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Thailand Live Wednesday 9 Nov 2011


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Thailand Live Wednesday 9 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 Tuesday 8 Nov 2011

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ROYAL CONCERN

HM concerned about his people: Army chief

PANYA THIEWSANGWAN

THE NATION

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His Majesty the King is concerned about flood victims and wants to see the deluge drained away soon, Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said yesterday.

His Majesty has proffered advice and granted audiences to the government to consult with him, the general said. All Thais, out of gratitude, should express their best wishes for the beloved monarch's quick recovery, he said.

What most people need is assistance during the inundation, especially those having to continue to go to work, he said. The Army has been providing transport services to affected people, though that sometimes wasn't sufficient because it has only 2,000 vehicles, and some have to be rotated for maintenance.

The Army has asked the National Flood Relief Operations Centre for more vehicles.

Food and bottled water distribution can't cover all flood victims. While it is easy to take care of those living in temporary shelters, officials have difficulty in reaching others remaining in their homes in scattered locations. Most complaints come from this group.

Besides implementing policies from above, the Army also initiates its own projects, based on its inquiries into people's problems.

The Army still needs to work on water management, people management for transport and meals, promotion of the maximum use of flood relief items, and integration of state agencies to tackle issues.

Everyone in politics, the Armed Forces, police force and the public must work together to do their jobs. The Army isn't the sole hero. It is just well equipped with manpower and tools, which can be commanded due to its relationship within the military, Prayuth said.

Post-flood rehabilitation - with the government in charge - should comprise short-, mid- and long-term plans. They should include solutions for unemployment and household income.

The Army will gather information and make suggestions, but won't interfere with each ministry's work, he added.

nationlogo.jpg

-- The Nation 2011-11-09

Posted

AFTERMATH

Bt3.1 bn earmarked to provide compensation

The Nation

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The Cabinet yesterday approved Bt3.1 billion to be spent on compensation for flood-hit Bangkok residents.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has been instructed to look into people's eligibility for compensation within two weeks, with each eligible family entitled to Bt5,000.

"Within 45 days, compensation should reach the eligible people," deputy government spokeswoman Anuttama Amornwiwat said yesterday.

She added that preliminary information shows 621,355 families in Bangkok had suffered from the floods. However, only families whose houses have been submerged by flash floods or left swamped for at least seven consecutive days, which has damaged their properties, are eligible for compensation.

"Only residents in disaster-hit areas, as declared by the BMA, claim compensation from the government," Anuttama said.

nationlogo.jpg

-- The Nation 2011-11-09

Posted

EM balls effective: academics

The Nation

Photo : Sukul Kerdnaimongkol

30169514-01.jpg

EM balls can control pollution in flood water, experts at Srinakharinwirot University said yesterday.

"They are effective," Assoc Prof Sumalee Leungsakul said. She is the dean of the university's Faculty of Culture, Environment and Eco-tourism.

Sumalee said her university was now handing out the effective micro-organism balls to flood victims. The Tamaka sugar factory in Kanchanaburi has donated molasses for their production.

Many Bangkok residents have sought EM balls to tackle the filthy, smelly flood water around their homes, but their effectiveness has been questioned in recent days.

Dr Sanong Thongpan, who has had eight years of experience in treating polluted water for Srinakharin-wirot University, agrees that the EM balls are effective.

"It's just that the micro-organisms used for them must have the ability to dispose of starch, fat and protein in flood water. Their micro-organisms must be from the bacillus subtilis and nitro-factor groups," he said.

Sanong said users should break up the EM balls into small bits before throwing them into the flood water.

"For every 10 cubic metres of water, you should use just two EM balls," he said, "If you use them correctly, water quality should improve within one week".

nationlogo.jpg

-- The Nation 2011-11-09

Posted

'Flood waters not for krathongs'

The Nation

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Authorities have warned Bangkok residents against floating their krathongs in flood water.

Krathongs are decorative floats that Thais have for centuries floated on the night of Loy Krathong, one of the country's most colourful festivals. This year, the Loy Krathong festival falls tomorrow.

However, millions of Bangkok residents are now surrounded by flood water and many may be tempted to launch their floats in front of their inundated homes, a move that many agencies fear could cause fire.

People usually light candles on their krathongs.

"If your floats get trapped in a house and cause fire, you will face legal action," Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner Maj-General Amnuay Nimmano warned.

He said revellers should strictly float their krathongs in prepared areas only.

Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra said the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) would open unaffected public parks for the Loy Krathong festival so that people could celebrate a centuries-old tradition.

According to a senior BMA official, up to 16 public parks will be open for the Loy Krathong Festival, including Lumpini, Benjakiti and Benjasiri parks.

"Don't float krathongs from your flooded houses as that might cause fires," Sukhumbhand warned.

He also advised people against floating krathongs in the Chao Phraya River and canals with strong currents.

"It can be dangerous," the governor warned.

nationlogo.jpg

-- The Nation 2011-11-09

Posted

Tollways now free

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

Motorists can use the entire expressway system for no charge from today until November 20 to help free up travel around Bangkok.

The Cabinet yesterday waived all expressway fees, including Chalerm Mahanakorn Expressway (First Stage system), Si Rat Expressway (Second Stage system), and Udon Ratthaya Expressway (Bang Pa-In-Pak Kret). The government will pay compensation to the Bangkok Expressway Company (BECL) for cancelling fees of Bt184 million on these three expressways.

Earlier, fees were waived for motorists using Chalongrat Expressway (Ram-Indra-Art Narong), Burapavithi Expressway (Bang Na-Chon Buri), and Kanchanapisek Expressway.

nationlogo.jpg

-- The Nation 2011-11-09

Posted

Disease scare prompts advice to boil tap water

THE NATION

30169524-01.JPG

Boiling tap water before drinking it is strongly advised for people living in flooded areas, after 72 cases of diarrhoea were reported at a Nonthaburi condominium.

Drinkers are also advised to select bottled water certified by the Food and Drugs Administration or to drink from filters or purifiers certified by industrial standards, said the Department of Disease Control (DDC).

A Department investigation into the 72 cases, found that each person had drunk tap water without boiling it. Boiling should be for five minutes and chlorine is provided free at the DDC, said a Department official.

Salmonella bacteria were found in a few of the tap water samples collected, "but it is in such small amounts that it is not considered dangerous," said DDC director-general Dr Phornthep Siriwanarangsan.

A department adviser, Dr Sopon Iamsirithavorn, said the contamination of tap water at the condo was likely caused by water from the Prapa canal being mixed with floodwater.

Since tap water tanks at the condo were flushed, and new supplies mixed with chlorine, no further cases of diarrhoea have been reported.

People who suffering dehydration due to diarrhoea are advised to drink 750cc of clean water mixed with five teaspoons of sugar and half a teaspoon of salt.

"If the diarrhoea persists, or vomiting and bloodied bowel movements are found, they should consult a doctor," said Sopon.

nationlogo.jpg

-- The Nation 2011-11-09

Posted

Help offered to flood-hit workers

The Nation

30169521-01.jpg

As water levels drop in Ayutthaya, more than 33,000 of the 280,000-plus employees who had to stop working due to floods are returning to work, the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare said yesterday.

The 33,892 are employed at 25 factories which are resuming operations, while most businesses have informed the department that they would rehire the remaining workers, the department's director-general Arthit Issamo said. Arthit did not provide figures for all the flood-hit factories.

However, details from 14 of the 32 flood-affected provinces show that the livelihoods of 819,147 workers from 20,526 businesses are under threat. In Bangkok alone, 6,474 businesses with 109,602 workers are affected.

Under a new department policy, 465 businesses in 40 provinces have registered for 57,692 new workers, he said.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has offered a four-point solution to help those who have lost their jobs due to flooding: immediate employment in new workplaces; subsidy for those without a job after the floods; training in new fields; and assistance for SMEs.

ILO officials in Thailand will conduct a survey in Ayutthaya on November 15 and 16 to gather information and help bring together businesses in trouble and relevant agencies.

Arthit said the ILO had helped with mass employment in many post-disaster situations, including the tsunami in Thailand and Indonesia and an earthquake in China.

nationlogo.jpg

-- The Nation 2011-11-09

Posted

Art therapy to help victims cope better

The Nation

University helps those affected through recreational activities

Srinakharinwirot University and its partners are offering art therapy for people suffering from the severe flooding.

"People are shocked, scared and worried," Asst Prof Sineenart Laedpriwan, dean of the university's Faculty of Fine Arts, said yesterday.

Srinakharinwirot University has launched its More Help, More Hope project to rehabilitate flood victims' mental health in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister, the Office of Consumer Protection Board, Toyota Motor Thailand and Unesco Thailand.

Implemented in Rajamangala

The project is initially being implemented at the Rajamangala National Stadium evacuation centre, before it expands to other shelters later.

