Thailand Live Monday 7 Nov 2011

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Royal Irrigation Dept Believes Flooding in Thonburi Will Recede in 1 Month

The Royal Irrigation Department expects that the flood situation in Bangkok will not worsen from the current situation as the flood water level has continued to decrease, and that Thonburi District will see flood water recede in one month.

Director General of the Royal Irrigation Department Chalit Damrongsak said officials have decided to decrease the volume of water discharged through the Ponthep floodgate to the Tachine River and through the Borommathat floodgate to the Noi River by 10 percent, from October 30 to November 4 to help relieve flooding on the western side of Bangkok.

Regarding the management of the water in the East, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has asked him to install more water pumps at Hok Wa Canal to accelerate the water drainage into Sai Mai and Nongjok canals.

However, this may result in communities living along the banks of these canals to see some flooding.

Director of the Hydrology Office and Water Management of the Royal Irrigation Department, Thongplew Kongchan concluded that the water level of the Chao Phraya River at Nam Temple in Nakon Sawan Province continues to decrease by approximately 80 cubic meters per second, and the water level at Bang Sai District in Ayutthaya Province is now 15 centimeters lower than the river bank.

Meanwhile, water in the Pasak River also continues to decrease by around 17 centimeters per day.

This has proven that the volume of the northern flood runoff is on the decline.

The Royal Irrigation Department said since rivers' water level continues to decrease, drainage via the Chao Phraya and Tachine rivers should be sped up by opening floodgates and using more water pumps to help alleviate flooding in Bangkok.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-07

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RT @BangkokDan: Red silence is plain scary. One obviously can do anything with them.

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Total of 12 Districts Declared as Evacuation Zones as at Nov 7, 2011 (12.30 PM)

A total of 11 districts have been declared as evacuation zones by the Bangkok governor. This evening residents of the entire Jatujak District have been urged to relocate to high ground as soon as possible.

Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paripatra has declared the entire Jatujak District as an evacuation zone. Resides in all sub-districts; including Lad Yao, Sena Nikom, Jatujak, Chandrakasem and Chomphol to relocate to higher ground.

The addition of Jatujak District puts the total of districts that have been ordered to evacuate at 11 districts. The list has grown from 8 districts on last Friday to 11 in less than 48 hours.

Districts on Evacuation List:

1.Don Muang

2.Sai Mai

3.Lak Si

4.Bangkaen

5.Bangplad

6.Taling Chan

7.Tawee Wattana

8.Bangkae

9.Pasi Charoen (4 sub-districts in Pasi Charoen were declared as evacuation zones since Nov 5; Klong Kwang, Bang Duan, Bang Wak, Bangchak)

10.Nong Kaem (Pok Krong Sub-district added to evacuation list on Nov 5)

11.Jatujak

12.Klong Sam Wa

Districts that were asked to evacuate on Sunday (Nov 6):

Nong Jok District: Klong Sib, Ku Fang Nua, Kok Fad

Minburi District: San Saeb Sub-district

Nong Kaem Distsrict: Nong Kaem Sub-district

Pasi Charoen District: Pak Klong Pasi Charoen, Bang Wa, Kuha Sawan

Apart from the 11 districts (entire districts), a total of 9 sub-districts in 5 different districts have also been ordered to evacuate.

These sub-districts include:

Nong Jok District: Klong Sib, Ku Fang Nua, Kok Fad

Klong Sam Wa District: Sam Wa Tawan Ok (East Sam Wa), Tsai Kong Din Tai and Bang Chan

Lad Prao District: Jorakaebua

Bangkok Yai District: Charasanitwongse 13, Tha Pra

Minburi District: San Saeb

Areas added to flood watchlist:

1. Thonburi District: Talad Plu Sub-district (communities on Wuttaarkard Road and Terdthai Road)

2. Lad Prao District: Lad Prao Sub-district (communities on Prasert Manoonkit Road - outer perimeter of Lad Prao District)

