Thailand Live Monday 31 Oct 2011

[Lite Beer]

Three police injured in Yala attack

Three police were injured in the latest bomb attack in Yala's Bannang Sata district on Monday.

Two sergeants; Ruengrit Thongtip and Nares Tipsala and Sent Sgt Maj Sunya Jitlerm were suffered from shrapnel from the explosion and were rushed to Bannang Sata Hospital. However Sunya was later transferred to Yala Hospital as his wounds were serious.

Initial police investigation showed that the injured police and other police were riding on a pickup truck on Pawang-Bannang Sata road when an explosive the insurgents hid under sacks near an electricity pole on the roadside went off.

-- The Nation 2011-10-31

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Don Mueang Airport is now submerged under 2 meter deep water

BANGKOK, 31 October 2011 (NNT)-The flood level in Don Mueang Airport is now at 2 meters deep while the water on Vibhavadi Rangsit road has reportedly moved up to Lak Si intersection and flooded some parts of Bangkhen district.

Small vehicles are now unable to pass through the Vibhavadi Rangsit road section in front of Don Mueang Airport. Even though larger vehicles may be capable of wading through the flood, a report said it is still difficult for a military truck to use the road.

The report added that the flood water had spread into Bangkhen and Saphan Mai areas but was still contained at Lak Si Canal.

The local road, which runs parallel to Vibhavadi Rangsit road passing Thung Song Hong police station, Miracle Grand Hotel and Chulabhorn Research Institute, is not heavily flooded with vehicles still able to pass. However, Chaeng Watthana road has already been closed to the traffic.

-- NNT 2011-10-31

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31/10 There're 2 trains to Chiang Mai for northern route. Southern route 5 trains but start at Nakornpathom Station ~ @nnanews

[Lite Beer]

Hong Kong extends tourism ban on Thailand as flooding continues

Hong Kong Monday extended a ban on tour groups travelling to Bangkok as serious flooding continued to threaten the Thai capital.

Travel industry officials in Hong Kong last week halted all tours to Bangkok until November 1, leading to the immediate cancellation of around 50 tours carrying 1,500 people.

The Travel Industry Council Monday extended the ban until November 8, leading to the scrapping of 30 planned tours carrying a further 800 visitors.

"We are having frequent dialogue with the government to see whether or not they are going to lower the travel warning for Bangkok," the council’s executive director Joseph Tung said.

The Hong Kong government currently has in effect a red travel warning for Bangkok, meaning travellers should avoid all non-essential travel to the city.

Hong Kong is a two-and-a-half hour flight from Bangkok and is one of its biggest source markets for tourism, particularly for weekend and short-stay visitors

-- The Nation 2011-10-31

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Kaset intersection at 1:20pm [see picture] pic.twitter.com/Snu6HTlu ~ @js100radio

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2.11pm Water level rose at Bang Plad junction more 10cm after its reduction this morning yfrog.com/h0uy6lxj ~ @Voice_TV

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Hong Kong Extends Tourism Ban on Thailand

The Hong Kong Travel Industry Council has extended its tourism ban on Thailand until 8 November. The council’s executive director Joseph Tung is in dialogue with Thai Government on whether to lower travel warning.

Last week Hong Kong halted all tours to Bangkok until 1 November, causing an immediate cancellation of up to 50 tours and affecting over 1,500 tourists.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-31

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2:34pm All area of Lotus Lak Si's parking inundated by 20-30cm http://twitpic.com/78nkco ~ @Rawangpai

2:20pm in front of Central general hospital at Sapan Mai, 70cm high.~@Reporter_js4 http://bit.ly/vE5Zwl /RT @Tulip_Oum:

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Hua Lamphong: 2 more trains added for Chiang Mai route, 5 trains head south via Nakhon Pathom /@nnanews /RT @veen_NT: RT @RichardBarrow:

From 6pm today Southern Bus Station, Borom Rd. will temporarily operate at Holland Beer House, Rama II ~ @SpringNews_TV

Southern Bus Terminal on Borom Ratchani moving to Holland Beer House Rama II -

Map: http://bit.ly/uQ4iQd

/RT @RichardBarrow:

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From Oct 31, Siriraj hospital will admit only emergency patients. More info ☎024197319-20, 024197599 ~ @ThaiPBS #thaifloodeng

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2.53pm PEA expected to provide electricity in Rojana Industrial Park by November 1st ~ @thaiflood #thaifloodeng

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Army relocates APCs from 11th Infantry Regiment to Phetchaburi

Armoured personnel carriers of the 11th Infantry Regiment in Bang Khen were Monday moved to an Army base in Phechaburi ahead of imminent flooding.

