Thailand Live Monday 7 Nov 2011

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Hong Kong extends tourism ban on flood-hit Thailand http://t.co/8LRt1Vuu/via

@RichardBarrow

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Phuket roads blamed for traffic accidents: Poll

The Phuket tour bus full of Russian tourists after running off the road to Patong on October 26. Photo: Sampawat Wannasangkam

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/510796-phuket-roads-blamed-for-traffic-accidents-poll/page__view__findpost__p__4829889

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MANUFACTURING

BoI officially approves remedial measures

Nalin Viboonchart

The Nation

The Board of Investment (BoI)'s board of directors on Monday approved some remedial measures for flood-hit manufacturers, excluding the proposed 8-year waiver on corporate income tax which is pending for the Finance Ministry's approval.

The board held the meeting today for the first time in the Yingluck government.

According to Kittirat Na-Ranong, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, as chairman of the BoI, the board’s resolution covered the waiver of import tariffs for replacement machinery.

On the proposed tax holiday, he said "The members of the board required more information as this is a big issue".

Finance Minister Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala is also a member of the board. A source said that the ministry considered that these affected plants are covered by insurance and that limited budget should better be allocated for investment in infrastructure.

The BoI board also gave a nod to the relocation of bonded raw materials from the prescribed sites.

Meanwhile, the Industry Ministry on Monday won approval for 4 out of 10 proposals to rehabilitate industrial estates from the Flood Recovery and Restoration Committee on Economy, Industry and Livelihood chaired by Kittirat. Totally, the 10 proposals will require a budget of Bt427 million, but the four projects will require Bt147 million. They would be forwarded for the Cabinet’s endorsement on Nov 8.

According to Industry Minister Wannarat Charnnukul, some of the unapproved projects included the measures to rehabilitate the environment in communities near inundated industrial estates.

-- The Nation 2011-11-07

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Hit-and-run slams Phuket woman off the road and into a ravine

Rain hampered efforts by the rescue team to recover Ms Jitra from the ravine. Photo: Sayun Thummaphun

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/510798-hit-and-run-slams-phuket-woman-off-the-road-and-into-a-ravine/page__view__findpost__p__4829903

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Fleeing Thai floods: Burmese migrant's story of extortion, threats (Reuters)http://t.co/5M9eEqIH/via@RichardBarrow

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Dr Seri apologised for being late -- two hours on the road coming from Thonburi side. OK, but just this once./via@terryfrd

Dr Seri says Bkk gov is dreaming if he thinks he's going to drain water off BKK streets in 10 days. Too much water still to come./via@terryfrd

Don't thank the big bag barrier for slower water flow coming into city. Thank the lower level of the Chao Phraya allowing greater inflow/via@terryfrd

Bang Su canal is still holding up flow at Ratchada, etc. Have to see how long it holds out. Thus, no talk of Sukhumvit tonight./via@terryfrd

On the Thonburi side water moving towards Rama 2 temporarily slowed by fields, but it will get there -- fairly quickly./via@terryfrd

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Akapol Sorasuchart, pres of Thai Conv. & Exhib. Bureau, at @fccthai: "I don't think the gov't is doing a very good job" with flooding./via@newley

Continued: Akapol at @fccthai: the government is "not saying the right things at the right times." /via@newley

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No ‘nipple gangs’ in Phuket: Police

Bangonrat Shinaprayoon, director of the Phuket office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), expressed concern about the impact on Phuket's tourism. Photo: Warisa Temram

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/510804-no-nipple-gangs-in-phuket-police/page__view__findpost__p__4829971

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Individuals close to the PM hint that she could be reconsidering scheduled appearance at APEC; announcement expected tomorrow/TAN_Network

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Reports of water coming out of drains on Srinakarin Rd near Soi On Nut RT @philipbkk:

http://t.co/6ULe6pS7/via@Richardbarrow

Don't make the mistake of thinking you will see the flood coming. It's jumping ahead by using the drains/via@Richardbarrow

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Rama II 'will be totally flooded'(Bangkok Post)

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FROC Press Briefing 9 P.M., November 7, 2011

UPDATE : 7 November 2011

Spokesperson of the Flood Relief Operations Center Thongthong Chantarangsu detailed FROC’s meeting with representatives of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administriation. FROC Chief Pracha Promnok met with the permanent secretary of the BMA and his deputy. The main issues discussed involved the access and procurement of water pumps requested by the BMA.

