Thailand Live Tuesday 8 Nov 2011

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Thailand Live Tuesday 8 November 2011

News, Bits and Tweets

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Keep up to date with live updates from the news, hour by hour.

For breaking news,national, regional and international news updates on a daily basis only, this thread is closed to commentary so that those who wish to follow the news can find it here...

Commentary is still open for Thailand news in the relevant thread posted in News Clippings.

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Related topic: Thailand Live Monday 7 Nov 2011

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Today's Thailand weather and forecasts:

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Health warnings stepped up: Thailand flood

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FLOOD CRISIS

More residents ordered out

The Nation

Key link to South under threat, as more water pumps delivered to BMA

Flooding yesterday forced the evacuation of more Bangkok residents and threatened to cut Rama II, another key inter-provincial road.

The latest evacuation order was issued to people in Bang Chan, in Bangkok's Klong Sam Wa district.

To date, evacuation orders have affected 15 of Bangkok's 50 districts. Flooding is so serious in at least 12 districts that all residents have been advised to leave their homes.

But not all residents have agreed to move out of their homes in spite of the record flood and evacuation orders.

Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra said yesterday that some 800,000 people had chosen to stay in seriously flooded areas.

"We are trying to help them by delivering relief items," he explained.

Inundation has shown no signs of easing in the capital. On Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road, floodwater has already reached the Thai Rath newspaper office.

On Phaholyothin Road, it has already covered the area in front of Channel 7 TV station.

Although Skytrain services continue to operate as normal, passengers have found it hard to get buses to their destination after reaching Mor Chit station in the flooded Chatuchak district.

Run-off water from the north of the country has caused Bang Sue Canal to overflow in some areas. Some lanes of Ratchadaphisek Road, for example, had about 10cm of water.

On Lat Phrao Road, floodwater was much deeper. At Paowana Intersection, the water was about 80cm deep. Even buses were found stalled in the high water.

In Bangkok's east, officials at Bang Chan Industrial Estate were trying to pump out water that began to seep in.

In Bangkok's west, water on Phetkasem Road was heading toward Tha Phra Intersection. On the Ekachai-Bang Bon Road, water was about 15cm deep.

Floodwater was also heading toward Rama II Road, which serves as a main link between the capital and the South.

Motorists have already had to switch from major routes to secondary, circuitous roads to go to other parts of the country.

If Rama II is cut to traffic, transport between the South and other parts of the country will be much more difficult.

Deputy Bangkok City Clerk Jumpol Sampaopon, however, gave hope to people affected by the flood, saying it would end soon with the arrival of more pumps.

"We are due to get 71 pumps from the Flood Relief Operations Centre (Froc) today and will get 500 more from China soon," he said at a press conference.

He explained the installation of pumps at key spots would direct water to main canals like Thanon, Premprachakorn, Saen Saeb, Samsen, Bang Sue and Bang Khen.

"With cooperation from people and damming to prevent the influx of more run-off water from the northern part, we should be able to control the situation in 10 days," Jumpol said.

Also at the press conference was Froc director Pol General Pracha Promnok, who is also the justice minister.

Pracha said Froc and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) were working closely to try to drain floodwater out of Bangkok as fast as possible.

"We are channelling run-off water from the upper part of the country to the east and using pumps to drain floodwater in the capital," he said.

Pracha said Froc had spent between Bt40-50 million on pumps for the BMA. Some pumps from China had been bought while others were donated by China.

He said when all pumps were working, the authorities should be able to deliver good news to Bangkok residents.

Meanwhile, officials at the Hydrographic Department, said the Chao Phraya River level in Bangkok had risen from 1.63 metres to 2.07 metres above normal sea level.

-- The Nation 2011-11-08

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No ‘Nipple Gangs’ In Phuket: Police

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Reports of possible corruption upset volunteers: Thailand flood

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BURNING ISSUE

Political will to minimise flood impacts is lacking: Thai opinion

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TRANSPORT

City bus services curtailed; subway stations monitored

The Nation

The Bangkok Metropolitan Transport Authority (BMTA) yesterday suspended bus services from the Lat Phrao Intersection to Soi Chokechai 4 due to flooding, while privately run buses such as Route 8 would run as far as Soi Pavana.

