All 50 Districts In Bangkok To Brace For Flood Tonight

[h90]

Power in our condo went out as soon as the water arrived, intelligent planning put the power incomer and backup generator in the basement

Wifey is now supplying 4 apartments from her little 2kVA generator

Does she have enough fuel to keep it running ? I always wondered about things like that. I do know one thing im going to be better prepared next time.

I have 70 Liter here but got told that this generator take 2-3 Liter per hour....hope that is an overestimation

25-30 hour is not that much if the water stays 1 month

A 2kVA beastie should use about 1/2-1 Litre an hour depending upon load.

The local fuel outlet has power and fuel, the local motorcycle taxi chaps have acquired a boat and will collect fuel and water etc. If all else fails there are lots of cars stuck in the parking

I have 2500 (2800 short time) Watt beastie and Mr. Chinese shopowner told me 1 Liter 30 min if no or low load and much more if it has full load.

Book tells <=374 g/ps.h and rated power is 3.8 kW/3600 rpm.

I don't know what g/ps.h should be.

[petedk]

I just heared a rumour - cant verify it is true. All ATMS in Bangkok about to go offline.

Why would they be about to go offline? Is all the power going to go out in all the banks?

I was warned of this a week ago by a friend who is in a top position at a bank. It's something to do with Bank of Thailand's location.

I was told to withdraw money for two weeks.

Once, again, how would the Bank of Thailand's location affect ALL the bank's ATMs?

The ATM transactions don't go through the BOT. Each bank's ATMs are independent. The back end switches will talk to each other for inter-bank transactions, but that doesn't stop all ATMs for banks that are still working.

I really don't know. I am no expert on that.

I am just repeating what I was told after they held a meeting at the bank. Not only ATM's but possibly credit card transactions will be halted too.

[roblgs]

Tides follow a monthly (related to the moon) and a seasonal cycle (sun and moon together).

The monthly cycles peak at the full and new moon (so actually every two weeks) and are called 'spring' tides, with the tidal range (difference between high and low water) being greatest... Tides on the 1/4 and 3/4 moon are called 'neap' tides, and the tidal range is reduced on comparison with the 'spring' tide maxima. The full cycle is 28 days, but there is this 14 day subcycle of 'spring' and 'neap' tides.

This weekend marks a new moon, and so it is a 'spring' tide, and so a large tidal range with a 'high' high water mark.

This is compounded by the season, where the sun and moon pull together to create the super-tides that come at the Spring and Autumn equinox...

So, we are on both a monthly and seasonal peak.

With it being a new moon then both the sun and the moon are on the same side of Earth and so pulling together and tides, given the equinox, tend to be at their absolute highest.

As for why at night, that is related to the time of the high water as explained in previous post.

[Crossy]

The local fuel outlet has power and fuel, the local motorcycle taxi chaps have acquired a boat and will collect fuel and water etc.

Why you'll need fuel - when you unable to ride or even start the vehicle...?

It's not just road vehicles that use fuel, boats and in this case a genset also burn petrol or diesel.

[h90]

I have 70 Liter here but got told that this generator take 2-3 Liter per hour....hope that is an overestimation

25-30 hour is not that much if the water stays 1 month

if u are in a situation where u are using emergency power (or emergency resources of any kind) you should conserve it. if 70L has to last a month then only have the generator on 1 hour a day.

personally i would have got the heck out of there days ago..

It is my company here and I am the last one who leaves.

[Orac]

I just heared a rumour - cant verify it is true. All ATMS in Bangkok about to go offline.

Why would they be about to go offline? Is all the power going to go out in all the banks?

I was warned of this a week ago by a friend who is in a top position at a bank. It's something to do with Bank of Thailand's location.

I was told to withdraw money for two weeks.

Once, again, how would the Bank of Thailand's location affect ALL the bank's ATMs?

The ATM transactions don't go through the BOT. Each bank's ATMs are independent. The back end switches will talk to each other for inter-bank transactions, but that doesn't stop all ATMs for banks that are still working.

Not sure about the technicalities but there was a tweet earlier from one of the banks I believe saying there was no problem with them staying open over the long weekend provided the BOT systems were operating ok - not sure what that implies if BOT systems go down though???

[bkkjames]

I just heared a rumour - cant verify it is true. All ATMS in Bangkok about to go offline.

Why would they be about to go offline? Is all the power going to go out in all the banks?

I was warned of this a week ago by a friend who is in a top position at a bank. It's something to do with Bank of Thailand's location.

