All Eyes On Bangkok'S Flood Barriers As New Wave Arrives Today

[whybother]

If what Tanong claims is true, and we have to bear in mind that he hasnt provided evidence and is a very extreme supporter of the yellow movement, the cabinet minister should resign or be sacked. Then again many north of Bangkok think the BKK governor should resign for refusing to allow the opening of flood gates (which we know to be true), something which Dr Seri has said guaranteed the immersion of Bangkok. We shouldnt be partisan in appointing blame. Unfortunately the divides will decide where people see blame as there are so many areas where mistakes have been made and so many people who have including of course Abhisit taking a holiday. Or maybe it should just be left for electorates to sort it out at the respective next set of elections as there is not going to be any agreement over who did what wrong and when even if some would like there to be, and in a democracy PM, government and governor performance is judged by those people answer to ie who elect them. And the outcome of that will likely depend a lot more on how the post flood situation goes.

Blame for natural disaster can be thrown around but how the clean up and reopening of industry goes is going to be a lot more critical as it affects people's ability to get over the crisis and move on. This politically will be a big one for PTP as right now they will have lost little of their traditional support but that could change if the factory workers dont get their work back although the chances of the votes going to the Democrats are virtually zero, so it may just be a dont vote as none of them are any good reaction if they feel they have been let down. Right now though the conventional wisdom of Bangkok never opens the gates and so we always flood north of the divide allows Bangkok to get the blame and in Bangkok the major criticism from north that the governor didnt open the gates provides cover for the governor with his electorate as it seems he was protecting BKK until Yingluck removed his authority, and how many listened to Dr Seri saying it was not opening the flood gates until too late that guaranteed a bigger BKK flooding?

Whatever way you look at it and whatever side people take it is still all about division politically speaking.

I suppose we can expect Yingluck to resign for not opening the flood gates either. The klongs inside the flood barriers have barely moved since Yingluck proclaimed that they were going to be opened and Bangkok was going to flood because of it.

[siampolee]

A Cabinet member blocked the irrigation's plan to release the water from the dam in September."I shall assume the sole responsibility," he said./via@ThanongK

Why has not this fine upstanding cabinet minister stepped up to the podium to receive the honour he so richly deserves for serving his paymasters.

Perhaps though he is little shy,nay apprehensive of appearing on the roll of (dis) honour chart of Thai-land.

Chart-tha

[hammered]

If what Tanong claims is true, and we have to bear in mind that he hasnt provided evidence and is a very extreme supporter of the yellow movement, the cabinet minister should resign or be sacked. Then again many north of Bangkok think the BKK governor should resign for refusing to allow the opening of flood gates (which we know to be true), something which Dr Seri has said guaranteed the immersion of Bangkok. We shouldnt be partisan in appointing blame. Unfortunately the divides will decide where people see blame as there are so many areas where mistakes have been made and so many people who have including of course Abhisit taking a holiday. Or maybe it should just be left for electorates to sort it out at the respective next set of elections as there is not going to be any agreement over who did what wrong and when even if some would like there to be, and in a democracy PM, government and governor performance is judged by those people answer to ie who elect them. And the outcome of that will likely depend a lot more on how the post flood situation goes.

Blame for natural disaster can be thrown around but how the clean up and reopening of industry goes is going to be a lot more critical as it affects people's ability to get over the crisis and move on. This politically will be a big one for PTP as right now they will have lost little of their traditional support but that could change if the factory workers dont get their work back although the chances of the votes going to the Democrats are virtually zero, so it may just be a dont vote as none of them are any good reaction if they feel they have been let down. Right now though the conventional wisdom of Bangkok never opens the gates and so we always flood north of the divide allows Bangkok to get the blame and in Bangkok the major criticism from north that the governor didnt open the gates provides cover for the governor with his electorate as it seems he was protecting BKK until Yingluck removed his authority, and how many listened to Dr Seri saying it was not opening the flood gates until too late that guaranteed a bigger BKK flooding?

Whatever way you look at it and whatever side people take it is still all about division politically speaking.

I suppose we can expect Yingluck to resign for not opening the flood gates either. The klongs inside the flood barriers have barely moved since Yingluck proclaimed that they were going to be opened and Bangkok was going to flood because of it.