3. Minburi District: Minburi Sub-district

-- Tan Network 2011-11-07

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SET index midday Mon.: 962.05,up 4.74pt, 0.50pct /The NATION

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12:35pm BBC worried Thailand's capital may not survive from water ~ @NationChannel24

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BMA Map of Flood-hit Areas and Depths of Flood Water http://j.mp/tfSlxo

/TANN

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Bang Chan declared evacuation area (Bangkok Post)

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RT @TAN_Network: Here we go. Finally got the tag right. BMA Map of Flood-hit Areas and Depths http://j.mp/tfSlxo http://yfrog.com/gy3g1eoj

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12:58pm Huai Kwang tunnel inbound already closed http://bit.ly/udFF27 ~ @ktnews

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12:47pm Ladprao 5-way junction, viewed from Central Ladprao pedestrian bridge [see photo] http://bit.ly/rI2qTO ~ @js100radio #ThaiFloodEng

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RT @tulsathit: Satit Kaset School alumni have formed a relief network to help each other. Many alumni live in affected areas north of Bkk.

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RT @Johan_Munkestam: Red Shirt MP, KARUN HOSAKUL still ignore FROC's rule on banners displaying his name for trucks carrying relief goods.

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1:15pm Bangbon 1 Rd from Kallapapruek junction to Petchkasem Rd flooded by 50-80cm. Cars impassable http://yfrog.com/nu2k0rnj ~ @js100radio

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PM considering 'Big Bags' for western Bangkok

BANGKOK, Nov 7 - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is considering to build additional 'Big Bag' barriers to control the deluge in the western part of the Thai capital after using them in northern Bangkok with satisfactory results, Transport Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat said on Monday.

Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol asserted that the 'Big Bag' can slow the rate of water flow in the northern parts of the capital and workers are now trying to quickly reinforce damaged barriers.

The transport minister referred to the success of operations using the one- and two-tonne sandbags piled up as a makeshift flood prevention dykes for six kilometres on the Rangsit-Muang Ek Road to reduce the volume of water flowing into Don Muang, Lak Si and Bang Khen districts, and Khlong Prapa, the main source of tap water for the capital and neighbouring provinces.

"Prime Minister Yingluck is thinking to build more flood prevention barriers along 10km Bang Sue-Talingchan route to curb the amount of water in western Bangkok," said the minister. The authorities will study their use to determine "whether the operations could be carried out or not, as a river bridge in the area could be an obstacle."

For water drainage from Bangkok, Marshal Sukumpol said the operations will be done in accord with the system of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), but the Flood Relief Operations Centre (FROC) stands ready to provide help.

The minister stated that BMA water drainage is expected to be complete in two weeks.

Transport Minister Sukumpol said he would ask the cabinet to extend toll-free expressway period after normal roads are impassable.

Floodwater has reportedly surged from drainage pipelines around 100 metres away from the premier's home in Soi Yothinpattana 3 in Navamind Road on Monday, even as the prime minister is visiting flood victims in Ta Sai community, Laksi district.

Ronnachit Yaemsaard, acting governor of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), said all 18 MRT underground stations are operating as usual although water keeps rising, but not yet at a level which poses a threat to the system.

Mr Ronnachit said the MRTA must closely monitor the flood situation at Chatuchak Station after it had earlier put three stations -- Ratchadapisek, Phaholyothin, and Lat Phrao -- are under close watch.

The acting governor noted his agency will decide whether and when underground stations will be closed depending on when floodwater reaches the second step of station entrances.

As of now, Mr Ronnachit explained, floodwater has hit only the first step of the entrance of the affected stations, such as Phaholyothin Station. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-11-07

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Chulalongkorn University will start new semester on January 9 - details for registration http://t.co/4uPlR0WyTR @varittweet/via@veen_NT

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1:28pm Traffic on Ladprao Rd blocked from Ladprao 5-way junction to Ladprao canal bridge ~ @Rawangpai

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Govt to face grilling on botched flood control

Some 70 Democrats have lined up to grill the government on botched flood control, chief opposition whip Jurin Laksanavisit said on Monday.