I was told to withdraw money for two weeks.

Once, again, how would the Bank of Thailand's location affect ALL the bank's ATMs?

The ATM transactions don't go through the BOT. Each bank's ATMs are independent. The back end switches will talk to each other for inter-bank transactions, but that doesn't stop all ATMs for banks that are still working.

So atms working or not? Not really a place for more rumours, there is enough wrong info around as it is.

[whybother]

Once, again, how would the Bank of Thailand's location affect ALL the bank's ATMs?

The ATM transactions don't go through the BOT. Each bank's ATMs are independent. The back end switches will talk to each other for inter-bank transactions, but that doesn't stop all ATMs for banks that are still working.

I really don't know. I am no expert on that.

I am just repeating what I was told after they held a meeting at the bank. Not only ATM's but possibly credit card transactions will be halted too.

Well there is no reason ALL the banks ATM networks would shut down just because of the BOT. The BOT might affect international transactions, but not internal transactions.

[SolarOhm]

Why does the flood water always seem to come at night?

That is a good question! Someone opening the gates in the night??

Yes, a very good question indeed. Anybody have a rough time when it is likely to stsrt?

There is a simple answer ,,, the moon causes tides to rise and fall. The moon appears in the Night - not in the day! Look in the sky at night - it is that big round white thing up there in the heavens.

[michemiche]

Why does the flood water always seem to come at night?

Interesting observation. Is it because sabotage or officials opening gates is done at night?

Whatever it is, it works and this morning I can see green returning to the edges of field in some areas in my province. So things do get better and in few sunny days citizens will be able to stretch their legs outside the relief camps..........

The problems in Bangkok have a silver lining, although difficult to appreciate as water rises. Good luck Bangkokians

Pretty simple. High tides in Thailand occur once per day, and at this time of year occur in the late afternoon; around 4.50pm today.

As the water rises, the amount of height the water will drop as it flows to the sea reduces, and therefore the river at a certain point, stops flowing out to sea, and upstream for some distance, the rate of flow reduces out to sea, while the water coming from upstream keeps flowing at the same rate.

This results in the water being at its highest, in line with the high tide. At this time of year, due to (IIRC) the moon, the tides tend to be higher and the lows not as low. April/May is when you see super low tides in the Gulf of Thailand.

Also, which doesn't help, the normal rainy season monsoon which we saw yesterday, tends to fall in the late afternoon following the land heating up and pulling in a sea breeze and pushing clouds up with height resulting in rain etc etc; which is why EVERY YEAR Sept and Oct are the most prone to flooding, as it is a perfect storm of soaking soil, rainfall from the north, high tides and afternoon rain.

Bangkok can handle flash flooding; what it cannot handle is the amount of water coming south.

No conspiracy (unless you believe Jatuporn) it is pretty simple stuff.

At this time, since monday, the tide rise TWO times a day, one in the night at about 5h39 for tonight at level 3m62, and another one in the afternoon at 16h23 at level 3m39, considering the low tide at 22h56 tonight at level 1m00, its huge difference, can find the charts of the tide for bangkok here : (excell) http://www.saltwater...tide-charts.htm

Edited October 26, 2011 by michemiche

[Litlos]

There are actually about 2 tide cycles per day. The peak on Thursday the 27th is 3.67 metres at 05:48. The 29th has 4.00 metres at 07:21. So it looks like Saturday will be the worst if the water keeps coming from upcountry. The tides levels are decreasing after Saturday. Google Bangkok Tide Tables and there is a site called Myforecast that is reasonably easy to understand.

Best of luck to all who are involved. I am offshore and can only read about it.

Cheers

[SolarOhm]

So atms working or not? Not really a place for more rumours, there is enough wrong info around as it is.

I withdrew cash this afternoon at Kasikorn ATM - using my Aussie visa card

[Crushdepth]

Can anyone check the Thai source? I am wondering if Promnok was really this emphatic about 'all' and 'will'. Because the Governor seems to have said 'all are at risk'.

Edited October 26, 2011 by george

[Swiss1960]

I have 2500 (2800 short time) Watt beastie and Mr. Chinese shopowner told me 1 Liter 30 min if no or low load and much more if it has full load.

Book tells <=374 g/ps.h and rated power is 3.8 kW/3600 rpm.

I don't know what g/ps.h should be.

