Thailand Live Tuesday 1 Nov 2011

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Dtac resumes normal operation in upper Central region

The Nation

Total Access Communication Plc (Dtac) has fully restored its network in the upper Central region, with plans to regain the network in Ayutthaya next week.

"Dtac's network in the upper central region of Thailand is now back to normal, with network in Nakhon Sawan and Lop Buri provinces regaining its full service. We also expect that our network in Ayutthaya province will return to normal stage within next week when power supply in the entire province is connected," said Wansit Saiyawan, senior vice president, head of Corporate Communications.

In the meantime, Dtac is closely monitoring the areas currently suffering heavy flood in Bangkok and its surrounding provinces including Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi and Nakhon Pathom. The company is confident that its services in these areas are still fully operational as long as power supply is still available.

"Mostly our network facilities are equipped with backup power supply system. However, in case the power supply is cut for a long period of time, the backup power supply can be used up. We then need to closely follow the situation in the areas with risk so that contingency plan can be implemented in a timely manner. At a crucial time like this, our first priority is to offer the best service to customers, in order to keep them connected with friends and family and stay safe," added Wansit.

Contact Dtac Call Centre 1678 for inquiry or assistance.

-- The Nation 2011-11-01

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Animal need temporary shelter, call dpt of livestock 02 6534444 ext 4161-3 during office hour only. @Tulip_Oum

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Water behind Klong Sam Wa sluice gate not lessened after been opened for 1m,northern tide made it rise up more 50cm~ @Voice_TV #thaifloodeng

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5:22pm Train still running in Don Muang despite its submerged tracks http://twitpic.com/799tdo ~ @fm91trafficpro

Expensive Don Muang grounding, give it a meter or so more and these big birds may even float away http://yfrog.com/nz7d6aj @BangkokDan

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Egat restarts Wang Noi power plant

The Nation

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand has restarted the 686-megawatt power plant in Wang Noi, Ayutthaya.

The plant was suspended from operations early October when the area was engulfed by high tide.

Egat Governor Sutas Patamasiriwat also said that the North Bangkok Power Plant, located in Nonthaburi, to date remains operational as usual.

Egat has also released lower volume of water from Bhumibhol and Sirikit dams. On Oct 31, it released 47.46 million cubic metres a day from the two dams.

-- The Nation 2011-11-01

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5:36pm Chulalongkorn University postpones International Thai - Portugal seminar on November 2-4 indefinitely ~ @pongberry

Disease Control Dept warns of electrocution during flooding, stating more than 50 people have died from such cause /TANN

BKK governor inspects flood situation in Samphanthawong District (Chinatown); says permanent dikes must be built /TANN

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Bt200 bln in compensation to be paid out to flooded businesses and Bt17 bln to flooded homes from insurance firms /TANN

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Shanghai Tourists Cancel Trips to Flooded Thai Provinces

Shanghai has ordered travel agencies to halt tours to Bangkok and other flooded areas during the inundation.

The floods are expected to cause Thailand to loose over 1 million tourists this year.

The Shanghai tourism department has issued an urgent notice to the travel agencies telling them to stop making visits to Bangkok and other affected areas in Thailand until the flood situation improves.

The department has also warned the Shanghai tourists who are traveling in Thailand at the moment to be aware of their own safety.

Previously, the Chinese government issued a warning to its citizens asking them to reconsider visiting Thailand during the floods.

However, Shanghai has ordered its citizens not to travel to Thailand.

According to a Shanghai travel agency, many group tours from Shanghai to Thailand will be cancelled until mid- November or until the flood crisis improves.

From October 17 through October 27, the number of tourists from Pudong Shanghai Airport has declined by nearly 3,000 from the same period last year, or about 36.7 percent, due to the floods.

However, a total of 767 Shanghai tourists in 39 tour groups are traveling in Thailand at this time.

The travel agencies have reorganized their travel plans to avoid the affected areas.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-01

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Cabinet Forms Flood Emergency Panel

The Cabinet has appointed Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung to oversee traffic and security during the current flooding situation and the national police force has been mobilized to assist the flood victims.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung announced after the Cabinet meeting today that he has been appointed to head the committee that will oversee traffic and security during current flooding disaster.

Chalerm pointed out that he has already ordered the police chief and related officials to prepare accordingly.

The deputy prime minister said that he will integrate all law enforcement authorities to support the committee’s operations.

