Thailand Live Wednesday 2 Nov 2011

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9.25am: Repair work has begun at the broken Klong Samwa sluice gate with 200 policemen's security. TR @Neaw_NBC #inn @tukky_nt

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RT @tukky_nt: 9am: Floodwater from NgamWongWan rd gradually seeps through the now-closed Kasetsart tunnel:http://twitpic.com/79lubw TR @LyNGinG

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PTT says no fuel shortage. For MAP on affected PTT gas/NGV service stations go to http://j.mp/rIAnW6 http://yfrog.com/nvl7voj /TANN

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RT @tukky_nt: 10am: 800 staff inside Kasetsart University to be evacuated after Bang Khen district declared an evacuation area. TR @nnanews

Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 950.75, down 5.84 points /MCOT

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Floods will hit inner Bangkok in 1-2 days if floodgate problem at Klong Sam Wa is not resolved quickly /Nation

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RT @seacorro: Repairs underway #samwa #ThaiFloodEng http://twitter.com/seacorro/status/131566519107850240/photo/1

RT @seacorro: Lots of police and reporters, no angry mob whatsoever #samwa #ThaiFloodEng

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Flood water on Petchkasem 81 (Nov 2, 10AM) http://yfrog.com/j212atgj #ThaiFloodENG /TANN

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China Town Gold Shops Remain Operating Despite Floods

Chinatown gold shops are open for business as usual, as the area has not been affected much by the ongoing flooding.

Gold Traders Association President Jitti Tangsithpakdi reiterated that gold shops in Chinatown have not been hit hard by the ongoing inundation, and the most serious flooding occurred at Odean Circle.

Meanwhile, the floodwater level on Yaowarat Road is changing according to the fluctuating currents of the Chao Phraya River.

The highest level was recorded at 30 meters.

Gold sales have been lively as usual, especially on October 26 and 27, when global gold prices increased dramatically.

Jitti added that gold prices have been speculated to reach a peak of 1,922 dollars per ounce, the equivalent to 27,000 baht by the end of the year, although price fluctuations are expected.

He pointed out that the baht appreciation has had an extensive effect on gold prices.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-02

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Product Shortages Likely to End in 2 Weeks

The Commerce Minister is optimistic that the shortages of necessities such as drinking water, eggs, and instant noodles will end by mid-November, as businesses have increased their production capabilities, and modern traders imported a large amount of goods.

Permanent Secretary of the Commerce Ministry, Yanyong Phuangrach, said the measures to resolve goods shortages during the flood disaster were set in place.

The ministry asked for cooperation from both the public and private sectors to increase production capabilities and simultaneously imported some goods such as drinking water to prevent product shortages.

Yanyong stated that one million bottles of drinking water were sent from surrounding provinces and are headed to Bangkok.

In addition, modern traders are importing 5.4 million bottles, and 3.8 million eggs.

Imported instant noodles and canned food production increased by 300,000 and 3.6 million units respectively.

He reiterated that the ministry is rushing to find alternative salt production sites, fearing that many sites are likely to be flooded.

The permenant secretrary added that the Cabinet has included 16 additional products in its price control list to fulfill soaring consumer demands.

The items include bottled water, tissue paper, flashlights, toothpaste, toothbrushes, sand, concrete blocks, life vests, small boats, rubber boots, water tanks, water pumps, and candles.

Sellers who list their products higher than the controlled prices will face maximum punishment.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-02

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RT @RichardBarrow: Tourist destinations around Bangkok closed by flooding incl. Safari World, Dream World & Chatuchak Market #ThaiFloodEng

10:06am Thonburi residents still use Phrapinklao bridge to walk into the knee-deep flood & started to get food shortage / INN

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Kratumban District Drains Out Water to Save Thonburi District

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, or BMA, disclosed that the water in Khlong Maha Sawat canal has overflown into the western inner city areas of Bangkok, while the Flood Relief Operation Center is coordinating to accelerate the water drainage at Kratumban district into other areas.

Director of the BMA Department of Drainage and Sewerage, Sanya Chenimit, disclosed that water from Khlong Maha Sawat canal has overflown into the western inner city areas of Bangkok.