They have been opened in a controlled manner which is hampered by high tides at the moment and the Bang Pakorn river being at a higher level than the canals that need to exit into it. I think that part of Dr. Seris claim that the opening of gates too late was a causal factor in guranteeing BKK would flood worse is based on the cyclical nature of tides

I actually think both Sukhumband and Yingluck (or her government) will be judged by their respective electorates and how they are judged will depend on a lot of other factors including what happens after the flood, and lets not forget that their are currently also floods in the NE and the south often floods a little later in the year. Rememeber everyone is playing politics and Sukhumband can later blame FROC which Bangkokians will empathise with and those north of BKK for years and years have been flooded to save BKK when floodgates havent been opened.

I actually think if Yingluck called a national election now she would still win it although I wouldnt suggest anyone be stupid enough to call an election when clearing up after a natural disaster is far more important to most people than politicking right now

[Rosco911]

The stereotype I heard about Thailand was that they eat cats and dogs (because I brought my cat to Thailand) so now, perhaps, that myth will become reality in Bangkok when the food supply is at a critical low............

Food may be low in Bangkok, but no one is starving. There are strategic food inventories on several military bases outside the flooded areas. The military is tasked with providing the logistics and the oversight. The planning has been going on for several weeks. Large orders have been made for key active pharmaceutical ingredients as well as vaccines and essential medications. Multiple NGOs have been planning and preparing for the flood aftermath. The reason food supplies are now scare is because of panic buying and hoarding. As well, many large retail chains started to hold back supplies as they knew that it was better to wait until really needed than to risk having it lost in the supply chain once the flood hits the warehouses and retail outlets.

Hoarding is a nice way to put it. This was taken in Makro a few days ago near Bangna. I had asked the clerk if some of the crates from above could be brought down for I can purchase a few items. I was told that a few people had already purchased all of these and she then pointed around the entire store indicating these few people owned everything. Greed and obvious profiteering. Sickening to see things such as this.

Makro should be boycotted for allowing hideous exploitation like that.

Totally agree. Once again someone ripping off the people that need it.

[serenitynow]

A Cabinet member blocked the irrigation's plan to release the water from the dam in September."I shall assume the sole responsibility," he said./via@ThanongK

Why has not this fine upstanding cabinet minister stepped up to the podium to receive the honour he so richly deserves for serving his paymasters.

Perhaps though he is little shy,nay apprehensive of appearing on the roll of (dis) honour chart of Thai-land.

Chart-tha

I saw that yesterday and thought about posting it, but I wouldn't stick my neck out on a Thanong Tweet that doesn't name names. To suggest he's been wrong beofre is an understatement. Though he does sometimes dig up some good stuff, but hardly ever naming names.

[hanuman1]

A Cabinet member blocked the irrigation's plan to release the water from the dam in September."I shall assume the sole responsibility," he said./via@ThanongK

Why has not this fine upstanding cabinet minister stepped up to the podium to receive the honour he so richly deserves for serving his paymasters.

Perhaps though he is little shy,nay apprehensive of appearing on the roll of (dis) honour chart of Thai-land.

Chart-tha

I saw that yesterday and thought about posting it, but I wouldn't stick my neck out on a Thanong Tweet that doesn't name names. To suggest he's been wrong beofre is an understatement. Though he does sometimes dig up some good stuff, but hardly ever naming names.

This guy sounds like Jatuporn without the support.

[sprq]

Breaking News

British Airways have responded to the UK Foreign Office's travel warning advisory against flying into Bangkok

They are to relaunch BOAC and a much missed service

Is that a Sunderland I see? Just the ticket!

[FarangBuddha]

Instead of free tablets for everyone...maybe the new policy should be free Burberry raincoats for everyone

[blackthorn2005]

the best is just to leave, pack up everything to the upper floor and let the neighbours watch after the house. There is no food in the shops, those who stocked themselves with whatever there was on the shelves, won't be able to survive for 2 weeks - 1 month on it.

in the villages people do eat water plants and fish, in bangkok it would be much more difficult, even because of the pollution

If this is your best, I would not like to hear your worst. Why would your neighbours stay and look after your house? Especially if 'There is no food in the shops' and' those who stocked themselves with whatever there was on the shelves, won't be able to survive for 2 weeks - 1 month on it.'

[HardenedSoul]

As you are obviously so well informed could you tell me where all this plentiful supply of Thai food is , cos it's certainly not in the 3 major supermarkets in my area...and as for bottled water not seen any on sale for days !!

