If residents are not confident in the situation, they should move to evacuation centers available in many areas.

Once again, the governor reiterated that residents living along the banks of the Chao Phraya, both inside and outside the flood barriers, should brace themselves for unusually high water levels. Locals living along canals directly connected to the Chao Phraya should also remain alert as high tide is expected October 28 to 30. At those times, levels might reach 2.60 meters, 10 centimeters higher than Bangkok’s flood barriers.

Sukhumbhand admitted that Don Muang District remains flooded. However, BMA officials are making sure the flood water does not affect the operations of the Flood Relief Operations Center.

As for the Bangplad area, the governor revealed that the gap in the flood barrier is located on private property so repairs will be made with more difficulty and will take more time.

Sukhumbhand warned residents along the Taweewattana, Premprachakorn, and Hok Wa canals to be especially cautious as water levels continue to rise. Officials are using these canals to divert water away from central Bangkok.

To date, evacuation centers in the capital have received over 5,000 evacuees.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-25

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AFP: Japan to support firms hit by Thai floods

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PM Approves Imports from Neighboring Countries

The prime minister ordered to establish a new trade channel to import essential goods from neighboring countries to prevent Thai residents running short on basic necessities.

Director-General of the Internal Trade Department, or ITD, Watcharee Vimuktayon said the flooding created a meager amount of essential goods, especially instant noodles, milk powder, canned food, and sanitary napkins.

For this reason, the government has decided to establish a new channel of trade by allowing imports from neighboring counties such as Malaysia to import essential goods to accommodate Thai residents.

In a meeting with the public sector yesterday, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra ordered the Commerce Ministry to be in charge and implement a fast-trading track so that imported goods can reach the country by next week.

Since goods have to be delivered quickly, the PM is convincing the Food and Drug Administration to be more lenient on its procedures in approving imported goods and consider appropriate tax rates as well.

Import procedures will be decided after the next meeting.

Public wholesalers and retailers are determining the amount of goods required to meet consumer needs, whereas every retailer is waiting for The Federation of Thai Industries to assess the number of products needed.

However, the list of items and the number of imported goods will be determined by the Modern Trade Mall, as it is where most residents purchase goods from.

Malls have been short on essential goods because many factories suspended production during the flooding.

Malaysia is the main country where imported goods will be ordered because the taxes on imported goods remain mostly at 0 percent according to the ASEAN Free Trade Area, or AFTA, which aids to reduce problems on tax rates.

However, the Finance Ministry might have to be reduce regulations of import documents to accelerate import.

Items include canned food and sanitary napkins are expected to be imported by next week.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-25

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12.00 A few crocodiles seen in the Mahasawas canal, Bang Kruay. Residents there be careful (via @Voice_TV ) /via@Porpich

PICS: flood water in CHARANSANITWONG 86/1. http://yfrog.com/oe92tyj /TAN_Network

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Private sector is to decide on their own on the holidays on Oct 27-31. /via@tukky_nt

@AquaExpert: Worried about bottled water shortages in Bangkok? You might buy an inline filter (while you can). http://www.waterfiltercomparisons.com/water_filter_comparison.php

BOT to meet banks this evening to decide whether banks will close on Oct 27-31;closure will be delayed as long as possible /TAN_Network

SET to wait for Bank of Thailand's decision on Oct 27-31 holiday;confirms trading can continue even if flooding hits inner BKK /TAN_Network

NokAirline CEO: "@Patee122: we won't operate any flight tomorrow" /via@veen_NT

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Bkk governor: Situation worrisome. Residents along Chao Phya banks should consider moving to safe places. /RT @tulsathit

FROC: Water expected to reach 1-1.5M near LAK HOK, MUANG AKE, BAN MAI and surrounding areas to evacuate within 24hrs. /TAN_Network

Urgent!!! FROC announces the evacuation for people living in Lak Hok, Baaan Mai and Muang Ake in 24 hours. /via@veen_NT

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Due to the current flooding crisis, delays may be experienced when contacting Bangkok Airways for assistance http://fb.me/X58op0pE /via@bangkok_airways

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Evacuation Order Issued for Communities Near Lak Hok Canal

The Flood Relief Operations Center (FROC) issued an evacuation order for communities near Lak Hok flood barrier, including Muang Ake and Ban Mai areas in Pathum Thani Province. Water is expected to reach 1-1.5 meters. Residents have been told to evacuate within the next 24 hours.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-25

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After 3pm today - Orient Thai flights will move to Suvarnabhumbi airport. /via@veen_NT

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URGENT! FROC Announcement for immediate evacuation from Muang Ake within 1-2 hrs. /RT @tulsathit: RT @Kalyakornn:

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Nok Air has been moving some planes from Don Muang to U-tapao /via@b_surisa

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Today, neither FROC nor Bkk governor has sounded confident about Bangkok. Words like "worrisome", "unpredictable" are used. /via@tulsathit

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Power plant in Bangkok not affected by the deluge

BANGKOK, 25 October 2011 (NNT)-Energy Minister Pichai Naripthaphan insisted that there would be no fuel shortages although the delivery could be delayed due to flooding situation.

The Energy Minister added that the Phra Nakhon Nuea Power Plant has not been affected by the deluge. He further reassured the public that gas stations will remain open particularly in the northern and northeastern regions of the country despite the floods.

According to him, oil and gas delivery could be 4-6 hours late as trucks are using other routes to avoid flood waters. There are currently 34 gas stations which remain closed while the other 242 have resumed their services. 80 LPG gas stations have been closed and 30 others remain open.

Meanwhile, he said Bangkok residents will still be able to use electricity as usual as the Phra Nakhon Nuea Power Plant has not been affected by the inundation. He added that the Ministry of Energy has a plan in place in case the Power Plant is not able to generate electricity. Other sources of electricity will be supplied to Bangkok residents from elsewhere

-- NNT 2011-10-25