It has been concluded that a total of 48 high powered water pumps will be procured from foreign manufacturers. Meanwhile, an additional 23 pumps have been rounded up by the Interior and the Natural Resources and Environment ministries. Thongthong stressed that the total of 71 water pumps exceeds the BMA’s request of 60 pumps.

He went on to say that the 71 pumps will have a combined capacity of pumping 132 cubic meters of water per second. Again, the FROC spokesperson said it exceeds the BMA’s request for pumps with a total capacity of at least 120 cubic meters per second.

Delivery and installation of the acquired pumps will take place within the next couple of days. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will determine the exact location as to where these pumps will be placed.

In addition, Thongthong revealed that China will be offering Thailand 225 water pumps. He said that, these too will be given to the BMA for utilization. These pumps will be used to replace or relieve older existing pumps which have been running 24 hours a day for the past month.

The FROC spokesperson reiterated claims that the big bag barrier in the north of Bangkok is successfully slowing down runoff entering the city. However, he admitted flood water is spreading into a wider area.

In the east of the Chao Phraya River, Thongthong said water can now be seen on Vipavadee Rangsit Road past the Suthisarn Intersection. Paholyothin Road is carrying water into the stretch of the Bang Sue Canal.

As for the West, the area of Taweewattana has been largely affected by rising flood waters. Officials are closely monitoring the situation as water approaches Rama 2 Road. Thongthong stressed again that Transport Ministry officials are hurrying to clear Highway 9 and Highway 340 to use as alternative routes to southern Thailand should Rama 2 Road become inundated.

The spokesman of FROC repeated evacuation zones earlier announced by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. 12 districts have been completely evacuated, whereas partial evacuations have taken place in eight other districts. He urged the public to remain vigilant and follow the developments of the flood situation closely and move valuables to higher ground.

On the issue of allegations that the FROC has procured unusually high priced relief bags, Thongthong said an investigative committee has been set up. Its members consist of the permanent secretary of the Commerce Ministry and representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister, among others. He urged members of the public with any information as to irregularities in the procurement process to contact FROC at its hotline 1111.

On the situation involving the closure of roads, Thongthong said Vipavadee Rangsit Road is officially closed down to the Lad Prao Intersection. The Ratchadapisek Road is officially closed to the area in front of the Chao Phraya Park Hotel. He suggested residents call the traffic hotline at 1197 for updates on road closures.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-07

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Expert Seri: Water mass from the North will gradually flow into the city, impossible that Vibhavadi will be dry in 10 days. via @jin_nation/via@veen_NT

Expert Seri urges govt to protect Sinsakorn Industrial estate in Samut Sakorn. #ThaiPBS #Thaifloodeng. via @jin_nation/via@veen_NT

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Princess Chulabhorn says HM the King watched flood news for 5 straight hours and was so worried about Thai ppl. via @Neaw_NBC/via@tulsathit

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Motorcycle taxi in Lad Prao 35 has switched to provide a boat service at affordable price. TR @MrBanchahttp:http://t.co/vAnD11fA (via @trisdee)/via@veen_NT

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RT @arundhuti: @Tulip_Oum Ruamrudee Int'l School plans to re-open on Wed Nov 9 for the faculty &Thurs Nov 10 for the students

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Safari World faces floods with animals sharing same fate

Thailand's ‘Safari World’ open zoo and leisure park is among many places that have been damaged by floods. Although the damage doesn't cover its entire area, the site was finally closed temporarily due to all the inconveniences the floodwaters have caused.