The water has been channeled into Klong Phasi Charoen canal to allow the water to flow into other canals and into the Chao Phraya River.

The BMA coordinated with the Flood Relief Operation Center to accelerate the water drainage at Kratumban District to drain the water into other areas.

However, the volume of water from the north is large, so officials in Thonburi District have established preventive measures, and the BMA has accelerated the building of the dikes.

Nevertheless, because of limited mobility, trucks cannot pass the areas easily, so officials are limited to boat travel.

Four pump machines are being used to drain water from the areas.

Together, the four pumps can drain more than 100 cubic meters of water per second.

In Nakhon Pathom Province, more than 100 cubic meters of water is being drained out per second as well.

In eastern Bangkok, residents have prevented the Flood Relief Operation Center from closing the floodgates, causing the lower parts of Bangkok to be affected.

However, if the water overflows across the dikes, all areas in Bangkok will be badly affected.

Floodgates at Minburi and Prawase districts need to be efficiently managed to prevent the floodwater from entering the entire inner city of Bangkok.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-02

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RT @AndersInNon: Expressway exit @ Ratchadaphisek 10:30 http://twitpic.com/79n433

RT @RichardBarrow: The Mall Bangkae is closed today due to flooding RT @news1005fm: เดอะมอลล์บางแค แจ้งปิดให้บริการวันนี้ #THaiFloodEng

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Flooding Forces Relocation of Bangkok Inmates

Flooding has forced the Lard Yao Central Prison to relocate a total of 200 inmates to other provincial prisons.

Trat Provincial Prison Commanding Officer Monthon Srikrajib revealed that 200 inmates have already evacuated from the Lard Yao Central Prison in Bangkok to Trat provincial prison.

He pointed out that as central provinces have been reeling under flood for more than two weeks, many prisons in the area were forced to remove prisoners to ensure their safety.

Monthon said that Ayutthaya prison has moved 50 prisoners and Pathum Thani provincial prison has relocated 250 prisoners to Trat prison.

Meanwhile, an evacuee who moved from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima’s Phimai District, 62-year-old Pathumporn Petchthai, has also carried her gargantuan soft-shelled turtle with her.

She said it weighs 50 kilograms and she carried it in a basin before deciding to hand her beloved pet over to the provincial zoo, saying she has fed it for over ten years.

She feared the animal would die during the evacuation.

Pathumporn comforted herself, saying that bringing it to the zoo will help educate people about the lifecycle of Thai soft-shelled turtles and lead to conservation efforts to propagate this species.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-02

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Students Organize Activities to Promote Recovery of Flood Victims

A group of students organized activities to help people affected by the ongoing inundation to ease their psychological suffering induced by the flood crisis.

While many people travel to other provinces to escape the floods in Bangkok, a group of more than 30 students have mobilized under the name “Art for Help” and have dedicated their time to organizing activities to help flood victims at the temporary shelter at Rajamangala National Stadium to ease their anxiety.

“Art for Help” was set up by teachers and the Bangkok Art and Culture Center to support the 'Let's Panic Exhibition' aimed at creating awareness and action that will contribute to public awareness about conserving and sustaining our environment.

The group has organized the activities since October 22 and will continue visiting temporary shelters until the floods ease.

Anyone who wishes to join the flood-relief efforts can donate drawing instruments at the Bangkok Art and Culture Center.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-02

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Vibhavadi Hospital not admitting new patients due to flooding /TANN #ThaiFloodEng

City Hall speeds up fixing holes beside Klong Sam Wa sluice gate under police guard to manage water downstream after it was dug up by angry residents

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10:28am Water level on footpath near Kaset junction is 40cm http://pic.twitter.com/odlVjtVI ~ @js100radio #thaifloodeng

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10:38am The alley toward Amornphan market flooded by 30cm http://pic.twitter.com/PmKoj60t ~ @js100radio #thaifloodeng

10:37am Small vehicles hardly passable at Kaset junction due to 60cm of flood http://twitpic.com/79n77c ~ @Voice_TV #thaifloodeng

10:35am Water from drainages overflowed Ratchada inbound toward Prachachuen in front of SCB Park by 10cm ~ @SpringNews_TV #thaifloodeng

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200 policemen deployed to keep security at Klong Sam Wa sluice gate

Over 200 crowd-control policemen were deployed to keep security at the Klong Sam Wa sluice gate while Bangkok administration workers were repairing the gate Wednesday morning.

