Thailand Live Wednesday 26 Oct 2011

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Immigration Bangkok Not Closed during holiday from 27-31 October

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Collision with parked car on Chalong Rat Expwy, causing domino effect with other parked cars

Motorcycle collides with parked car on bridge at Ratchaphruek Rd, killing driver. Owner being sought.

/via@RichardBarrow: RT @thai101

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PM's address on flood

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Official: water rises in Taweewattana Canal by 14 cm to 2.18 m; Mahasawat Canal approaches barrier height at 2.5 m /via@news1005fm /TAN_Network

No Chao Phraya Express boats until 7 Nov. Cross-river ferries & long-tailed boats working but be careful of high tides. /via@RichardBarrow

Taweewattana officials urging residents along canals to evacuate to 7 evac centers, as water levels raise concern via @news1005fm /TAN_Network

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Chayo Phraya Tide Prediction

today Wednesday 26 Oct

Follow this link: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/ShowPrediction.aspx?PortID=6882A&PredictionLength=7

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PM reiterates again that she is not relocating FROC despite rising floodwater; confirms officials can protect Suvarnabhumi Airport /

Flood water reaches the Thai Airways Office in Lak Si /

Mahasawat Canal overflows; begins to flood Salaya of Nakorn Pathom Province /

/TAN_Network

Thai PBS reports 4 ppl hospitalised in Nonthaburi from adverse reaction to smell from unidentified substance in old vegetable oil factory. /via@terryfrd

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Why Thailand and Bangkok is flooding...

Video:

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Summary of the flood situation, subtitles in English

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 936.57, down 5.98 points /MCOT

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PM alerts Bangkok residents to brace for flood tomorrow; affirms Suvarnabhumi Airport to be spared /MCOT

PM: Floodwater could sweep through outer, inner Bangkok /MCOT

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PM: Floodwater could sweep through outer, inner Bangkok

BANGKOK, Oct 26 -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday night said the massive and powerful of the oncoming floodwaters is too strong for any barrier or water sluice gate to resist and it is most likely that the water would sweep both outer and inner Bangkok.

Ms Yingluck, in her televised address to the nation at 8.30pm, said the most at-risk areas are along the Chao Phraya River, along flood prevention barriers and areas outside the anti-flood walls.

Those areas were likely to be flooded and the levels of water would be different, depending on the ability to manage the water and the height of the areas, she said.

The premier vowed that all agencies concerned would do their best to solve the crisis to ease the difficulties from water clogging the capital as fast as possible.

She said the water volume coming from the north is far beyond the potential of the system to respond, meaning that the Thonburi side of Bangkok and its suburban provinces will be flooded on average 50cm.

Water flowing into the heart of Bangkok or inner city was believed not to cause too much damage, she said. If the water management measures run smoothly as planned and there are no more ruptures of flood prevention dykes, the water could be under control and not higher than 50cm.

In eastern Bangkok -- Min Buri, Nong Chok, and Lat Phrao districts -- the authorities were trying to drain water into the sea but they risk being flooded between 1-1.5 metres deep on average, she said.

As a precautionary measure, the premier advises the public to move their valuable items to higher ground, to be saved from floodwater.

Ms Yingluck said instructions were given to agencies concerned to strictly monitor and protect important sites such as the Grand Palace, Siriraj Hospital, palaces, and public utility services, to minimise impacts.

She said the Flood Relief Operations Centre (FROC) would do its best to take care of public and was ready to support and working with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to overcome the flood crisis.

The flood relief donation reception site will move from Don Mueang Airport to Suphachalasai National Stadium, she said.

Cabinet declared Thursday through Monday Oct 27-31 as extra holidays in 21 provinces including Bangkok to allow residents in areas affected by floods to deal with the city flood situation during the weekend high tide period as floodwaters from northern run-off are now flowing into northern Bangkok, said the premier.

The government will help people who decide to travel from Bangkok to stay with relatives in provinces, she said.

The premier urged public not to panic but closely monitor situation and listen to information and recommendations from government agencies. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-10-26

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Bangplad District Remains Critical This Morning

The flooding situation in the Bangplad District remains critical this morning as water level continued to rise throughout the night. However, a majority of residents are refusing to evacuate their homes.