The BTS Skytrain and MRT subway services were running normally yesterday, but MRT officials added Chatuchak and Khamphaeng Phetch stations to its watch list, which already included Phaholyothin, Ratchadapisek and Lat Phrao stations.

The Metropolitan Police Traffic Command yesterday announced flood-related closures of sections of another six roads: Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road to the Khlong Bang Sue Bridge; Phaholyothin Road to the Khlong Bang Sue Bridge; Lat Phrao Road to Soi Lat Phrao 48; Ratchadapisek Road from Ratchawipa Elevated Way to the Chao Phraya Park Hotel; Navamin Road from the 8 km marker of Ram Inthra Road to Khlong Lat Phrao Bridge; and Ram Inthra Road from Bang Khen Roundabout to the 5 km marker of Ram Inthra.

Motorists were also advised to avoid five roads flooded to knee-height; Phaholyothin Road from Khlong Bang Sue Bridge to Saphan Kwai Intersection; Lat Phrao Road from Soi Lat Phrao 48 to Chokechai Intersection; Vibhavadi Road from Khlong Bang Sue to Sutthisarn Intersection; Sukhaphibal 1 from Soi 147 to Prasert Manoonkit Road; and Ram Inthra Road from the 5 km to the 8 km marker.

-- The Nation 2011-11-08

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Business as usual at TMB, SCB head offices

THE NATION

Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) and TMB Bank have maintained normal operations at their head offices in the Ratchayothin and Chatuchak areas.

Yesterday, SCB implemented a multi-centre operations policy as part of its business-continuity plan. As only 500 staff now man major tasks at SCB Park at Ratchayothin, others now are working at back-up centres in the Chidlom, Chaeng Wattana, Sukhumvit and Rama IV areas.

All customers can be assured of smooth services through branch and ATM networks, online services and business centres, president Kannikar Chalitaporn said.

SCB Park remains safe from the flood, she said.

Since October 20, the bank has reopened some provincial branches that were temporarily closed because of the floods.

TMB Bank president Boontuck Wangcharoen said the Phaholyothin building was protected and unaffected by the flooding.

"However, our priorities are to ensure that customers continue to receive full banking service from TMB and that all staff members are safe during the current situation," he said.

More than 400 TMB branches are operating as usual, while about 10 per cent of its automated teller machines are turned off. The bank also urged customers to use more Internet banking services.

Some head office employees are now working at back-up offices, such as the one on Silom Road. Some also work from home. Employees with flooded residences are allowed to take days off, which are not considered "official" leave.

However, 64 more bank branches were closed as the flood spread to the Chatuchak, Ram-Intra and Ratchadaphisek areas.

According to the Bank of Thailand, this brought the total to 620 branches in eight provinces, with 333 in Bangkok. Altogether 149 branches are closed in Pathum Thani, 68 in Nonthaburi and 31 in Nakhon Pathom.

-- The Nation 2011-11-08

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Changing the PM won't solve flood crisis, Thai senators say

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Bt5,000 compensation for each flood-affected household

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STREET WISE

Occasional gems light up our day, help preserve our sanity: Thai opinion

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Bangkok: Further flooding on Rama II road

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Students' uniform requirement eased

The Nation

The secretary-general of the Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec), Dr Chinnapat Phumirat, said yesterday that he would instruct officials at flood-affected schools via a videoconference today(Nov8) to let students wear plain clothes to school for the second semester.

Chinnapat said officials would also allow students whose homes were flooded or who faced travelling difficulties to shelter at their schools. Officials would be asked to assess flood damages at their schools and estimate repair costs.

He said he would also ask the Sri Ayuthaya School - and possibly Rachawinit primary and secondary schools - to function as shelters for 150 flood-affected Obec officials, providing breakfast and dinner as well as transport to and from work.

While general schools are due to begin their second semester on November 15, schools in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and four districts of Nakhon Pathom would delay the opening date to November 21, the Education Ministry announced, adding that this could be postponed further if floods persisted.