Guess it depends where you live. If you're in one of the 'burbs, then it could be tricky but if you're central, just traipse a bit or get creative. Went to the local gym late last night with a couple of 5L plastic bottles; greased a palm with 100 baht, walked out with 10 cold litres.

[bino]

From the breaking news section today:

"Thaicom Foundation presented 20 floating toilets and 1,000 emergency toilet sets through Thaksin Shinawatra's three children." That was highly generous of the Shinwatra siblings.

For real? got a link / hint to the right "breaking news" site? Can't find it on any of the usual sources...

[whybother]

From the breaking news section today:

"Thaicom Foundation presented 20 floating toilets and 1,000 emergency toilet sets through Thaksin Shinawatra's three children." That was highly generous of the Shinwatra siblings.

For real? got a link / hint to the right "breaking news" site? Can't find it on any of the usual sources...

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Seoul-sends-instant-noodles-drinking-water-30168648.html

[koosdeboer]

From the breaking news section today:

"Thaicom Foundation presented 20 floating toilets and 1,000 emergency toilet sets through Thaksin Shinawatra's three children." That was highly generous of the Shinwatra siblings.

For real? got a link / hint to the right "breaking news" site? Can't find it on any of the usual sources...

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Seoul-sends-instant-noodles-drinking-water-30168648.html

I'm waiting for the shinawatra siblings filling sandbags instead of filling their fashion bags. I also heard that Thaksin offered to fill sandbags in stead of a jailterm.

[frodo]

From the breaking news section today:

"Thaicom Foundation presented 20 floating toilets and 1,000 emergency toilet sets through Thaksin Shinawatra's three children." That was highly generous of the Shinwatra siblings.

For real? got a link / hint to the right "breaking news" site? Can't find it on any of the usual sources...

http://www.nationmul...r-30168648.html

I'm waiting for the shinawatra siblings filling sandbags instead of filling their fashion bags. I also heard that Thaksin offered to fill sandbags in stead of a jailterm.

Apparently, Thaksin's home in Thonburi is being protected using BMA sandbags. It has been noted that most people have to buy their own sandbags. You would think he has enough sand in Dubai to make his own.

http://twitpic.com/76cnch

[bino]

For real? got a link / hint to the right "breaking news" site? Can't find it on any of the usual sources...

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Seoul-sends-instant-noodles-drinking-water-30168648.html

I'm waiting for the shinawatra siblings filling sandbags instead of filling their fashion bags. I also heard that Thaksin offered to fill sandbags in stead of a jailterm.

Thanks for that - missed it completely. I was looking for it in a headline. Granted, toilets are important, but when you consider that they are rich enough to donate just about anything, <deleted> made them decide on toilets.?? Seems kinda contemptuous to me!

[muchogra]

The stereotype I heard about Thailand was that they eat cats and dogs (because I brought my cat to Thailand) so now, perhaps, that myth will become reality in Bangkok when the food supply is at a critical low............

My wife will let the dogs eat me instead of the other way round. And that is a certainty... tsure, tsure!

Edited October 27, 2011 by muchogra

[witsawakorn]

Residents in flood-prone Bangkok urged to leave

by Thanaporn Promyamyai

BANGKOK, October 27, 2011 (AFP) - Thai authorities urged residents in flood-prone areas of Bangkok to evacuate Wednesday, warning them that the arrival of a massive deluge of water was imminent.

A huge runoff from the north equivalent to 480,000 Olympic swimming pools is expected to reach the capital at the same time as seasonal high tides, the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said.

"The floodwater has reached the inner city," it said in a statement, putting the expected volume of water at 1.2 billion cubic metres.

The government has ordered a five-day holiday from Thursday for 21 provinces including Bangkok, to allow the city's residents to prepare for the inundation or leave.

"I would like to ask Bangkok people who are already affected or could be affected soon to consider evacuating to other places," said Thongthong Chantarangsu, spokesman for the country's Flood Relief Operations Centre (FROC).

"Food and deliveries will become more difficult," he added. FROC said it was working on providing extra shelters across the city of 12 million people.

Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said that a large amount of water "will get to Bangkok tonight", after Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said flood barriers might not be able to hold back the deluge.

During the holiday Government offices will be closed and authorities have urged public and private companies to allow their staff the time off, but the central bank said financial markets and banks would not shut.

