Thailand Live Tuesday 1 Nov 2011

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9am Bangplee-Suksawat expressway, Bangna inbound from Bangkhuntien Km.13+100. 13 cars crash. Expressway closed temporarily.~@fm91trafficpro /via@Tulip_Oum

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RT @Tulip_Oum: 9:30am 40cm water at Kaset intersection (Kaset univ-Vipawadee hosp).~@LyNGinG http://twitpic.com/794qbp

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RT @Tulip_Oum: 9:20am PM orders Airforce to co-op with Irrigation dpt to pump water out of Don Muang runway by Fri.~@Neaw_NBC

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Cabinet returns to hold weekly meeting at Government House, discussing flood tackling, rehabilitation measures /MCOT

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Floodwater approaching Major Ratchayothin

As of Tuesday morning, The Kasetsart-Paholyothin Intersection has been inundated by floodwater. And the water is seen rising toward the road in front of Major Ratchayothin Intersection.

The Kasetsar-Paholyothin Intersection is about 40 centimetres to 50 cm under water but the underpass at the intersection is still passable as of Tuesday morning.

The road from Kasetsart Intersection to Bang Bua bridge is about 40 to 50 cm under water.

-- The Nation 2011-11-01

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RT @KristieKenney: Team fm @USEmbassyBKK on the road am survey of BKK RT @ACSBKK: Pra Pa Canal this morning eastward w 1m water. http://twitpic.com/794dku

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 971.97, down 2.78 points /MCOT

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All Bangkok districts to be flooded if Klong Sam Wa's sluice gate further opened: deputy governor

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MAKRO Relocates Head Office to Chonburi Store Temporarily and Confirms All Stores Remain Open

As the Greater Bangkok areas are expected to be impacted by flood waters, Siam Makro Public Company Limited, is relocating its Head Office in flood-prone Bangkapi district to the Makro Chonburi store temporarily until the current severe flooding has receded.

The measure is to ensure the continuity of business plan and reinforce logistics in response to a rising demand of goods beyond normalcy. The new temporary head office will be close to its distribution centres. Makro has adopted a proactive approach to maximum employee safety and effective sustainable operations in the face of the worst flooding in 50 years.

Ms. Pariyanuch Na Taguatung, Marketing Director of Siam Makro Public Company Limited, said: "The relocation to Makro Chonburi will not only assure operations continuity but also offer a safer environment for employees, our most valuable resources.

Facing flood threats, people at large as well as flood victims are in need of a huge amount of consumer and consumption goods. Makro is geared to meet all such demands and effectively distribute goods to every area, in particular flood-ravaged vicinities. All Makro stores shall remain open and maintain competitive selling prices," added Ms.Pariyanuch

Suppliers and business alliances can contact MAKRO Head Office in Chonburi at 55/3 Moo 2 Sukhumvit Road, Samet, Muang, Chonburi 20000 on 0 3827 9201-10, or Makro Call Centre on 0 2351 8888 during 0600-2300 hours, or visit www.siammakro.co.th

-- The Nation 2011-11-01

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Trucks Allowed on Expressway Anytime During Flooding

The Expressway Authority of Thailand permits six-wheeled and ten-wheeled trucks to use the expressway at anytime until further notice.

Acting Governor for the Expressway Authority of Thailand or EXAT, Montien Kulthamrong, said that the EXAT is permitting six and ten-wheeled trucks to use the expressway anytime so that they are able to transport products to flooded areas in the Central region and Bangkok and relieve product shortages during the flooding.

These large trucks are usually banned from the expressway during morning and evening rush hours.

However, weight and other truck regulations remain in place from now until further notice.

Meanwhile, the EXAT has asked that car owners not park their cars on the expressway in order to avoid accidents and crime, and to keep the transport routes for equipment and goods open.

The expressway is monitored by surveillance cameras and parked cars will be towed.

Motorists can contact the EXAT call center at 1543 around the clock for information about where they can park their cars for free.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-01

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BKK's Loy Krathong Festival 2011 Cancelled due to Severe Flood

The Tourism Authority of Thailand announces that it has canceled the Loy Krathong festival in Bangkok and along the Chao Praya River.

It will use the budget of ten million baht, slated for the event, to promote tourism in Thailand after the flood situation improves.

Tourism Authority of Thailand, or TAT, Deputy Governor Wilaiwan Tawitsri said that the TAT has to cancel all activities coinciding with the Loy Krathong festival in Bangkok and along the banks of the Chao Praya River because of the current flooding.

The ten million baht budget slated for the event will be used to promote tourism after the flood crisis improves instead.

Loy Krathong is celebrated on November 10 this year.

With the cancellation of the event, operators of 30 riverboat dinner cruises are expected to lose over 56 million baht in revenue from the Loy Krathong festivities.

The Riverside Hotel has reported that its room reservation for the event is at zero right now, whereas it is usually at 75 percent every year.