-- The Nation 2011-11-08

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Universities announce start of new term

THE NATION

Flood-affected universities are postponing the start of their second semesters to as early as Friday for Ramkhamhaeng and as late as January 6 for Thammasat's Rangsit campus.

Next Monday will be the beginning of the new term for Chulalongkorn, Kasetsart, King Mongkut's University of Technology of North Bangkok, Srinakharinwirot, Assumption, Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Chandrakasem Rajabhat, Phranakhon Rajabhat and Suan Dusit Rajabhat.

Burapha and Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat will hold their first classes next Tuesday and Suan Sunandha Rajabhat on November 18.

King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Dhurakij Pundit and Dhonburi Rajabhat will reopen on November 21; Bangkok, Silpakorn and Sripatum on November 28; and King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi on December 1.

Mahidol and Rangsit have not yet set their new dates.

If there are further delays, the universities will inform the public.

Schools in 13 provinces suffering from floods have been instructed to resume services next Tuesday.

-- The Nation 2011-11-08

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Budget sought to repair ancient Ayutthaya sites

SAMRIT JEAMJARUANPORNKUL

THE NATION

The Culture Ministry will ask the Cabinet tomorrow for an initial budget of Bt1.4 billion to rehabilitate flooded ancient sites in Ayutthaya, especially on the city's island.

Unesco is sending international engineering experts to survey the structural integrity of the historical sites, as they are feared at risk of collapsing from prolonged submersion.

Supoj Phrommanote, director of Fine Arts Office 3, said after meeting with Culture Minister Sukumol Kunplome at the Sam Phraya National Museum yesterday morning that most sites were severely damaged, especially Chaiwatthanaram Temple, which was swamped by 50 centimetres of water.

Other temples badly hit were Phra Si Sanphet, Phra Ram, Mahathat, Ratburana, Langka and Khun Meeuang Jai.

Repairing them would require Bt700 million to Bt800 million, so the provincial and local bodies agreed to prioritise the key tourist attractions, including Vihara Phramongkolbopitr and Phra Si Sanphet Temple. They should be restored in three months, Supoj said.

Anek Sihamat, deputy director-general of the Fine Arts Department, said the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation would send engineers from the Netherlands, Japan and India to work with the Engineering Institute of Thailand in assessing the flood damage to the ancient sites' structure from November 27 to December 1.

They will also study long-term flood solutions and assist in the renovation plan, he added.

Sukumol said the process would start with cleaning and re-landscaping. Of the initial budget, Bt600 million would go to the restoration of 127 Ayutthaya ancient sites in one year, while the rest would go to restoration of other ancient sites, the Bunditpatanasilpa Institute, and the ministry's Permanent Secretary's Office and Religious Affairs Department.

The long-term plans will need further discussion, she said.

She is scheduled to join the launch on Thursday of the "Big Cleaning Day" campaign for World Heritage Sites.

-- The Nation 2011-11-08

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More courts to take week off

The Nation

Due to the flooding, Supreme Court President Montri Yodpanya has issued an order expanding previously announced holiday closures through Friday(November 11) to cover court offices in Bangkok's Thong Buri area

and the Chief Judge's Office of the Court of Appeal Region IX, Judicial Office Acting Secretary-General Saravuth Benjakul said yesterday.

As a result, all courts in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani will be closed, he said. Montri earlier declared yesterday through Friday as special holidays for the Supreme Court due to the flooding.

-- The Nation 2011-11-08

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Ministry provides cheap consumer goods

The Nation

The Commerce Ministry's Department of Internal Trade has arranged for Blue Flag mobile units to sell consumer goods at low prices to flood victims at 12 locations.

These include: in front of Major Hollywood Pakkred; under the Rama IV Bridge; Khlong Kum Niwet Housing Estate; Huai Kwang's Thepthawee community; Nonthaburi's Wat Sai Yai; Wat Ladpladuk in Nonthaburi's Bang Bua Thong district; Soi Ram Inthra 14; Bangkok Yai district office; and Bangkok Noi's Bang Khun Non Intersection.