The grilling will take place in connection with the budget debate from Wednesday to Thursday followed by a general debate on Friday.

Jurin said the Democrats will focus on the flooding situation as reflected by the 2012 Budget Bill.

"The Bt120 billion recovery spendings might not be sufficient for rectify the flood damages," he said.

He said the government opted to squander funds for populist schemes at the expense of rebuilding efforts in the wake of flooding.

-- The Nation 2011-11-07

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TR @whyningnong: No flood at Impact Arena but fans of X Japan must prepare well Production team spent 2 hrs on xpressway today/via@veen_NT

Impact Area where X Japan concert is to be held tomorrow - - http://t.co/zwhfGEWa photo by @whyningnong/via@veen_NT

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The people's solider vs dummy police Ja Choey RT @sirichaPrae.. http://t.co/ProaoMbj/via@veen_NT

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1:45pm MRT Phahonyothin station will close if water rises 30cm more, now every station operates http://t.co/U1PumwAr ~@ktnews

RT @benjalord: Soi 2-16, west of Wutthakat mostly flooded, 14 heavily hit. But hasn't made it south past Ratchapreuk yet./via@Tulip_Oum

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1:49pm Samutsakorn Senator expects water mass to arrive Samutsakorn by 4 days http://t.co/GW12GbB8~ @ktnews

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1:49pm Samutsakorn Senator expects water mass to arrive Samutsakorn by 4 days /BANGKOKBIZNEWS

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RT @WARUNEE_Tv3: water level at Soi Nual Chan 42 at 40 cm - getting difficult for small vehicles http://t.co/X5wj1aB8 /via@veen_NT

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Museum Siam (Discovery Museum) closed until Nov.10 - call 02 225 2777 info - http://t.co/dtu5oy72 (via @lekasina)via@veen_NT

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Water level at Khlong Lad Phrao keeps risin, 12 cm drop at Khlong Prem. Other canals in BKK, water level is on the rise. via @pr_bangkok/via@veen_NT

RT @Biz_TheNation: BMA Mon.declared entire Klong Sam Wa district as evacuation zone;inbound tunnel at Huay Kwang is closed to traffic/via@veen_NT

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Rangsit University will start new semester on January 5, 2012. #RSU #Thaiflood via @corpuslutium/via@veen_NT

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RT @StrontiumDog1: 1.45pm Viparadi @ LadPrao int., 500m b4 Suthisan, water 40cm-high.~@Reporter_js8 http://t.co/gp7Aisef/via@Tulip_Oum

Evacuation district; DonMueng, SaiMai, Laksi, BangKhen, BangPlad, TalingChun, TaweeWattana, BangKhae, PasiJareon, NongKham, Jatujak, KlongSamWa. (via @bangkokgovernor)/via@Tulip_Oum

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subdistrict in Evacuation zone; NongJok's KlongSib, KuFungNue, KokeFad. LadPrao's JorakeaBua. BangkokYai's Charunsanitwong 13, TaPra. Minburi's Sansaab. (via @bangkokgovernor)/via@Tulip_Oum

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2:14pm Tha Phra tunnel the way coming from Ratchada now closed for 2 hours to build water barriers ~ @ktnews #ThaiFloodEng

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RT @ajarnbryan: Evacuation shelter for expats and Thais at Bangna Commercial College, Suk 103, Udomsuk 18.via@tulsathit

BMA's evacuation orders for 12 BKK districts -- Don Muang, Sai Mai, lak Si, Bang Khen, Bang Phad, Taling Chan, Thawee Wattana, Bang Khae, Phai Si Charoen, Nong Khaem, Chatuchak and Khong Sam Wa/via@ThanongK