Thailand Live Friday 28 Oct 2011

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Bangkok Residents Advised to Move Upcountry

FROC recommends Bangkok residents to move up country, as the large number of flood victims stationed at evacuation centers makes it difficult to accomodate additional evacuees.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-28

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Abhisit ready to assist on flood control if invited by Thai govt

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2:40pm Both the Pinklao & Krung Thon bridges in Bangkok are now closed due to high floods /via @js100radio /RT @RichardBarrow:

14.50 Boat to used on the route from Sai Mai to Saphan Mai due to about waist-deep flood http://yfrog.com/khgutvzlj TR @js100radio

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Flood-related help for foreign residents in Thailand, Suphachalasai Stadium Center 0844999078

/The Nation (sms)

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Flood barricades built at Phra Khanong Canal's embankment breaks down, causing water to gush into Sukhumvit 48 and 50 roads. /TANN

14.59 Sukhumphan: No need to evacuate from Bang Khen yet, only 20% flooded in Anusaowari & Tha Raeng sub-district /TR @Voice_TV

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Their Majesties worried about flood victims

The Nation

Their Majesties the King and Queen have been concerned about the plight of flood victims, Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, pledging full military efforts on rescue and recovery.

"Their Majesties told the soldiers to take good care of the people," he said.

Prayuth said the King has been monitoring the flood despite his frail health.

The armed forces mobilised 50,000 soldiers to help victims of Bangkok flood and would call in reserves if deemed necessary, he said.

Defence Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha said the flood might take two months to solve. He urged the people to persevere over the natural adversity.

-- The Nation 2011-10-28

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15.10 In front of Big C Saphan Mai submerged whereas nearby Lotus still dry http://twitpic.com/76w43t TR @Voice_TV

28 Oct : Inundation at Odean roundabout and Traimit temple [see pictures] http://fb.me/YYrNlvXx TR @ktnews

90% of Don Muang Airport is now flooded. /TANN

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Flood-hit Thailand slashes growth forecast

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Sukhumphan hopes water will not expand from Bang Khen but to keep a close watch on Ladprao & Wangthonglang TR @bangkokgovernor

3.35pm Jet ski being used on Vibhavadi Rangsit Rd. [Picture] http://lockerz.com/s/150935626 TR @nnanews

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398 bank branches closed

The Nation

A number of bank branches closed nationwide reached 398 as of today while the number of unplugged ATMs rose to 4,188, according to Bank of Thailand.

Of all branches closed, 158 are in Pathum Thani, 104 in Bangkok and 71 in Nonthaburi. Of total, 95 belong to Siam Commercial Bank.

Most of the unplugged ATMs are also located in Bangkok and peripheral provinces: 1,420 in Pathum Thani, 1,015 in Bangkok, and 73 in Nonthaburi.

The central bank insisted that only the clearing office in Ayutthaya remains closed. Meanwhile, the clearing for transactions in Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi - which are cleared by the central electric clearning system in Bangkok - proceeds as usual.

-- The Nation 2011-10-28

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3.33pm Banharn told the Nation he'll not evacuate but stay & give a hand to the Charansanitwong residents /TR @NationChannel24

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Electricity distribution in Bangkok's inner city not affected by flood

BANGKOK, 28 October 2011 (NNT) – The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) is confident that floods will not affect electricity distribution, particulary in Bangkok's inner city zone. Mrs Jongkolnee Tantijattanon, Director of the MEA Bang Khen office, confirmed that electricity distribution to Bangkok's inner city will not be disturbed by the current flooding crisis since businesses, department stores, hospitals and private offices have cooperated with the MEA in advance to prepare for the situation.

Underground power lines, such as those under Silom and Sukhumvit Roads, are fully equipped with an efficient protective system. Today, the MEA will lay separate electricity lines from its transformer on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road to the Flood Relief Operations Center (FROC) at Don Mueang Airport, which is 300 metres away, so that the center will not be affected in case the Airports of Thailand (AoT) is unable to supply the electricity, or the electricity is cut out for flooded zones. With the separate wiring system, the FROC will be free from electricity cut due to floods.

-- NNT 2011-10-28

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Suvarnabhumi airport flooding prevention system assured

BANGKOK, 28 October 2011 (NNT) – Suvarnabhumi airport is confident in its flooding prevention system and has set up the team for closely monitoring the flood situation around the clock.

Airport of Thailand Public Company limited's Executive Vice President, Mr Somchai Sawaddeepol, acting Director of Suvarnabhumi airport, revealed that Suvarnabhumi airport was assured that it would not be affected by the flood crisis because of its effective prevention system which involves 23.5 long ramparts encircling the airport. The ramparts’ base is 37 metres wide and 3.5 metres high.