Meanwhile, five percent of police forces from the provinces that were not affected by the floods will be reassigned to the committee.

The deputy prime minister stressed that all police forces, including the Metropolitan Police, the Provincial Police, the Traffic Police and the Crime Suppression Division must work together.

Police will seek to regain the public's confidence by patrolling the flooded areas with long-tailed boats, speed boats, 4X4 sport utility vehicles and helicopters.

Meanwhile the Region 1 and 4 Border Patrol Police will be in charge of security along the Chao Phraya River.

Chalerm relented, saying that even though traffic routes in the country are not 100 percent in service, the police will do their best to ease traffic congestion by reclaiming some traffic lanes from parked vehicles.

At the same time, more police officers will be deployed to direct traffic.

Regarding the local disputes regarding the flood management, Chalerm said that he has advised all police officers not to use force against the frustrated citizens who may unwittingly try to destroy flood walls.

Instead, he has asked law enforcement officials to engage with them by negotiating.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-01

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400 Bang Khae Home elderly people evacuated

Four hundreds elderly people of Bangkok's Bang Khae Home for the Aged were evacuated to Rtachaburi Tuesday due to the threat of approaching floodwaters.

Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) director Opas Phetmunee said that the home had contacted his agency for transportation to the Saiyairak Haeng Krobkrua Project's Learning Center in Ratchaburi, hence two air-conditioned buses and one non-air-conditioned bus were sent to evacuate the elderly. The evacuation would take 2-3 days, as the elderly needed special care, he added.

-- The Nation 2011-11-01

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5:57pm Kasetsart University flooded by 20-80cm inside twitpic.com/79a64d ~ @Pacharapapon #thaifloodeng

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Bangchan, Khlong Sam Wa under close watch for possible flood: Governor

BANGKOK, Nov 1 – Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra on Tuesday announced that Bangchan subdistrict of Khlong Sam Wa district has become at risk of possible flooding due to northern run-off and needed to be closely monitored.

Currently, a mass of floodwater from neighbouring Pathum Thani province is flowing into Bangkok and is inundating the northern part of the capital, the governor said, adding that the Bangchan area is likely to be affected.

As a result, residents in the area are advised to move their belongings, vehicles and electrical appliances to higher ground.

Mr Sukhumbhand also advised some residents living in the zone under threat of severe flooding to evacuate to temporary shelters provided by Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) or other safer places.

The governor asked Bangkok residents to closely follow the situation updates and official flood-related announcements, and gave assurances that the BMA authorities will try their best and will cooperate with the government-run Flood Relief Operations Centre (FROC) to engage with the flood crisis and relieve flood victims.

Bangkok deputy governor Thirachon Manomaipiboon warned on Tuesday that all 50 districts in Bangkok are now at risk of inundation after Klong Sam Wa sluice gate was raised to a metre following a protest by angry villagers who demanded the lift to relieve flooding problems around their homes.

So far, the country’s worst flooding in decades has left 384 people dead and two persons missing, affecting over 2.1 million residents, according to the national Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department. Floods are continuing in 26 provinces.

Government spokeswoman Thitima Chaisaeng said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra told the cabinet today that if the flood-management plan is fully implemented, the crisis will likely ease after this week.

The prime minister urged all ministries to speedily prepare a rehabilitation plan with budget estimates in an effort to restore confidence among foreign investors, Ms Thitima said. The Interior Ministry was assigned to survey flood damage and provide basic assistance to flood victims. Initially, each families would receive Bt30,000 ($1,000).

The Industry Ministry was urgently tasked to revive seven submerged industrial estates and parks with all factories should be able to operate within 45 days once the floodwater is pumped out of the estates and parks.

All ministries have to submit their information on flood damage and impact directly to the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) in 24 hours and the NESDB will have three days to compile the information and forward it to the prime minister for final approval. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-11-01

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Bang Phai evacuated, Bang Chan on alert

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Tuesday ordered the evacuation of Bang Phai subdistrict as floodwater was quickly spreading there. Bang Phai is located in Bangkok's Bang Khae district.

Moreover, BMA ordered the Bang Chan subdistrict of Bangkok's Klong Sam Wa district as a surveillance area.

Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra yesterday admitted that he was worried about the capital's western zone.

Bang Khae and Thawi Watthana are among districts in the western zone. Locals there are already struggling hard with floods.