Located in Klong Sam Wa district in northeast Bangkok, Safari World received overflowing water from Klong Sam Wa on Thursday night. The flood covered almost half of the zoo and park premises of some 500 rai of land, blocking all roads visitors use to watch the wildlife.

Almost the entirety of 'Safari Park', an open zoo, occupying the periphery and accounting for 50 per cent of Safari World, has been engulfed by floodwater of about one metre deep, while 'Marine Park', inside the complex, which occupies the rest of the area is still dry and has remained above water.

As a result of the flood, some animals from the open zoo, such as giraffes, rhinoceros, and zebras were moved to higher ground there, while others were relocated to temporarily be ‘housed’ in the Marine Park area, where the ground is about 1.5 metres higher.

The attempt to save the Marine Park by putting up sandbags, installing water pumps along with other measures is because the value of animals' lives is beyond calculation, whereas the machines used for looking after marine life are worth about Bt400 million.

Zoo executive vice president Litti Kewkacha said Safari World was prepared to deal with floodwaters and believed the situation will not worsen, as the water level has not risen.

Animal feeds are in stock to last for up to two months, and so far the animals there are still healthy, Litti said, despite the fact that their jam-packed living condition in the dry space can affect their health.

However, he insisted he would not move his animals to other places, for he cared for the animals' well-being and was concerned that tools and equipment used to look after animals elsewhere would not be as of good quality as those at Safari World.

"Although other areas can provide shelter for these animals, some of them can't live together because of their nature; for example, giraffes. This is their home. Safari World's giraffes can't live with giraffes from somewhere else. You'll need to build stalls for them anyway," said the zoo executive vice president.

"Animals feel like us humans, and they can be even more stressed when living outside their homes,” Litti said.

Many employees are affected by the flood as well. They have moved to stay at the zoo's office temporarily.

During this crisis, initial revenue losses are estimated at Bt150 million from the service closure. The figure hasn't yet included the lives of animals and the cost of replacing trees.

Safari World opened in 1988 and receives visitors from all over the world. It houses over a thousand of wild fauna and other animals from around the world at Safari Park, during normal situations, while the Marine Park has about 60,000 marine creatures and 10,000 birds.

Shares for the open zoo and leisure park were listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) in 1995 to become the first and only park listed on the country's bourse. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-11-07

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Remembrance Day

Each year, the Embassy holds a Remembrance Day service on the embassy compound. This year it will be held on Sunday 13th November. Anyone wishing to attend must book in advance with the British Embassy by emailing their details to [email protected].

Booking emails should include name/s of attendees, contact details, and a brief explanation of your interest in attending eg veteran etc. Photo ID will be requested on arrival at the British Embassy (Wireless Gate).

Please be aware that because of the flooding in Bangkok we have decided to scale down the ceremony on 13th. We will hold a short ceremony around the memorial for those who can make it and offer a chance to lay a wreath. There will be no bands, march past or reception afterwards as previously advertised. Unfortunately there will also be no tents as they are all out on flood relief. We can offer chairs for those who need them but it will be a basic service allowing people to pay their respects.

Attendees should arrive by 1020 at the latest and take their seats by 1040.

Car parking is not permitted inside the Embassy compound:

Please park in either Wave Place on Wireless Road or Central Department Store on Ploenchit Road and make your way to the Embassy on foot. Entry/Exit is via the Wireless Road gate only.

Dress Code:

Military participants should wear appropriate uniform. Gentlemen should wear lounge suits, with medals if applicable. Ladies are asked to be suitably attired.

Electronic Items:

Mobile phones should be switched off for the duration of the service. Use of cameras will be restricted to the area of the service only. You are requested to comply with any signs / instructions from staff not to use them in other areas.

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PM to push for all-free expressway use during this flood crisis./via@tulsathit

RT @tukky_nt: 10.11pm: Floodwater has reached Vibhavadi 12, not far from Sutthisarn-Vibhavadi intersection #ch3 /via@tulsathit

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Thailand Live Tuesday 8 Nov 2011

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