The hotel has suspended its daily dinner cruise until the flood situation improves.

The Riverside Hotel's executives are preparing to meet with Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silapaarcha to discuss tourism policies and ask the government to provide loans to businesses in the tourism industry at a low interest rate after the flooding is resolved.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-01

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Goods Shortage Addressed

The commerce minister affirms that there will now be adequate supply of consumer goods to meet demand.

A total of three distribution centers have been opened in Chonburi Province to provide necessities which have seen a shortage.

Commerce Minister Kittirat Na Ranong said consumer products, which have seen a shortage, such as rice, pork, chicken, drinking water, and milk powder, will now see sufficient supplies. The shortage of these products have been caused by people overstocking on goods during the flood, manufacturers having to close down because of flooding and logistics being disrupted by submerged roads.

A total of three distribution centers were opened in Chonburi Province yesterday.

These centers should replace flooded distribution centers in Ayutthaya.

The minister noted that he has received reports of how eggs are now sold at an exorbitant price of eight baht a piece each and has asked consumers to report such overpricing to the Internal Trade Department.

Retailers have also resorted to importing products from abroad to alleviate the shortage and they should be available on shelves by next week.

The imported products will be sold at a higher price than domestically-produced products but the import would cease once domestic manufacturers can resume production.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-01

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BKK Bus Routes Adjusted to Avoid Flooded Areas

The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority is insisting that it will not suspend the public bus service, even if transportation on many roads has been obstructed by flooding.

Public bus driver Prasert Chathongchai, driving bus number 32 from Pho Temple to Pakkred District in Nonthaburi, said the routes are changing everyday, depending on the water levels.

The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority or BMTA is working closely with the traffic police to avoid submerged roads.

Over the past three days, the floodwater levels in Bangkok and neighboring provinces have increased drastically due to the rising sea tide.

Because of fear of encountering flood waters, the number of passengers on public buses has dropped.

Passengers have also complained about having to wait longer for buses.

The BMTA insisted that it has no plans to suspend any public bus service during the inundation.

However, it may be forced to find alternate routes to avoid roads that have been reeling under flood water until the situation eases.

Buses will not enter roads submerged under more than 50 centimeters of flooding.

For more information, passengers can check out BMTA routes at www.bmta.co.th or call its hotline at 184.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-01

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CAT Admits to Problems with Telephone Network During Flood

CAT Telecom says its land telephone network has experienced problems because of the flooding but that its mobile phone network will not be affected as long as no blackouts occur.

CAT Telecom President Jirayut Rungsrithong said landline telephone networks in flood-affected areas have been down but mobile phone networks and the wireless internet network are still up and running as long as electricity is not cut.

He assured that as soon as flood waters recede, CAT mechanics will work in the area to fix the landline network and resume service.

Meanwhile, Petcharat Uthaisarng, Marketing Manager of McThai, the operator of McDonald's, said 14 branches in flooded areas have been closed but she assured that the chain will not be increasing its prices and is not facing a shortage of ingredients as its warehouse is located in Samut Prakarn.

She said the company prepared for flooding by expanding its warehouses to Rama II Road, Chonburi and Chiang Mai in case flooding occurs in Samut Prakarn.

To help with the flooding situation, McDonalds has teamed up with CAT Telecom to provide free wireless internet service at all McDonald's branches until the end of November.

If the flood situation does not improve by then, this free service may be extended.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-01

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Passport issuance service at Chaeng Wattana, Central Pinklao, Nakhon Sawan suspended

The Consular Department announced Tuesday that it has suspended passport issuance services at its office at Chaeng Wattana, Central Pinklao and in Nakhon Sawan due to flooding.

The people could receive passport issuance service at Central Bang Na and consular offices in 11 other provinces, the department announced.

-- The Nation 2011-11-01

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Chuwit Criticises Thai Govt's Failure In Tackling The Country's Massive Flooding

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6 MRT Stations Under Flood Watch

A flood watch has been ordered for six MRT underground stations that risk being flooded, with Bang Sue Station at the highest risk.

All services remain open with precautions in place.

Chaiwat Uthaiwan, Managing Director of Bangkok Metro Public Company Limited, which operates all underground rail systems, said the company is keeping a close watch on six stations.

The Bang Sue station remains at highest risk because it is just 500 meters from the Prapa and Prem Prachakorn canals.

He added that other stations such as Kamphaengphet, Chatuchak, Phaholyothin Lad Prao and Petchaburi, stations are also close to canals as well.

However, there is no imminent risk, as the canal levels are still stable.

Chaiwat said all MRT services remain operating as usual.

To give commuters peace of mind, the company assigned officials who work in coordination with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to monitor canal levels near MRT stations every fifteen minutes.

As a precaution, the BMCL has also set up 1.5-meter-high flood barricades made of steel sheets at the entrances of all risk-prone stations.