Public schools in Bangkok, currently on holiday, are not expected to reopen until November 15, and several international schools have also delayed the return of pupils.

More than 600 inmates, including some on death row, were moved on Wednesday from the notorious Bang Kwang prison on the Chao Phraya riverbank -- better known as the "Bangkok Hilton".

Workers at Dusit Zoo, also near the waterway, also began to evacuate some of its residents, including spotted deer and antelopes, while structures were provided for lions to climb up to safety.

Adding to the deluged kingdom's woes are fears of crocodiles on the loose from flooded farms -- another three were captured Wednesday in Nonthaburi province, north of the capital.

"They are between 1.7 and 1.8 metres (five and a half and six feet) long," an official from the fisheries department told AFP, adding that they knew of no attacks on humans by the escaped reptiles, whose numbers remain unclear.

The country's worst flooding crisis in decades has been plagued by contradictory information from national and local authorities, confusing Bangkok residents who have been bracing for the onslaught of water for days.

Yingluck said on Wednesday she was "fifty percent confident that the inner zone of Bangkok will not be completely flooded," toning down comments from a day before when she said flooding in central Bangkok was "highly likely".

She said a "worst-case scenario" would see parts of the low-lying city inundated by "more than one metre" of water.

"Initially, the floods in Bangkok will last for two weeks to one month," she added.

Many supermarkets were running low on essential items such as bottled water and eggs as residents stocked up on goods ahead of the expected deluge, and the premier advised people to boil tap water before consuming it.

More than 370 people have been killed in the three-month flood crisis caused by unusually heavy monsoon rains, damaging the homes of millions of people and forcing tens of thousands into evacuation centres.

Bangkok's main international airport, Suvarnabhumi, is operating as normal but the domestic Don Mueang airport in the north of the city suspended flights on Tuesday until November 1, after waters started seeping onto the runways.

About 4,000 flood evacuees who had found refuge at a disused terminal on the compound were being moved to other shelters.

The disaster is expected to shave around one percent off Thailand's economic growth in 2011, according to the government, which on Tuesday announced a raft of measures to help flood-affected businesses in an bid to reassure investors.

Proposals to boost investor confidence include about $10 billion in soft loans and tax waivers.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-10-27

It's a shame that the government continues to focus on their skills at predicting the outcome for Bangkok and adding to this insane daily drama as if the rest of the people don't count. It's a shame that the large Thai companies don't open facilities for helping people. Disease fighting centers, medical and food supply facilities, evacuation resources - trucks, warehouses..etc.. Here they are - check out what they have done so far on their web sites. Little if anything - What about the big Thai companies? What are they doing? Any of them setting up relief centers or medical emergency facilities? Where are they - Red Bull, Charoen Phopkhand, Singha, Thai Air, Preuksa, Seafresh, Bangkok Bank, SCB, Ayudha, PTT, True, AIS, Siam Cement, Central Group, Raimon Land...etc.. ? It's time they were called out - Their lack of support and resources is a national disgrace.

Sorry to say, but they will soon have to deal with the aftermath - disease, massive health and medical issues, contamination, monumental health disaster - Cholera, Typhoid, leptospirosis., Dengue., who knows what, etc? I feel bad for the Thai people who relied on higher levels in their commercial and government sector to back them up in times of emergency are now stuck because of selfish, self centered, self absorbed, elite, privileged arrogance.

Do you really expect large companies to start looking for ways to hand out money? I can't think of a precedence for this kind of anti bottom line activity. ( e.g.I don't recall hearing many stories about companies providing assistance when Katrina hit the Southern US although I wasn't there ) Can you? However when it comes to the employees it's a different story. I know that the staff in my employer's offices have organised collections to help flood victims as soon as the flooding started to affect large numbers of people. ( as they did when the Tsunami hit in 2004)

[Markaew]

The stereotype I heard about Thailand was that they eat cats and dogs (because I brought my cat to Thailand) so now, perhaps, that myth will become reality in Bangkok when the food supply is at a critical low............

Obviously your experience in South East Asia is very limited - supermarkets are short stocked (farang items) but it is not a famine - We are in Thailand Thai food is still plentiful everywhere maybe it comes back to that old adage "when in Rome do as the Romans do".

I was at Tesco and a local market today finding veggies quite plentiful. The open markets are still running strong.