Commerce permanent secretary Yanyong Phuangrach also urged consumers to call the 1569 hotline if they encountered incidents of overcharging.

In related news, PTT executive vice president Saran Rangkhasiri said the firm has designated 14 stations to sell cooking gas to flood victims in Bangkok and nearby areas. For details, visit www.pttplc.com.

-- The Nation 2011-11-08

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Thailand is Open for Business

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Michael Jackson's personal physician convicted of involuntary manslaughter:

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Announcement

November 7, 2011

Dear Passengers,

Bangkok Airways, Head Office on Vibhavadirangsit Road in the flooded area, is closed during 7 – 9 November 2011. However, Bangkok Airways reservation center, other offices, online reservations and Bangkok Airways flights are currently servicing as usual.

We are sorry for your inconvenience.

Yours truly,

Bangkok Airways Co., Ltd.

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7 พฤศจิกายน 2544

เรียน ท่านผู้โดยสาร

สายการบินบางกอกแอร์เวย์ส สำนักงานใหญ่บนถนนวิภาวดีรังสิต หยุดทำการตั้งแต่วันที่ 7-9 พฤศจิกายน 2554 เนื่องจากได้

รับผลกระทบจากสภาพน้ำท่วมในพื้นที่ อย่างไรก็ดี ผู้โดยสารสามารถติดต่อทางสายการบินได้ผ่านทางเว็บไซต์ สำนักงานขายของ

บางกอกแอร์เวย์ส ศูนย์สำรองที่นั่งทางโทรศัพท์ สายการบินบางกอกแอร์เวย์สยังคงให้บริการบินตามปกติในทุกเส้นทาง

ขอแสดงความนับถือ

สายการบินบางกอกแอร์เวย์ส

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5 of 8 pumps at Khlong Bang Sue out of order; Water on Vibhavadi Rd arriving at Suthisarn /MCOT

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RT @suthichai: PM Yingluck will announce today whether she is attending Apec Summit in Honolulu, Nov 12-14

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RT @RungthipThaiPBS: Business as usual, Siam square, Pathumwan District is still flood-free area in Bangkok

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every MRT stations open and operate as usual. 6am-24pm RT @MRT_BMCL: 07.30 น. รถไฟฟ้า MRT เปิืดให้บริการปกติทุกสถานีตั้งแต่เวลา 06.00 - 24.00 น.

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MRT, BTS and Mor Chit 2 are operating as normal today. (AM) /TANN

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RT @Tulip_Oum: PM has cancelled the trip to attend APEC in Honolulu, USA on Nov 12 - 15. But still attend ASEAN summit in Bali. (via fm 96.5)

PM expected to hold a press conf at 1PM today on plans to rebuild and support post-flood industrial sector. /TANN

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Bangkok governor announces more evacuation areas in Lat Phrao district

BANGKOK, Nov 8 -- Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra on Monday declared more evacuation zones in Lat Phrao district as floodwaters keep rising, while more areas were put under closed monitoring for possible evacuation.

The governor said the additional evacuation zones in Lat Phrao district comprised all of Chorakhe Bua subdistrict, and Lat Phrao subdistrict along Lat Phrao canal only until four roads -- Lat Pla, Lat Phrao-Wang Hin, the northern part of Prasert Manukij, and Sena Nikom roads.

Residents of those areas should move to the shelters provided by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), he advised.

Mr Sukhumbhand also announced special monitoring areas in Huai Khwang district and the community along Lat Phrao canal.

Those living in the monitoring areas should move their valuables to higher ground and be ready to move out to safer areas, he said.

The Bangkok governor earlier Monday issued an evacuation advisory notice for Bangchan subdistrict of Khlong Sam Wa, bringing the total number of 12 districts under evacuation recommendations. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-11-08

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Disease Control advises women not to wade in flood water due to higher risk of infections. Wear plastic pants or wash asap /TANN

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Disease Risk in Floodwater (BNH Hospital): http://www.bnhhospital.com/en/newsdetail.aspx?id=155