Defence Minister Gen Yutthasak Sasiprapha said the APCs were relocated after the floodwater in Bang Khen was rising.

All APCs of two battalions in the regiment were gradually moved out starting at noon Monday, Yutthasak said.

-- The Nation 2011-10-31

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2.59pm Traffic blocked on Borom Rd. by high flood ~ @thaiflood

2:59pm Water level at the Domestic Terminal of DM Airport is now over 1m http://bit.ly/tmLCcx ~ @democratTH #thaifloodeng

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Water begins receding in Ayutthaya, normalcy to return in a month

AYUTTHAYA, 31 October 2011 (NNT) – The flood level within Ayutthaya province is on the decline, prompting authorities to begin draining water out of the old city. The overall situation is expected to return to normal within one month’s time.

Improvements have been reported in the flood situation within Ayutthaya with decreases in flood levels of between 10-50 centimeters in Tha Ruea, Nakhon Luang, Bang Pahan, Ban Phraek and Maha Rat districts and between 1-5 centimeters in Bang Ban, Phak Hai, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Bang Pa-in and Bang Sai.

Upon the declining water levels in the Chao Phraya and the Pa Sak Rivers, Ayutthaya Mayor Somsong Sappakosonlakul has instructed related officials to hastily siphon the floodwater out of the ancient city area of Ko Mueang. Ruptures on the flood barrier along Mahachai Canal have been blocked while nine large water pumping machines have been installed with a total capacity to discharge up to 1,000 cubic meters of water into the river per hour.

It is expected that roads will be reopened to traffic within the next ten days and normalcy will be restored in Ayutthaya within one month. Even though five industrial estates are still submerged, the authorities are waiting for the water to recede further before carrying out a recovery mission.

-- NNT 2011-10-31

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“@Aimee_DPM: emergency shelter for foreigners set up @ Bangna Commercial College by Udomsuk BTS email: thaiivcorps [at] gmail.com

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Boats found in Energy Ministry are solely for public donation

BANGKOK, 31 October 2011 (NNT) – Energy Ministry's spokesperson claimed the boats found in the ministry would be distributed to the people, however, the steel boats needed to be returned to the donors to save users from electrical shock.

According to Mr Patchara Naripthaphan, the Energy Ministry's spokesperson, the boats in the Ministry of Energy belong to the ministry and other organizations under the ministry. They are being managed and distributed by the officials to ensure the efficient donation system. So far, more than 1,000 boats have been donated to the flood victims in 7 provinces and other 333 boats have been donated though the Flood Relief Operation Center (FROC).

He added that the ministry's name sign attached on the side of the boats are for making sure that the donated boats would be used for the community's benefits and not for personal purpose since they were large boats. Nevertheless, the ministry has to return the steel boats to the donors since iron is the conductor which might pose risk of electrical shock to the users.

Mr Patchara confirmed that the donation items sent to the ministry would not be destroyed like the ones in the FROC, Don Muang Airport. He claims that the Energy Ministry only brings the donation items to the flood victims, but it does not act as a receiver. Moreover, today more than 100 boats will be distributed, leaving about 10 boats which the nearby communities which the officials can use in cases of floods.

-- NNT 2011-10-31

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3:03pm RT @JayfromBKK: Khlong Phra Khanong back to normal at the market pier near Sukhumvit Road bridge /RT @RichardBarrow:

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Situation in Saen Saeb Canal is still not worrying

BANGKOK, 31 October 2011 (NNT) – Ferry boat service is being provided normally in Saen Saeb Canal as the water level is still not worrying and lower than the canal’s banks.