-- The Nation 2011-11-01

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RT @suthichai: Thaksin is back on Twitter: Urging Thais to turn crisis into opportunity.>talking to himself, i presume:-)/via@veen_NT

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Private sector's supports

This daily compilation shows supports from the private sector to flood victims in Thailand. Contact [email protected].

PTT Plc recently donated 4,400 water filters, which would be distributed by several organisations including Chaipattana Foundation, Thai Red Cross Society and Princess Pa Foundation. The filters can provide a total of 18,000 litres of clean water.

The Thai Bankers’ Association is in discussion on a possibility to cut fees for cash withdrawal and money transfer across provinces through ATMs, according to Bank of Thailand governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul.

Announcement is likely to be made in the next two to three days, he said.

Visa Inc announced initiatives to support Thai flood victims, aside from US$10,000 donation to Thai Red Cross Society.

In conjunction with its client banks, Visa will waive interchange fees effective from October 15-December 15 on domestic donations made to charitable organisations in Thailand. This means inter-bank processing charges on charitable contributions made by Visa cardholders to Thailand-based charities will be donated back to those charities.

"The recent floods in Thailand have been devastating to many people across the country. Visa is committed to helping the Thai people recover from the country's worst flooding in 50 years through our own charitable contribution as well as encouraging Thais to donate to local charities," said Somboon Krobteeranon, country manager, Thailand.

Bank of Ayudhya urges donation to its account No. 777-0-06285-4 , Rama III Branch, until end-December. All donations will be presented to the Thai Red Cross Society. Tax receipts are available for donation over Bt100.

-- The Nation 2011-11-01

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Volunteers wanted at the National Stadium, Bangkok. Everyday between 08:00 and 20:00 /via @Timbo67/via@Richardbarrow

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Dep Bkk Gov: Damage inflicted to Klong Sam Wa sluice gates by locals puts all inner Bkk districts at risk/TAN_Network

Sounds like Ch3 Sorayuth's is headed out to Klong Sam Wa to help MP Jirayu reason with ppl there & help find way to fix damage done today./via@terryfrd

From Sorayuth's segment on Ch3 just now, sounds like everyone seriously concerned abt water flow out of klong sam wa after damage inflicted/via@terryfrd

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Donations pour in at flood relief headquarters

Over Bt270 million has been donated to the Flood Relief Operations Centre's (FROC) relief fund, PM's Office Inspector Chamroen Yutithamsakul said Tuesday.

Chamroen, in charge of the fund, said that 11 major donors had submitted cheques and cash at the FROC office last Sunday, when donations totalled Bt456,152. The total amount donated so far to the FROC since its launch on October 8 was Bt270.981 million, he added.

Also on Sunday, 44 donors gave 9,711 items for flood relief to the FROC. The centre had distributed the items via 21 trucks to flood victims in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya and Sing Buri, said Chamroen.

-- The Nation 2011-11-01

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Floods to dampen housing demand

The Nation

Kasikornbank expects mortgage loan demand to drop by Bt20 billion in the last quarter of this year, as floods kill the appetite for new home.

Chatchai Payuhanaveechai, first senior vice president of the bank, based his forecast from the expectation that buyers of 50,000 residential units in the Greater Bangkok, with average price of Bt2 million, would cancel their booking or delay their purchases.

Bangkok Commercial Asset Management President Sumeth Maneewattana also foresees a decline in demand for second-hand homes.

"Demand for first and second-hand homes could remain sluggish next year," he said.

To Sumeth, the floods affected a large number of individuals. Many are losing their jobs following the closure of indsutrial factories, which could take 4-5 months to resume operations.

-- The Nation 2011-11-01

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The Royal Irrigation Department to throttle back the water flowing out of the Chao Phraya dam to reduce water flow heading towards Bangkok/via@Radio_Thailand

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Water level at Min Buri market is at 10-30 cm after 1-metre open of the Klong Sam Wa sluice gate. TR @can_nw/via@veen_NT

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Sukhumbhand worried about western zone

Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra Tuesday said he was worried about the capital's western zone.

"The water-drainage system there is not as good as the eastern zone," he admitted.

Flood-hit Bang Khae and Thawi Watthana are among districts in the western zone. Locals there are already struggling hard with floods.

"Floodwater level is now over one metre deep," Samart Khemthong said. He is among the flood victims there.

His village, Sakunthip, is located right by the Tawee Wattana Canal.

