Thailand Live Friday 4 Nov 2011

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City waterworks chief: discovery of a body in Prapa Canal will not affect quality of water, investigation underway /TANN

RT @RichardBarrow: Three MRT subway stations that are open but under flood watch today: Phaholyothin, Ratchada & Lad Phrao /via @tukky_nt

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RT @tukky_nt: 9.20am: Vibhavadee (Lad Phrao) heading to Din Daeng and Saphan Kwai: http://twitpic.com/7amm2q

RT @Tulip_Oum: help transfer your pet and free medical treatment in Bangkok area, 8am-10pm. call 024333017. (via @ktnews @Rawangpai)

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Tide Prediction Bankok, Nov 4

Source: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EASYTIDE/EasyTide/ShowPrediction.aspx?PortID=6883&PredictionLength=7

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Water overflows from drains, sewers in front of Chao Phraya Park Hotel on Ratchadapisek Road, Central Plaza Latprao closed /MCOT

Khlong Prapa 'sabotaged' again (Bangkok Post)

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RT @KristieKenney: United Airlines infoRT @ACSBKK: United Airlines ticket & reservation change policy 4 Thai floods: http://bit.ly/w0WxAO

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 968.07, up 10.51 points /MCOT

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Inner Bangkok Floods Likely to Cost Ratchaprasong 5 Bln Baht

Traders in the economic hub of Bangkok conceded that the ongoing floods in the outskirts of the capital has adversely affected the trading and the tourism business.

It's estimated that total losses will reach 5 billion baht if the government fails to protect the inner area.

President of the Rachaprasong Business Operators Association, Chai Srivikorn, stated that the flooding in some parts of the capital have severely affected about 2,000 shops and ten hotels located at Rachaprasong junction.

He said it is apparent that the number of tourists plummeted by 60 to 80 percent, estimating that the tourism business have lost millions of baht.

Srivikorn noted that losses could total 5 billion baht if the flood reaches inner Bangkok.

This is tantamount to the cost of damages resulted from the 2010 political insurgency which also paralyzed businesses in the area.

He added that employees and small-medium enterprises would be affected the most.

However, he expressed confidence that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration or BMA will be capable of tackling the water crisis and prevent the area from being flooded.

Srivikorn added that the BMA and other related agencies will continue to provide his association with reports on the flood situation while traders are also bracing for possible inundation.

He urged the government to develop a plan for tourism rehabilitation and aims to build confidence among tourists that the crisis will not repeat.

Meanwhile, the Thailand D Ambassador, along with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, the Rachaprasong Business Operators Association, and Kesorn group started a campaign on November 3 which goes until tomorrow at Amarin Plaza.

The campaign's focus is to collect an additional 100,000 Effective Micro-organisms Balls, or the EM balls, to help treat sewage water.

The balls will be distributed to flooded communities.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-04

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Energy Minister Affirms Flood Center will not be Relocated Twice

The energy minster reiterated that the new Flood Operations Center will remain safe while the Cabinet plans to build a shortcut linking the Don Muang Tollway to the center if the flood hits the building.

Energy Minister Pichai Naripthapan insisted that the Cabinet will not relocate the Flood Relief Operations Center or FROC a second time.

As of now, its headquarters has been moved to the Energy Ministry, which also stations the PTT Head Office near the Lad Phrao junction.

Earlier, flooding forced the FROC to evacuate its headquarters at the flood-affected Don Muang Airport.

Pichai pointed out that the current center is 2.40 meters higher than the main road, and the PTT also built a temporary embankment of another 2.40 meters.

In addition, he expressed confidence that the FROC is capable of handling the floodwater in the district.

He said that in case the inundation reaches the building, the Transport Ministry is having the Highways Department build a shortcut linking the Don Muang Tollway to the center to accommodate people entering and working at FROC.

The shortcut is expected to be completed within the next two days.

The Energy Minister stated that the Cabinet has already set a rehabilitation plan in place.

It will begin in Phitsanulok Province after the water recedes further.

He added that the ministry has imported a gigantic water pump from China, which will reach Thailand by November 10.

It will be sent to flooded areas either by plane or boat, depending on the water situation.

Phichai will propose a measure for the Cabinet's approval that will aim to reduce the flood victims' stress, including maintaining the Ft Charge until the situation eases.

He claimed that it will benefit at least 3 to 4 million individuals, and it's expected that the cabinet will finalize its decision by next week.

Meanwhile, there are huge criticisms over the mismanagement of the Bhumibol Dam's water discharge by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand or EGAT, which caused the worst inundation in decades.

However, EGAT denied all accusations, saying it has no authority to approve discharges.

EGAT said water-discharge decisions depend on a commission, consisting of nine commissioners from various agencies.

Most of the commissioners come from the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry.

Therefore, EGAT has urged the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry to clarify the truth to the public.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-04

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Central Lard Prao closed

Central Lard Prao was closed for business indefinitely starting from Friday morning after floodwater has reached the Lard Prao Intersection.

The water was about 20 to 30 centimetres high on the road in front of the shopping mall.

-- The Nation 2011-11-04

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FROC not yet relocated although flooding escalates to Lard Prao Intersection

Floodwater reached the Lard Prao Intersection and the road in front of new head office of the Flood Relief Operations Centre appears to be inundated soon but the FROC declared it would not relocate for now.

The FROC has earlier moved from the Don Mueang Airport to the Energy Complex of the Energy Ministry on Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road.

Floodwater was seen gushing out of the sewer of the road in front of the Energy Complex.

Officials have placed sandbags to protect the building and they have increased the height of the Don Mueng Tollway's exit that links to the Energy Complex with grinded gravels so that official and reporters' vehicles could exit the tollway and enter the compound the Energy Ministry even if the road is flooded.