Officials continue to try to repair a collapsed flood barrier in Charansanitwongs Soi 80. Concern escalates as high tide in the next couple of days will cause the water level in the Chao Phraya River to increase even further. District officials have mechanisms in place if the situation worsens, but they are hopeful that repairs to the barrier will be completed in no later than two days.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-26

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Bangkok inundation spreading

The Nation

The inundation at Don Mueang on Wednesday spreaded to Lak Si via Vibhavadi-Rangsit highway and to Saphan Mai via Paholyothin Road.

The water is expected to further move to Lat Phrao junction.

The overflow of Chao Phraya River happened in several areas along the embankment coinciding with high tide around 6.13 am.

Bangkok's Yaowarat Chinatown has been inundated since 3.00 am due to the overflow. The initial inundation was recorded at 80 centimeters before receding to 50 centimeters. Workers are trying to pump the water out of the area. The inundation disrupted morning's transactions at the popular wet market, Talad Noi.

In Bang Phlat, the severe inundation has persisted on Charan Sawitwong Road and workers are trying to fix the dyke.

Police have completely closed traffic on Arun Amarin Road due to flood.

-- The Nation 2011-10-26

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Royal Thai Airforce has aircrafts moved out from its airstrip at Don Mueang

BANGKOK, 26 October 2011 (NNT)-Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Airforce (RTA),Air Chief Marshal Itthaporn Subhawong issued an order to move all aircrafts out of the RTA Airstrip in Don Mueang district after flood water had covered the RTA's territory.

Air Vice Marshal Monthon Satchukorn, the Air Force Spokesperson, said that RTA had all of the aircrafts and helicopters on the flood relief mission moved out from its airstrip after the northern zone of the Don Mueang Royal Thai Airforce Base had been submerged by flood and the overflow had poured into the airport zone. All aircarfts, which will continue on their flood relief mission, will fly from other bases near Bangkok.

RTA earlier moved aircrafts under reparation or maintenance out of the airstrip, while prompting the remaining to be ready to fly out as flood approached.

-- NNT 2011-10-26

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Floods wreak havoc in 26 provinces throughout Thailand, claim 373 lives with 2 still missing; over 2.4 million residents affected / TAN_Network

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Bkk Gov: main point of concern is level in Chao Phraya River; yesterday reached 2.4 m, expected to reach same level today at 4:51 PM /TAN_Network

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ManSri temporary Pet shelter will foster dogs & cats for flood victims during the crisis, call 08-70310583 /~@Thairath_News

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Bkk Govn: residents in Bangplad please evacuate immediately.....The districts is in crisis. (via nation ch.) /via@Tulip_Oum

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(in Thai language)

Thai Navy daily tide charts

tide at the Navy Headquarters downtown Bangkok

Follow this link: http://www.navy.mi.th/hydro/Chaophraya/rtnhq.htm

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Irrigation department

Follow this link: http://water.rid.go.th/chao_scada/forecast/Table_Max_Min/Table_MaxMin.htm

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11am Rajapreuk rd closed for traffic, from Baromratchachonnani to Rama5 roundabout, due to flood.~@js100radio /via@Tulip_Oum

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Govt flood relief centre surrounded by waters as high as 50cm; Shortage of consumer products will be relieved within one week /MCOT

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Govt Adds 16 More Products to Price Control List

The central committee regulating the prices of goods and services has added 16 additional products to the price control list in the wake of flooding.

Commerce Minister Kittirat Na Ranong said the Central Committee Governing Prices of Goods and Services has resolved to add 16 products to the price control list, bringing the total to 57.

The latest additions include household and consumer products, and materials used for making barriers to protect against floods, which are currently in high demand.

The previously listed items include packaged drinking water, toilet paper and facial tissue, flashlights, batteries, sand, toothpaste, bricks, life vests, small boats that hold up to 15 people, long boots, bedding, water buckets, pumps, candles, and sealant.

Kittirat said the list will be effective until the end of the year, and the committee will reassess the situation and review the list.

Manufacturers are required to declare production costs and the prices of raw materials used in manufacturing the products.

Violators will receive a maximum five-year jail sentence, a fine of up to 100,000 baht, or both.

He added that the Commerce Ministry will also announce recommended prices for the 16 products.