-- The Nation 2011-11-01

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Filipino in flood-hit Bangkok dies after electrocution

MANILA, Philippines - A Filipino who was among those suffering from Thailand's worst flooding in 50 years died after being electrocuted, InterAksyon.com learned Tuesday from the Philippine Embassy.

Arnolfo Fernadez was electrocuted while he was wading through Bangkok's flooded streets. He is the first reported Filipino fatality in the country's flooding, which was partly caused by the unusually heavy monsoon rains that killed 373 people since July 2011 and affected the lives of close to 2.5 million individuals.

"It has been confirmed that our brother, the late Arnolfo Fernandez, died from electrocution. He becomes the first flooding casuaty in our tightly-knit and deeply united community," said a message from the victim's family.

Fernandez is survived by his wife Arlet, who is now in Bangkok to personally arrange the repatriation of the remains of her husband.

"May Arnolfo's tragic fate serve as a fair warning to our kababayans who still find themselves in flooded areas in Bangkok. If you are to wade in floodwaters, make sure all electrical outlets have been shut off," the victim's family said.

Those who offer help for the family of the deceased may course their assistance to Arlet through the Embassy. The Embassy hotlines are 66- 08-9926-5954 and 66-08-4360-8405.

Mr. Roberto Reyes, the Embassy's Assistance-to-Nationals officer, is in-charge of the matter.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/16404/filipino-in-flood-hit-bangkok-dies-after-electrocution

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Amount of rice to enter rice mortgage scheme likely to drop from 25 to 20 mln tonnes due to flood: Bank for Agriculture,Agricultural Co-Op/MCOT

Expert Anond: Completion of Big Bag flood wall on Nov 4 should return dryness to Don Muang, Laksi and Bang Khen in 7 days(NNA).[/b]/Nation

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Due to flooding situation, Immigration Divition 3 including Ayuthaya, Patumthani and Nonthaburi provinces, will provide extention of VISAs Re-Entry permits, and notifications of 90 dats at Immigration Bureau in Soi Suanplu, Building 1, effecttive from 1 November 2011.

Posted on 1 Nov 2011

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Flooding in 26 provinces claims 384 lives with 2 still missing; affecting over 2.1 million residents/TAN_Network

ThaiPBS headquarters on Vipavadee Rangsit Rd sees 30-50 cm of flood water; FM91 also sees flooding around its station/TAN_Network

Flooding destroys more than 10.9 million rai of farmland, more than 13.2 million farm animals lost/TAN_Network

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Having read Thaksin's barrage of tweets, this comes to mind. Watch with a grain of salt, all right? http://t.co/ri2from0/via@tulsathit

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Policy rate cut likely: SCB

The Nation

Bank of Thailand may opt to cut the policy rate at the last meeting in December, despite inflation spike in October, according to Siam Commercial Bank's research unit.

In a research note, the Economic Intelligence Unit explained that high inflation should be temporary, as the manufacturing sector should pick up after the water recedes and more output will ease price hikes.

"Under this circumstance, the central bank’s policy may be biased towards economic growth than inflation," it said.

In the latest inflation report released on Oct 28, the central bank also foreseed an easing in inflation in the first half of 2012.

A rate cut is very likely if floods hit the inner city of Bangkok or inundate more industrial estates, the unit said.

The policy rate is 3.50 per cent.

-- The Nation 2011-11-01

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Bkk Gov: If Sam Wa sluice gate not fixed, Ram Indra and Ramkhamhaeng roads will see heavy flooding via @js100radio/TAN_Network

TR @suthichai: Bkk governor warns that if Klong Sam Wa floodgate collapses, Ramkhamhaeng and Ram-indra will be hard hit./via@tulsathit

Bkk Gov: If Sam Wa sluice gate not fixed, Ram Indra and Ramkhamhaeng roads will see heavy flooding via @js100radio/TAN_Network

BKK Governor orders police to guard dyke reconstruction along khlong samwa./nation

BKK Governor urges all to separate garbage, as collectors busy with flood-related jobs and could not collect garbage/Nation

Bkk gov enforces Article 37 of disaster prevention law; orders Metro police to protect BMA officials sent in to fix Sam Wa sluice gate/TAN_Network

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Dr Seri began w.appeal to ppl to keep their senses & cut the destruction, but then the discussion shifted. More pessimistic than yesterday./via@terryfrd

Dr Seri said Klong Prem big culprit in BKK's troubles. Not draining efficiently & there are bottlenecks City Hall needs to address urgently/via@terryfrd