Chaiwat said that in the worst-case scenario, should floodwaters rapidly enter the stations, all services will be suspended and passengers will be evacuated from the trains within a half an hour.

In the event of a power outage, passengers can still be immediately evacuated from the trains even though they are not parked at stations.

He gave assurances that no commuters would be left stranded.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-01

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'Mob Rule' Threatens Inner Bangkok With Floods, Governor Warns

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Bkk Gov: Bang Pai, Bang Kae told to evacuate while Bang Chan, Klong Sam Wa added to watchlist after opening Sam Wa floodgate /TANN

Bkk Gov: We were 'ordered' to open Sam Wa Canal floodgate, putting several areas at risk./TANN

RT @suthichai: BKK Governor declares "Bangchan Industrial Estate" as "danger zone" now that PM had ordered him to open Samwa water barrier

Bkk Gov: Inability to close floodgates due to protest puts industrial estates in Bang Chan and Lad Krabang at risk. /TANN

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Bkk gov: Serious concern abt west Bkk due to poor drainage capacity, need more water pumps. /TANN

Bkk Gov: flood in east Bkk could be managed but govt must be strong in its resolve to carry out flood management plans. /TANN

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State Railway Halts Service in Western BKK

The State Railway of Thailand halts service in some parts of Bangkok due to the rising flood water levels.

State Railway of Thailand Governor Yutthana Thapchareon revealed that the state railway has decided to stop service in flooded areas, especially in western Bangkok, adding that flood levels along the rail tracks from Bang Sue to Bang Bumru stations and Salaya to Ngew Lai Temple stations are at 51 centimeters.

He revealed that the service being offered to passengers include only five routes to the South.

The governor said the platform for the southern line has been relocated to Nakhon Pathom station.

For those who live in Bangkok and want to travel to the South, the governor said shuttle bus service will be provided to take them from Hua Lumphong and Thonburi stations to Nakhon Pathom station.

Regarding the northern line, the governor added the state railway has resumed the Bangkok-Chiang Mai route.

The service is available everyday and departs from Bangkok to Chiang Mai at 6.10 P.M. and leaves from Chiang Mai to Bangkok at 5.55 P.M.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-01

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RT @TAN_Network: RT @jamiemonk: Anyone needing BKK flood info, try following @RichardBarrow or @georgebkk or @tulsathit or @TAN_Network ...

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RT @tulsathit: New tension rising btw FROC and BMA today...

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FROC Braces for Flooding During Next High-tide Period

The Flood Relief Operations Center says the amount of water from the north continues to decrease while officials continue to mend breaches in the flood barriers to prepare for the upcoming high-tide periods.

Colonel Palangkul Klaharn, spokesman for the Flood Relief Operations Center, said the amount of water from the north continues to decline and the Royal Irrigation Department will reduce the flow rate through the sluice gates at the Chao Phraya Dam and in other areas by ten percent during the next five days.

He added that this will help ease flooding in eastern Bangkok and in the Chao Phraya and Tha Chin river basins during the low-tide period between November 3 to 15.

The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry will be inspecting for cracks along the flood walls built at the Chao Phraya River's western embankment.

Palangkul expressed confidence that the FROC can cope with the flood situation during future high tides more effectively.

He stated that the center will continue to syphon water from other canals into the Saen Saeb Canal to get them into the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's water drainage system.

Meanwhile, officials are building a three-meter-high flood barrier along the 3.5 kilometer stretch from the southern side of Prem Prachakorn Canal to the Lak Hok area to prevent polluted flood water from Muang Ake from spilling into the Prapa Canal.

The work is expected to be complete on Thursday.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-01

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RT @tulsathit: Bkk governor's calls for a firm stand in dealing with east Bkk reflect obvious conflict over opening of key floodgate.

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Bkk Governor Press Con on Nov 1, 11.40 AM

The Bangkok governor expressed grave concern for flooding situation in west of Bangkok due to the poor drainage capacity for the areas west of the Chao Phraya River. He added the government must be strong in its resolve in order to effectively manage the flood crisis for east Bangkok.

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Disaster Prevention Dept: 26 provinces (1,132 districts, 8,319 tambons) are still flooded. 2.1 million people (718,607 families) are hard-hit. Death toll at 384

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RT @terryfrd: BKK gov wants Klong Sam Wa sluice gate at 80cm, not 1m, since govt unsuccessful in getting residents near Khlongs 8 & 9 to limit flow there

RT @terryfrd: Water has reached Thai PBS on Vibhavadi. Officials there do not expect any disruption in services.

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November 1st - High tide time 12:30pm (2.48m MSL) and 8:34pm (2.28m MSL). Low tide time 4:09pm (2.22m MSL) ~ @js100radio

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SET index flat at midday Tue 975.23, up 0.48pt, 0.05% @Biz_TheNation