PSh is an old energy unit which is not used any more. 1 hph (horespower per hour) = 1.014 PSh = 0,7457 kwh

Actually, 1 hph should be equal to 1 PSH (Pferdestärke (German for horsepower) Hour), but as usual, some very clever (German) academic needed to invent something new and screwed up with the definition and ended with 1 horsepower per hour not being equal to 1 horespower per hour.... That is why use of PSH has been decommissioned.

[whybother]

Not sure about the technicalities but there was a tweet earlier from one of the banks I believe saying there was no problem with them staying open over the long weekend provided the BOT systems were operating ok - not sure what that implies if BOT systems go down though???

I think the tweet was probably more along the lines of this:

Banks to remain open

The Nation

After consulting local and foreign commercial banks yesterday evening, Bank of Thailand Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul said financial institutions in Thailand would operate normally even though the Cabinet has declared tomorrow, Friday October 27-28 and Monday October 31 as holidays in 21 flood-affected provinces, including Bangkok.

Not depending on the BOT's systems, but depending on their decision, and which would have only affected whether branches were open, not ATMs.

[Swiss1960]

So atms working or not? Not really a place for more rumours, there is enough wrong info around as it is.

I withdrew cash this afternoon at Kasikorn ATM - using my Aussie visa card

May I issue a word of caution? ATM's might soon stop working or being stopped working

a) The need energy and as a bank, I would not keep my ATM's turned on when the water is coming... ATM could think he get's attacked and the alarm system would spray colour over all money inside... and of course, the electronic inside is not really waterproof...

The need for cash to leave BKK is so high that ATM's will soon be empty anyway and no bank will put their employees in danger and send them in flooded areas to refill ATM's...

so take out what you can as long as you can!

[alexakap]

The local fuel outlet has power and fuel, the local motorcycle taxi chaps have acquired a boat and will collect fuel and water etc.

Why you'll need fuel - when you unable to ride or even start the vehicle...?

It's not just road vehicles that use fuel, boats and in this case a genset also burn petrol or diesel.

...but it STILL sits on the very ground...or even (sometimes/somewhere) underground. Now let's just add water and turn gravity on.

Or will you put that to the very roof's top?

Edited October 26, 2011 by alexakap

[SolarOhm]

Most importantly - should I still go out to the bars tonite - despite the floods? Wade through water to get to see the girls - and more importantly - will the girls still be performing in the bars tonite?

[jeanpierre]

will there be free use of tollways???

[Tattoo180sx]

Flooding today across Bangkok is really only a taste of what is to come when high tides peak 27-31 Oct /via@RichardBarrow

I am afraid that you are right. Where is the Ark of Noah moored?

River city, still making it's way along the bloated c.p. river with 2 of every kind of buffet item causing waves on the hotels.

[beppi]

There is a simple answer ,,, the moon causes tides to rise and fall. The moon appears in the Night - not in the day! Look in the sky at night - it is that big round white thing up there in the heavens.

Hahahaha, that's a good one: "If I don't see it (during the day), it isn't there!"

[inquisitive]

Why does the flood water always seem to come at night?

Interesting observation. Is it because sabotage or officials opening gates is done at night?

Whatever it is, it works and this morning I can see green returning to the edges of field in some areas in my province. So things do get better and in few sunny days citizens will be able to stretch their legs outside the relief camps..........

The problems in Bangkok have a silver lining, although difficult to appreciate as water rises. Good luck Bangkokians

Pretty simple. High tides in Thailand occur once per day, and at this time of year occur in the late afternoon; around 4.50pm today.

As the water rises, the amount of height the water will drop as it flows to the sea reduces, and therefore the river at a certain point, stops flowing out to sea, and upstream for some distance, the rate of flow reduces out to sea, while the water coming from upstream keeps flowing at the same rate.

This results in the water being at its highest, in line with the high tide. At this time of year, due to (IIRC) the moon, the tides tend to be higher and the lows not as low. April/May is when you see super low tides in the Gulf of Thailand.

Also, which doesn't help, the normal rainy season monsoon which we saw yesterday, tends to fall in the late afternoon following the land heating up and pulling in a sea breeze and pushing clouds up with height resulting in rain etc etc; which is why EVERY YEAR Sept and Oct are the most prone to flooding, as it is a perfect storm of soaking soil, rainfall from the north, high tides and afternoon rain.

Bangkok can handle flash flooding; what it cannot handle is the amount of water coming south.

No conspiracy (unless you believe Jatuporn) it is pretty simple stuff.