-- The Nation 2011-11-04

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RT @RichardBarrow: Blue sky, dry roads & no sign of rain: Bangkok <=> Suvarnanbhumi <=> Pattaya. Airport operating as normal #ThaiFloodEng

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10:00am Water level at Ladprao 5-way junction reaches 20cm http://fb.me/EtH6C1kX ~ @NationChannel24

9:49am Vibhavadi Rangsit Rd in front of FROC's new office flooded by 20cm but passable on new road they made ~ @Phubes_ThaiPBS

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Lak Si resident attacked by crocodile

A man was attacked by a crocodile in Bangkok's Lak Si district, Matichon Online reported Friday.

Matichon said the man was attacked by a crocodile at his flooded house and he needed 100 stitches. The paper said he was now safe and in stable condition.

-- The Nation 2011-11-04

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Plodprasob believes all district will be inundated whereas BKK governor still confirms not entire BKK to get flooded ~ @nnanew

10:29am Central declared indefinite disclosure for Ladprao branch ~ @ThanawaNTV

Flood on Prachaniwet1 in front of Matichon Building at 9:30am [see photo] http://yfrog.com/oepxvlj ~ @tistoo

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10:38am Airbus AB6 planes of Thai Airways in DM Airport [see photo] http://yfrog.com/gymfrbij ~ @Rawee_Spring

10:40am From Ratchayothin junction to Senanikon junction flooded by 80cm ~ @NationChannel24

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MAKRO secures one million bottles of drinking water from local supply to overcome shortages

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10:48am Water seeps out from drainages at Payathai3 Hospital, Ratchapruek-Petchkasem junction http://pic.twitter.com/q75snfqA ~ @Voice_TV

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Bus Services at Mo Chit 2 will not be relocated

The Transport Company has taken precautions against flooding but has no imminent plan to the relocate northern and northeastern inter-provincial bus services.

Transport Company President Wutthichart Kalayanamit said the Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal remains open as usual.

He expressed confidence that the bus terminal will not get flooded because it sits on land that is one meter higher than the surrounding area.

However, Wutthichart affirmed that the company has taken precautions and is following the flood situation closely.

He added that he will call a meeting of board members to discuss preparations in the event that bus services have to be relocated.

Wutthichart said all southern bus services continue to operate as usual after being relocated from the New Southern Bus Terminal to the Holland Beer House on Rama 2 Road due to severe flooding.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-04

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RT @Tulip_Oum: 11am BMA has added following subdistrict to evacuation zone; Jatujak, Lad Yao, Senanikom, Jan Kasem.~@Neaw_NBC

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BMA announces evacuation of Chatuchak, Lat Yao, Sena Nikom, Chandrakasem; Nong Khaem under close watch for possible evacuation /MCOT

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Evacuation order for Chatuchak, Lat Yao, Sena Nikom, Chandrakasem

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11:57am U-turn under bridge crossed Klong Sam Wa, near Minburi fresh market, flooded by 20cm http://yfrog.com/odn7qcj ~@js100radio

11:48am Petchkasem 77/2-4 flooded up to waist deep http://yfrog.com/ode6kjhj ~ @Rawangpai

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AFP: Toyota, Nissan extend Thai flood production halts

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RT @veen_NT: The PhyaThai 3 hospital on Petckasem 28 opens normally but floodwater seen in front of hospital.

12:10pm At the entrance of Soi Ratchada 32 flooded by 50cm http://7daypic.com/OgTZ ~ @LyNGinG

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MWA Ensures Tap Water Not Contaminated After Body Was Discovered In Prapa Canal

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12.22pm From Vibhavadi outbound, the way onto Bangkhen junction blocked http://pic.twitter.com/jJhg1xLS ~ @js100radio

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RT @KristieKenney: Team from @USEmbassyBKK just visited Suvarnabhumi Intl airport. It's operating as normal with easy road access.

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12:32pm Inundated Ladprao 5-way junction [see photo] http://twitpic.com/7anzco ~ @MrKheang #thaifloodeng

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PM meets with Bangkok governor to coordinate draining water from city; no plan to relocate FROC /MCOT

Samut Sakhon officials meet to discuss preventive measures for possible flooding; 5,000 factories at risk /TANN

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Foreign Media Shines Spotlight on Thailand's Floods

The foreign media is watching closely whether the Thai government can drain the floodwater that has already submerged parts of Bangkok and protect the capital's inner area from flooding.

Meanwhile, Honda Motor has suspended production in the Philippines, as suppliers in Thailand are unable to provide parts.

Members of the foreign media say despite the government's assurance that it will do everything possible to protect inner Bangkok from flooding, the government is still facing harsh criticism for managing the flood situation due to confusing reports about the flooding.

As of now, the Thai government has issued evacuation orders for 8 of 50 Bangkok districts.

Meanwhile, Honda Motor has temporarily suspended production in the Philippines because suppliers in flood-stricken Thailand are unable to deliver parts.

Joseph Tacorda, the human resources manager of Honda Car Philippines, said the company has suspended production and will not reopen its plant until it can find alternative suppliers to those in Thailand.

Tacorda added that his company is awaiting parts from other Honda plants, and he still does not know when they will be supplied.

Honda is No.3 in Philippines' automotive industry.

It sold more than 9,000 cars in the first eight months of the year, a market share of 9.7 percent.

In Singapore, 69 mosques in are raising funds for flood relief in Thailand.

Donation boxes will be placed at the mosques until next Thursday.

The donation will be used to support flood relief programs in Thailand through the Mercy Relief charity organization.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-04