Retailers who sell products higher than the recommended prices will be punished with a maximum jail sentence of seven years and fined up to 140,000 baht.

The policy will be enforced.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-26

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Yingcharoen Market sees some flooding but level still manageable http://yfrog.com/kg5mrylj

Flooding on Phaholyodhin Rd in Sapanmai area http://yfrog.com/ob419tj

/TAN_Network

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11.10 Water reaches Lak Si intersection (via @Voice_TV ) /via@Porpich

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CNN: Floods Could Cost Thailand More than Political Unrest

CNN says Thailand's worst flooding in decades could cause more economic losses to Thailand than last year's political unrest.

In an article titled “Cost of Thai floods Greater than Political Unrest”, CNN said the Governor of the Bank of Thailand, Prasarn Trairatworakul, expects the Thai economy to grow less than 3 percent this year, down from previous estimates that put growth at around 4 percent.

This means the economy in the fourth quarter is expected to shrink 1.1 percent from a year earlier.

Finance Minister Theerachai Phuvanatnaranubala told Reuters that interest rates will remain unchanged at 3.5 percent, the first time since 2006 that rates have not been increased.

CNN noted that the flooding has caused more damage to the Thai economy than last year's political unrest, when the nation's economic output still grew at 7.8 percent despite clashes between red-shirt protesters and the military that were feared to scare away tourists and investors.

Tourism accounts for 7 percent of total economic output, and manufacturing and agriculture, the most important sectors of the Thai economy, are all bearing the brunt of the floods.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-26

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Bangkok Gov's Morning Briefing Oct 26, 2011

Water in Chao Phraya/Key Canals Expected to Rise Today

Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said in his morning press briefing that the water level in the Chao Phraya River is expected to reach yesterday’s level of 2.40 meters. Today’s high tide is around 4:51 P.M. Water levels within the capital’s main canals are also expected to rise.

Sukhumbhand did have some good news. He said runoff from the north seems to be easing.

He said the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is working closely with various embassies in the capital so local officials can be sent in to coordinate measures to protect embassies in risk areas.

Tomorrow, the governor will be meeting with representatives of the private sector to discuss precautionary measures and possible emergency scenarios.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-26

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Central Pinklao is closed today (Oct 26) as flood water causes traffic congestion in the area /TAN_Network

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11.15 Tawee Wattana residents ordered to evacuation right away. Water overflowed Odient traffic circle (via @Noom_Kanchai ) /via@Porpich

11.30 Sirindhorn Rd. in front of Tang Hua Seng high flooded, vehicles impassable (via @fm91trafficpro ) /via@Porpich

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Toxic smoke injures 4

PATHUM THANI, 26 October 2011 (NNT) - Four residents in Nonthaburi reportedly suffered toxic smoke inhalation after the embankment in Pathum Thani province broke open yesterday.

According to rescue volunteers from Pohtecktung Foundation, the water pierced through a leak on the embankment near Nonthaburi Bridge around the Suan Somdej junction in Pathum Thani province, causing a three-meter long crack on the embankment which allowed an influx of water onto the ground where a factory is located. Shortly after the spillover, an acrid smell billowed out of the factory, sickening four people who were later rushed to a nearby hospital.

The said area is home to 25 families, most of which have already been evacuated.

-- NNT 2011-10-26

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Chareonkrung 22 flooded all the way up to the Odeon Circle /TAN_Network

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Flood Threatens FROC

The Flood Relief Operation Center will continue to be headquartered at Don Muang Airport although it is likely that flood will hit the airport soon.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will travel to the Flood Relief Operation Center or FROC to follow up on the water situation after the huge runoff from central plain provinces fluxed into the outskirts of Bangkok.

During a national broadcast last night, the premier conceded that the flood is likely to reach the inner zone of the capital.

As of now, the evacuees in Don Muang Airport have already been transferred to other shelters in Chonburi Province after 50 percent of the airport area is reeling under flood, while the main road outside the airport is submerged with 60 centimeters of water.

Consequently, the atmosphere of the airport is not as lively.

The remaining officials are the army and police officers facilitating the relocation.

The prime minister has not approved the order to relocate FROC despite the alarming degree of floodwater.

However, many FROC officials and volunteer workers began to move to the Suphachalasai Stadium, which is set up as a new evacuation center.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-26