While much of what you wrote is probably true, but I can tell you as a fact that high tides genrally occur twice per day on average, even here in Thailand (although it is also true that they ar normally not both the same size). Still, this means that if there is a hight tide at night, there is almost always a corresponding high tide during the day. Therefore, normal tidal movements would not explain why flooding would only come at night any more than it would explain why dropped toast always seems to land butter side down.

[spermwhale]

well that's it, then. The wellies are on, the noodles are on standby and over 1TB of downloaded movies/TV shows are ready to go !

Your naivete will soon drown in the reality of your situation. Kid thinks he's going camping. Yippee. How you gonna cook those noodles?

[timberboy]

Why does the flood water always seem to come at night?

Interesting observation. Is it because sabotage or officials opening gates is done at night?

Whatever it is, it works and this morning I can see green returning to the edges of field in some areas in my province. So things do get better and in few sunny days citizens will be able to stretch their legs outside the relief camps..........

The problems in Bangkok have a silver lining, although difficult to appreciate as water rises. Good luck Bangkokians

Pretty simple. High tides in Thailand occur once per day, and at this time of year occur in the late afternoon; around 4.50pm today.

As the water rises, the amount of height the water will drop as it flows to the sea reduces, and therefore the river at a certain point, stops flowing out to sea, and upstream for some distance, the rate of flow reduces out to sea, while the water coming from upstream keeps flowing at the same rate.

This results in the water being at its highest, in line with the high tide. At this time of year, due to (IIRC) the moon, the tides tend to be higher and the lows not as low. April/May is when you see super low tides in the Gulf of Thailand.

Also, which doesn't help, the normal rainy season monsoon which we saw yesterday, tends to fall in the late afternoon following the land heating up and pulling in a sea breeze and pushing clouds up with height resulting in rain etc etc; which is why EVERY YEAR Sept and Oct are the most prone to flooding, as it is a perfect storm of soaking soil, rainfall from the north, high tides and afternoon rain.

Bangkok can handle flash flooding; what it cannot handle is the amount of water coming south.

No conspiracy (unless you believe Jatuporn) it is pretty simple stuff.

Thanks that was an education :jap:

[Bagwan]

Pretty simple. High tides in Thailand occur once per day, and at this time of year occur in the late afternoon; around 4.50pm today.

Sorry but this is nonsense. As a rough guide a tide takes about 6 hours 15 minutes to come in, then there is a period of slack water before it starts to go out, taking 6 hours 15 minutes to do so. About 30 minutes later the tide start to come back in. All ocean going ships carried copies of the tidetables of ports around the world so that the amount of water under the keel when in a channel entering a harbour could be calculated. I suppose that local conditions can now be ascertained via the Internet. There are some places in the world where the difference between high and low water is as much as 15 feet. There are periods when the Sun and the Moon exert influence simultaneously giving rise to higher and lower tides and these are called Spring Tides; when the magnetic forces operate against each other the variation between high and low tides decreases and these is known as Neap Tides.

http://tides.mobilegeographics.com/calendar/month/362.html

http://tides.mobilegeographics.com/locations/362.html

An incoming tide will push water upstream in fact tidal flows in the Mekhong Delta affect the Tonle Sap River and is responsible for the variation of water levels in the Great Lake. The Thames is tidal all the way up to Teddington. Southampton has 4 separate high water marks every 24 hours due to water flows around the Isle of Wight.

[4evermaat]

Those would have to be those directly affected by floodzone. It's not just the actual network, but the ATM would need to be serviced/replenished daily, which cannot happen if roadways are blocked.

[rbrick49]

good luck down in BKK. we are high and dry up in Isaan..

yes high and dry 24 klm south of roi-et

[rbrick49]

Please explain how the Thai Democrats would have avoided the flooding of Bangkok.

They wouldn't have.

But, IMO, they would have been better communicating what's happening ... as shown by Sukhumband's performance.

no one could have stopped this here in isaan and further north have had the worst rains in 30 years according to my wife and her mother, we had i think at least 100mm last week and more to come so Bangkok brace yourself and good luck

Edited October 26, 2011 by rbrick49

[sirchai]

Still a lot of people in denial-that will change soon, sadly.

Flood in Ubon Ratchathani and Sisaket is pretty dangerous now. Any input about Isan? Our place might be flooded tomorrow in Sisaket, Ubon is a big mess, seems that the whole country is falling apart now.

The good news is that Thaksin will be back soon and the lies to farmers here will go on. Thank you Miss Yingluck for your wise words...?

Edited October 26, 2011 by sirchai

[bkkjames]

Still waiting for the govenor's 8pm press conference.