Together with the cooperation with Department of Highways and Department of Rural Roads, officials are confident that the water from outside can not flush in. Meanwhile, the airport's area has a big reservoir, which can take up to 4 million cubic metres of water, 2 water pump stations and 8 pumping machines, which can pump 1 million cubic metres of water out per day. Furthermore, a coordination center has been set up to assess the flooding situation around the clock by constantly coordinating with Bangkok's Department of Irrigation and Meteorological Department.

Mr Somchai confirmed that all airlines are still operated normally and there is no flight cancellation. Averagely the airport receives 130,000 passengers per day. Orient-Thai and Nokair has recently moved into the airport and have already fitted in the prepared spaces. However, passengers are urged to spare more time when travelling to the airport. Taking public transportations such as BTS, Airport link or Taxi is advisable.

-- NNT 2011-10-28

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MRT subway operates as usual

The Nation

Bangkok Metro Plc, the operator of MRT subway, keeps the service running as usual despite the construction works at 18 stations.

In a statement, BMCL said that all stations are open as usual.

For updates on the service, commuters can check www.bangkokmetro.co.th www.facebook.com/bmcl.mrt and www.twitter.com/mrt_bmcl.

-- The Nation 2011-10-28

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PM negotiates with Rangsit Klong 9 residents; drilling road by tonight to move water to Klong Hok Wa /MCOT

3.50pm PEA will stop providing electricity in Prueksa Villa Projects 4-8 in Nakornpathom due to 1.5m. flood /TR @js100radio

Plenty of water at Central Chitlom RT @beejoir http://twitter.com/beejoir/status/129842500415401984/photo/1 /RT @RichardBarrow:

[Lite Beer]

The following highways are congested BUT dry:

Highway from Korat to Saraburi/Lopburi via Pak Chong.

Highway from Lopburi/Saraburi via Nakon Najok, Prachinburi, Panom Sarakam, Chachongsao to Sattahip.

If you want to leave BKK heading north/northeast , take Motoway 7 Param gau- Suvarnabumi -Pattaya, leave the motoway exit Chachengsao, heading to Chachengsao,Panom Sarakam, Kabinburi, Pak Tong Chai to Korat (north-east) and further (Kongen,Udon or Buriram, Surin, Ubon R.)

Like I said before: no water visible!

From a ThaiVisa member

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Royal Irrigation Dept opposes plan to excavate roads at Sai Mai District, saying it is not a foolproof solution to protect Bangkok. /TANN

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4.01pm Cars parked on MJETS of DM Airported must be moved out immediately,water rising up fast http://twitpic.com/76wngt /TR @ktnews

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WARNING: The evening high tide at 5:53pm is not as high, but a lot of water left behind from this morning /@RichardBarrow:

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Bangkok's Sukhumvit Sois 48, 50 flooded

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More districts warned to evacuate as river continues to rise

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4.33pm The entrance of Annex Community [Picture] http://twitpic.com/76wxa3 /TR @fm91trafficpro

4.30pm Maharat Rd. (Tha Chang - Tha Prachan) now overflowed again due to evening high tide by footpath deep / TR @js100radio #thaifloodeng

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SET index closed at 973.18, up 13.01; Bt/USD30.39; GBP48.72; AUD32.30; EUR42.91; CAD30.45; HKD3.91; SGD24.26; JPY39.83

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Egg prices skyrocket up to 7 baht per egg and might be depleted for consumption during the flood crisis aftermath /TAN_Network

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4.49pm Boots are sold overpriced at 500bahts/pair in Pekkred Pier Market, Nonthaburi http://bit.ly/uAkxBx TR @js100radio

4:53pm Gou Temple in Pakkred, Nonthaburi now submerged over 1m. http://bit.ly/rDYyne TR @js100radio

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Govt not to demolish roads for drainage

The Nation

Transport Minister Sukumpol Suwanathat on Friday confirmed the government would not demolish roads in eastern Bangkok for drainage of floodwater into the sea via Samut Prakan.

"After a thorough survey of eastern Bangkok, no roads have been found to block the water flaw," he said.

Sukumpol said efforts will be intensified to dredge existing canals and waterways in order to speed up the diversion of floodwater to the sea.

-- The Nation 2011-10-28

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NASA Satellite Image of flooded Ayutthaya

Follow this link: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=76234&src=nha

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VIDEO: "Tens of thousands flee Bangkok ahead of high tide" Report by @seacorro for @abcnews bit.ly/tBM6EP

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5:18pm PM Yingluck calls for the cabinet meeting at the parliament & plans to move FROC http://bit.ly/s7LifH / @manageronlines

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Japanese refugee in Phuket pot bust

FROM THE TIGER TO THE CROCODILE: Haruyuki Masuoka, from Japan,

was arrested this morning for possession of marijuana as he fled from

the high waters of Bangkok to Phuket.

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