The report today stated that at present ferry boats in Khlong Saen Saeb are normally operating between Wat Sri Boon Ruang and Pratu Nam. However, it is advisable for commuters to check the news intermittently.

At Wat Sri Boon Ruang pier, the water is still lower than the bank’s level. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has built a footpath along the canal. Similar footpaths are also built along the piers behind The Mall Bang Kapi and The Mall Ramkhamhaeng department stores. The water level in the canals in those areas is still lower than the bank’s level.

-- NNT 2011-10-31

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3:13pm Prodprasob declared there still more 8 billion cub.m. of water from north which will flow to east & west ~ @news1005fm

Commerce Ministry imports 2mil bottles of drinking water from provinces to sell in BKK retail stores today; 3.2 million eggs imported /MCOT

Chulalongkorn hospital's service for OPD & special clinic now open as normal, emergency operation cases from Nov 1 ~ @ThaiPBS

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DDPM: 26 provinces including BKK hit by floods, 381 deaths

BANGKOK, 31 October 2011 (NNT) - According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), there have been 26 provinces which are affected by floods including Bangkok, Nakhon Sawan, Lop Buri, Suphan Buri and Uthai Thani whereas Sukhothai and Kamphaeng Phet have been dry already. Up to 2.4 million people from 7.2 million households have been affected while the death toll has soared to 381.

Today, the DDPM has listed 26 flood-affected provinces as

1) Phichit

2) Phitsanulok

3) Nakhon Sawan

4) Utai Thani

5) Chai Nat

6) Sing Buri

7) Ang Thong

8) Ayutthaya

9) Lop Buri

10) Saraburi

11) Suphan Bur

12) Nakhon Pathom

13) Pathum Thani

14) Nonthaburi

15) Samut Sakhon

16) Bangkok

17) Ubon Ratchathani

18) Khon Kaen

19) Si Sa Ket

20) Surin

21) Roi Et

22) Maha Sarakham

23) Kalasin

24) Chachoengsao

25) Nakhon Nayok

26) Prachin Buri

In these provinces, 2,428,907 people living in 724,364 households in 152 districts and 1,145 sub-districts are affected by floods. Moreover, the death toll has soared to 381 so far.

-- NNT 2011-10-31

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@USEmbassyBKK: USAID delivers more supplies 2 assist flood victims -including boats, marine engines, pumps, & water purifiers. http://tinyurl.com/3tysus8

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PM: Post-flood rehabilitation could take 3 months at earliest

Follow this link:

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3:20pm all Tollway outbound exits are temporarily closed, except for Changwattana that allow only big vehicles.~@js100radio /RT @Tulip_Oum

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7 Southern Provinces are at Risk of Flooding

Thailand’s Southeast Meteorological Department warns 7 southern provinces that they are at risk of flooding from widespread thunderstorms.

The seven provinces under the alert for flooding are Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phattalung, Songkla, Pattani, Yala, and Naratiwat. Heavy to moderate rain showers are expected throughout the region and residents are told to take caution against strong storms and flashfloods from 31 October to the 2nd of November.

Waves on southern east coast of Thailand along the Gulf of Thailand are reported to be at 1-2 meters high. Areas seeing thunderstorms are expected to reach 2-3 meters. Fishing boats are told to take caution when at sea.

Meanwhile there has been concern of flooding along the Klong Saan Daeng, a large water canal at Mae Khari of Tamot, Pattalung province. Should the canal overflow, over 9 mubaans or neighborhoods are expected to be flooded. Three neighborhoods in the high risk areas are Baan Daan Lod, BaTuenRieng, and Baan Duan Baab. Residents fear the flooding will be more severe this year compared to last year where water levels reached 2 meters at certain areas. They have requested boats from the government and stocked up on necessities.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-31

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PM announces "suggest" market prices for drinking water: ฿7 for 600cc, ฿9 for 750cc and ฿14 for 1,500cc.~ /@LyNGinG /RT @Tulip_Oum

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Three injured in Yala explosion

Three police officers were injured in the latest bomb ambush in Yala's Bannang Sata district on Monday.

Two sergeants, Ruengrit Thongtip and Nares Tipsala and Police Senior Sgt Maj Sunya Jitlerm, suffered shrapnel wounds from the explosion and were rushed to Bannang Sata Hospital.