Angry residents of the Klong Sam Wa district has dug up a waterway beside the gate to try to reduce floodwater from their area.

The side waterway was about 50 centimetres-wide and Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said the waterway had to be fixed or else the water could overflow the Saen Saeb Canal to flood inner Bangkok.

In the morning, the water level north of the sluice gate was about 1.9 metres high and the level at the south of the gate was about 1.2 metres high.

-- The Nation 2011-11-02

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10:46am Death toll in Thailand's flood has risen to 427 whereas 26 provinces still submerged ~ @Neaw_NBC #thaifloodeng

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Bangkhen Becomes An Evacuation Zone - Bangkok Warns Locals Not to Open Klong Sam Wah Watergate

The Bangkok governor announced three more evacuation zones, which are the Sananiwej 2 residential neighborhood, the eastern side of Sam Wah district and Bang Khen district.

Meanwhile, the governor has warned locals not to pressure officials to open the Klong Sam Wah water gate.

Bangkok Governor M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra said the amount of runoff from northern Bangkok spread widely into the capital.

He asked local residents in Bangkhen and Sananiwej 2 neighborhood in Lad Phrao District, and the eastern side of Klong Sam Wah district to evacuate from the areas.

The governor also announced Sai Kong Din and Sai Kong Din Tai sub-districts, and Nong Jok District as precaution zones.

The seven districts that have been declared evacuation zones include Don Muang, Bang Prad, Sai Mai, Taweewattana, Lak Si, Talingchan, and Bang Khen.

Bangkok Deputy Governor Teerachon Manomaipiboon claimed that a group of people had been trying to destroy the water gate at Klong Sam Wah, which could worsen the situation in Bangkok.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-02

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Sam Wa Sluice Gate Being Fixed

The authorities have started repairing the Sam Wa sluice gate, which was damaged by enraged locals who wanted the gate opened so the stagnant flood water in their homes can be drained into the Saen Saeb Canal.

To appease the locals, yesterday the government agreed to opend the sluice gate by 1 meter. However, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration officials fear doing so will place all 50 districts of the capital at risk of flooding.

Last night, Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatara went on TV to say he will invoke the disaster law to take control over various agencies in the capital in his flood prevention scheme.

As a result, 200 police officers have been ordered to stand guard while repair is being made to the Sam Wa sluice gate today. The police officers will have to prevent any action by locals to obstruct the repair.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-02

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Floodwater approaches Bang Khen Market

The floodwater was approaching the Bang Khen Martet Wednesday morning, causing concern that it would reach the Major Ratchothin Intersection Soon.

The Phaholyothin Road in front of Kasetsart University has been under 60-centimetre-deep water.

-- The Nation 2011-11-02

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Water at Bangchan Indust. Estate continues rising, overflows from drainage system; Management attempts to fully protect /MCOT #ThaiFloodEng

11:15am More 5cm to overflow inside Chandrakasem Rajabhat university, no barriers at all http://twitpic.com/79nl2a ~ @LyNGinG #thaifloodeng

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11:09am Nong Khaem & Bang Khae already flooded by about 1m this morning http://bit.ly/sEcZkl ~ @manageronlines #thaifloodeng

11:15am More 5cm to overflow inside Chandrakasem Rajabhat university, no barriers at all http://twitpic.com/79nl2a ~ @LyNGinG #thaifloodeng

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11:22am Central Plaza Pinklao branch and Ramindra branch closed fb.me/MCQVNkOc ~ @NationChannel24 #thaifloodeng

RT @Tulip_Oum: Boonrawd co. at Samsen is selling its Singha water 6x1.5ltr for ฿50, 4 pack allowed per person, use ID to buy.~@kktp @napatsha #ThaifloodEng

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11:31am FROC announced, overnight staying on expressways is forbidden http://bit.ly/soWc4d ~ @thaiflood #thaifloodeng

Flooding reaches footpath in front of Kasemrat Hospital on Petchkasem inbound lane yfrog.com/odac0ezj /TANN

RT @RichardBarrow: HomePro Expo at Impact Muang Thong Thani is postponed until 15-20 November #ThaiFloodEng

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Flooding Continues in Many Provinces

Many provinces are still reeling under severe flooding, with a large number of residents suffering from the inundation.

