Thailand Live Monday 31 Oct 2011

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"New Thailand" not official title: PM

A committee has been set up to draw the water management plan, said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

She said that the actual investment budget would be announced later after the committee completes the study on the long-term management plan. Initially a Bt80 billion sum is allocated to help rehabilitate the SME business sector, farmers and individuals.

Meanwhile, she added that the management project has not yet been named. "New Thailand" is just a temporary title.

Energy Minister Pichai Naripthaphan on Sunday named the project "New Thailand", while unveiling that the government plans to spend upto Bt900 billion for short to long-term solutions.

-- The Nation 2011-10-31

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PM approves raising Klong Sam Wa sluice gate to one metre after local protest.

BANGKOK, Oct 31 – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra gave her approval to raise the Klong Sam Wa sluice gate to one metre as requested by Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), which gave assurances that this level would not negatively impact the Bang Chan industrial estate downstream.

Angry local residents gathered at the sluice gate on Monday, demanding that it be raised to one metre from the present 0.80 metres to relieve flooding problems around their homes. The conflict escalated to the point that the residents blocked traffic on a nearby road and skirmished with the authorities.

The 0.20 metre lift will allow more floodwater to pass through. The prime minister later agreed to the BMA’s request, after determining that it would not negatively affect the Bang Chan industrial estate.

Officials were sent to explain to local residents, who were mainly satisfied with the solution, and they dispersed. But some are remained, adamant that they would keep a close watch on the water gate to ensure it would not be lowered below the one metre level.

The prime minister assessed the overall situation that if the dykes are under control in the next few days, the water levels will be stable and will later drop after the high tide period due pass today. Then water in Bangkok’s canals can be drained out.

The Flood Relief Operations Centre (FROC), the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Royal Irrigation Department are cooperating to prevent the dykes being breached by waterflows or being dismantled by local residents in an attempt to prevent the floodwaters from spreading into wider areas in the capital, while the authorities are gearing up to direct the water through the canal network into the sea. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-10-31

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The BMA has ordered evacuation in Bang Phai Subdistrict of Bang Khae District as floods are expected to hit the area tomorrow/TAN_Network

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3 water pumps provided in case flood hits Lat Phrao

AYUTTHAYA, 31 October 2011 (NNT) – The Director of Lat Phrao district said that now the flood situation is being closely monitored. Three water pumps are already prepared so that the water can be pumped out if the flood actually comes.

Mr Bapit Saengkaew, the director of Lat Phrao district said that the situation in Lat Phrao district needs to be fully aware since the area is at risk of flooding. The preparation includes repairing flood dikes to make them ready for the flood, and 3 water pumps are in use to pump the water out.

However, if the flood situation reaches the critical point, evacuation needs to be hurriedly proceeded. There are 6 schools available for the flood victims to use as shelters namely Wat Lat-Phrao school, Wat Lat Pla Khao school, Thep Witthaya school, Khlong Song Krathiam school, Petch Thanom school, and Loi Sai Anuson school. Other two schools are being asked to join the program. Those who intend to evacuate to othe provinces will be informed to get prepared accordingly.

-- NNT 2011-10-31

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"@Biz_TheNation: Floods to cut Thai exports growth this year by 0.5%,according to the Thai Chamber of Commerce"/via@ASEAN_NEWS

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The consensus from the experts on TV tonight seems to be that things are unlikely to get dramatically worse./via@terryfrd

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Fuel tariff maintained

The Nation

The Energy Regulatory Commission on Monday resolved to maintain the fuel tariff for the January-April round, in light of floods which sparked demand and increased cost of living.

Meanwhile, the commission also resolved that free electricity for households will also be cut from 90 units per month to 50 units. This would help reduce the financial burden on industrial plants which now shoulder the cost, amounting to Bt12 billion a year.

"Many households suffer from floods and the fuel tariffs should not be increased to raise their burden," said commissioner Boonsong Kerdklang. He noted that the fuel tariffs for the next four-month round should actually be raised by 20 satang per unit, to reflect the higher fuel costs.

-- The Nation 2011-10-31

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PM has put Chalerm in charge of public/property safety and traffic. ( @can_nw ) >sounds like his original job description to b honest./via@tulsathit

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Flood water might cross Petchkasem rd to Nongkham district tonight or tomorrow.~@bangkokgovernor/via@Tulip_Oum

Interesting to see PT BKK MPs Wicharn & Jirayu trying to deal w. Khlong Sam Wa protestors. Not nearly as much fun as a campaign rally/via@terryfrd

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Recruitment center opened in Ayutthaya by Amata Corp. 20,000 vacancies on offer

BANGKOK, 31 October 2011 (NNT) – Due to the flood crisis which has hit a lot of industrial factories in central Thailand, Mr Viboon Kromadit, Director & COO of Amata Corp. PCL, in coopeeration with the Department of Employment, has opened a recruitment center in Ayutthaya province to assist the flood-affected workers who are still umemployed during the flooding period.

Moreover, Amata Nakorn Chon Buri and Amata City Rayong are ready to offer approximately 20,000 positions to serve the growth of the old factories' production lines and the expansion of about 80 newly-established factories owned by incoming investors.

The flood has greatly affected the people and the economy, especially in the seriously damaged industrial estates. However, it is believed that foreign investors can understand the incident and expect to see the resolution plans from the governmemt, hoping that losses and damages will be redeemed as soon as possible. So far, investors have thought that relevant agencies are rolling out the rehabilitation measures constantly.

-- NNT 2011-10-31

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RT @Kaypobird: Chalerm is so quiet for the past few week,so PM wants to remind him of his original job!555/via@tulsathit

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Singaporean recovers in Phuket after crash kills friend

Charlene Jade Tay, who died in the accident, poses with her BMW motorbike earlier this year. Photo: Facebook

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/509266-singaporean-recovers-in-phuket-after-crash-kills-friend/page__view__findpost__p__4811571

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Some asking why parts of UK Embassy BKK not providing full service. We are running a 24/7 flood team so priority for that roster for now/via@AsifAAhmad

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Ministers from China,Thailand, Myanmar and Laos agreed to join forces in tightening security along the Mekong river/via@ASEAN_NEWSROOM

Sri Lanka on Monday warned its citizens to avoid visiting Thailand because of the widespread flooding/via@ASEAN_NEWSROOM

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Ratchaphruek from Baromratchanoni towards Phetkasem is still fine. The divided lower road on Barom is acting a dam./@gthomasfcasia

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Thailand Live Tuesday 1 Nov 2011

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