According to Sineenart, lecturers, students, alumni and staff, as well as local and foreign volunteers, have been contributing to the project by engaging flood victims in constructive activities such as drawing, T-shirt painting, dancing and various other forms of recreation.

"We have divided the flood victims [at the stadium] into three groups," Sineenart disclosed, adding that the first group comprised those said to be clinically depressed. She added that without proper attention and care, these people might end up hurting themselves or others. "For this group, we offer art therapy and counselling," she explained.

The second group comprises people who are worried but not clinically depressed. "We have organised performances to keep their minds off their worries," Sineenart said

The third group is made up of people worried about the future and loss of income.

She said surveys would be conducted to determine the livelihoods lost and attempts will be made to find alternative jobs so those affected could start their lives over again once the floods end.

"We will organise vocational training courses in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister," she said.

The More Help More Hope project will also put artistic creations by children affected by the floods on the market, and all proceeds will go directly to the young creators or to charity.

"There will be no price tags, people can give what they want for the stuff. Also, there will be greeting cards for the upcoming holiday season," she said.

These will be available at many banks and airports, including Suvarnabhumi.

nationlogo.jpg

-- The Nation 2011-11-09

Posted

TAT seeks Bt300m for rehab activities

Suchat Sritama

The Nation

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The Tourism Authority of Thailand is asking the government for an extra budget of Bt300 million to run rehabilitation events, although the Loy Krathong festival had to be postponed in Bangkok, Ayutthaya and Suphan Buri.

"TAT will continue many events with the hope of helping restore domestic tourism after the flooding," Vilaiwan Twichasri, TAT's new deputy governor for tourism products and business, said yesterday.

About 185 tourist attractions in 15 provinces have been affected by the disaster, he said.

TAT is planning to use Bt125 million to support events in the provinces from next month to early next year including the New Year Countdown, Chinese New Year, Light Festival and Ice Dome in Hat Yai, Balloon Festival in Chiang Mai and Music and Dance Festival in Phuket.

The remaining Bt175 million is earmarked for special fairs and additional events such as a medical and spa expo. They will focus on the high-end market, which has largely escaped the flooding.

Cross-region travel will be promoted to help restore tourism especially in Bangkok and the Central region.

Many events are planned to help rebuild affected areas.

Loy Krathong is still on schedule in many other provinces such as Sukhothai, Tak, Chiang Mai, Samut Songkhram and Phitsanulok, as well as Hat Yai in Songkhla.

The Central region has had the most flood-hit attractions with 161, followed by 22 in the North and two in the Northeast. Only the South is still safe from flooding.

Tourism recovery plans will continue in 2012 with new campaigns called "Creative Tourism - Only Place in the World" and "Gap Year Travellers".

Creative Tourism is aimed at encouraging locals and foreigners to visit attractions for the purposes of learning about and understanding places that have no equivalent in other counties.

A Thai-boxing campus and Thai-cooking school will be promoted in the first phase.

Gap Year Traveller will approach new graduates or

middle-aged professionals in the United States, Europe, Japan, the United Kingdom and Australia who want to take a one-year sabbatical to Thailand.

Singapore and Malaysia are likely to move ahead of Thailand in this niche market with projects created specifically to lure this group.

nationlogo.jpg

-- The Nation 2011-11-09

Posted

Vibhavadi Rd flood is five metres from Sutthisarn intersection; flood flows into Marketing Organisation for Farmers on Phahonyiothin Rd; More water at PM's Bueng Kum home /MCOT

Posted

9.11am: Rama9 tunnel now helps draining water or Bangkapi would hv flooded already;but still under threat:district chief #TNN

Military vehicles available 7AM – 10PM Ratchadapisek Rd (Front of Chao Phraya Park)-Ratchayothin Inters'n-Lad Prao Junction /TANN

Posted

RT @tukky_nt: 9.17am: Floodwater in front of Lao Peng Nguan bld.(Springnews) on Vibhavadi outbound is 60-70 cm high. TR @policespokesman #ThaiFloodEng

Posted

RT @tukky_nt: 9.25am: 200 metres from here to Sutthisarn-Vibhavadi intersection (inbound) http://bit.ly/vjpCW4

RT @tulsathit: TR @Neaw_NBC: Education minister says many schools, universities may reopen LATE Jan due to heavy flood damage. #smsThairath

RT @RichardBarrow: Metropolitan Police: Anyone caught looting during the floods will face penalties twice as harsh as normal

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