The flood situation in Nakhon Sawan Province has reportedly improved, while the water-level of the four main rivers have reduced by more than 10 centimeters each day.

However, many districts are still reeling under severe flooding, including Chumsaeng, Kaolieo, Tha Tako, Payuha Keeree, Krok, and Muang districts.

In the Nakhon Sawan municipality, residents are now able move back home.

However, residents in other communities such as the Fah Mai and Nong Pak Tob communities cannot return to their homes due to high volumes of floodwater remaining.

The water-level of the Sirikit reservoir is now at a 99% capacity, and it has been confirmed that the water-level in the reservoir will be managed to prevent it from overflowing.

Director of Sirikit reservoir management, Thanarat Poommakasikorn, said due to the absence of rain, only 18 million cubic meters of water runoff is flowing into the reservoir each day.

As a result, officials managed to drain 18 million cubic meters of water daily, causing no affects on the central region.

In Nakhon Pathom Province, the water level of the Thajeen River continues to rise and has overflown into the roads towards Nakhon Chaisri District.

The main route, from Petchkasem to Tha Na Market, which is two kilometers long, is now submerged.

Small cars are unable to pass this area.

Municipality road number 1 is also submerged, leaving Buddha Monthon number 8 the only available route to Nakhon Chaisri and Don Toom districts.

Bang Krabao sub-district has been inundated under one meter of water, forcing the monks to travel by boat for alms rounds.

In Ubon Ratchathani Province, the water from the Moon River has flooded communities in Muang, Warin Chamrap, and Piboon Mangsahan districts for the last three months.

A doctor from the provincial public health office, Suraporn Loyha, has attended a meeting with volunteers from the public health office of each of the flooded communities to discuss diseases, while many victims have fallen ill with diarrhea and depression.

Meanwhile, many villages in Kosumpisai district of Mahasarakam Province are still cut-off, and boats are necessary for travel.

However, the flood situation is likely to improve, as the water level is decreasing continuously.

In Kosumpisai District, 11 sub-districts with 178 villages have been affected, and more than 7,000 residents have suffered.

Some 80,000 rais of agricultural farmland has been destroyed.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-02

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RT @Tulip_Oum: 11:38am after Klong Sanwa sluice gate opened for 1m-wide, water level in Klong Samwa community still hasn't go down.~@Neaw_NBC #thaifloodeng

11:35am Ratchawong pier overflowed by about 5cm http://lockerz.com/s/152532744 ~ @tingjs100 #thaifloodeng

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Vendors, Consumers Moan over Supply Shortages During Floods

Both vendors and consumers are suffering from product shortages as the country struggles to handle the flood crisis.

As the country is facing severe shortages of necessity items in the wake of massive floods, vendors at Sri Yan, Ratchawat and Nang Lerng markets spoke with one voice that they have to travel to different places to find supplies to sell, or to queue in long lines to buy them at Sahafarm and Makro stores.

Some have even had to go as far as Chachoengsao Province to get products currently in demand. They admit they have to increase prices to cover rising costs.

Size 0 eggs are now selling at 70 to 75 baht for ten, while size 2 eggs are selling at 4 baht each.

Canned fish cost 12 to 16 baht a piece, while instant noodles are sold for 7 baht a packet. Drinking water is selling at 100 to 150 baht per pack.

Grocery shoppers are finding it difficult to find food and basic supplies, especially drinking water, which costs 100 to 150 baht a pack.

They say they have no choice but to buy expensive bottled water, as tap water has started to change color and they are not confident that it is safe for consumption despite treatment or boiling.

People are buying fewer eggs due to the price hike. Some families with babies have to go a long way to find milk power and napkins which are currently in scarce supply.

Both vendors and consumers are hoping the shortage problem will be resolved quickly.

They agreed with the government's decision to import necessity items to temporarily ease the problem and its impact.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-02

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Foreign Press Hails “Blue Whales” Flood Animation Series

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