Sunya was more seriously injured and later transferred to Yala Hospital.

The initial police investigation showed that police had been riding in an official pick up on Pawang-Bannang Sata road when an explosive hidden by insurgents under sacks near an electricity pole on the roadside went off.

The blast also damaged the pick-up and a nearby truck.

Police found a hole caused by the impact of the explosion as well as some wires, shrapnel and other items believed to be parts of the explosive on the road.

-- The Nation 2011-10-31

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Chalerm's house in Thon Buri will not escape flooding: Plodprasob

The house of Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung on the Thon Buri side of Bangkok will not escape flooding, Science Minister Plodprasob Surassawadee said Monday.

Plodprasob said Thon Buri would be severely hit by flooding as floodwaters from Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani would flow overland to inundate about 80 to 90 per cent of the area of Thon Buri side.

He said the floodwaters would meet no barriers on the Thon Buri side so the waters would affect vast areas before flowing to Samut Sakhon and Nakhon Pathom.

"The situation on the Thon Buri side will be severe. The flooding will be widespread and nearly all or 80 to 90 per cent of the area will be flooded. Even the house of Chalerm will be visited by the floodwater more or less," Plodprasob said.

-- The Nation 2011-10-31

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Six more districts told to evacuate

The Bangkok authorities on Monday asked people in six Bangkok districts to evacuate, as the water run-off from the north started to seep towards the inner areas.

The evacuation order was issued as areas along the Chao Phraya River experienced high tide.

The six districts are Don Mueang, Laksi, Bang Phlat, Sai Mai, Thawee Watthana and Taling Chan.

Residents in 13 districts bordering the Chao Phraya River were also on alert Monday for another day of high tides.

Residents in seven additional districts - Bang Khen, Lat Phrao, Wang Thong Lang, Khan Na Yao, Nong Chok, Min Buri and Lat Krabang - must be vigilant and monitor the incoming northern run-off.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra remains confident that the floodwater will not reach the inner part of the city, saying some parts of the capital were seeing more water than others due to breached dykes, which are being repaired.

Latest reports say the northern run-off is flowing toward the inner city reaching Laksi intersection on Vibhavadi Road. On Phaholyothin Road, it is nearing Bang Khen roundabout while floodwater in front of Kasetsart University is flowing slowly to Kasetsart intersection.

On Chaeng Wattana Road, floodwater is rising as Klong Prem Prachakorn and Klong Prapa overflow into nearby residential areas.

More northern run-off is flowing into Klong Prem Prachakorn, posing a flood threat which could extend to the Lat Phrao intersection via Vibhavadi Road

-- The Nation 2011-10-31

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Price control on 9 essential goods

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation

The Commerce Ministry has put control on the prices of 9 essential goods, including drinking water and rubber boots.

Enforcing the Goods and Service Prince Control Act, the ministry sets the price ceilings for bottled drinking water at Bt7 (600cc), Bt9 (750cc); sand bag (25 kg) at Bt45; brick at Bt10; life jacket at Bt450, fibre boat at Bt4,500 (2-seat) and Bt6,500 (4-seat); rubber boot at Bt200; plastic tank at Bt350 (22 gallon) and Bt600 (40 gallon); rash-controlling medicine at Bt90 per tube; and water pump at Bt4,500.

Deputy Commerce Minister Poom Sarapol said that the stringent measures will help protect consumers from unfair trade practices, as the ministry has received a large number of complaints over excessing pricing.

The ministry last week won the Cabinet’s approval for the importing of 3 million eggs, canned food and drinking water to ease the shortages.

Poom said that about 3.2 million eggs from Malaysia will reach Thailand on November 3. It would be sold at no more than Bt4 each.

The ministry will also sell rice at Bt100 per 5-kg bag. Next week, about 1 million packs will reach supermarkets and large retail outlets in flooded provinces.

-- The Nation 2011-10-31

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@USEmbassyBKK: Starting 1 November 2011, the U.S. Embassy Visa Section will resume Non-Immigrant and Immigrant Visa appointments.... http://fb.me/JBCqJl5R