Thailand Live Monday 14 Nov 2011

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Belgian killed in east Pattaya road crash

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Thai Govt to Brief World on Flood Recovery Plan

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FLOOD CRISIS

Water dispensing centres set up for flood-hit victims

The Nation

The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority has set up 500 water dispensing centres across Bangkok to help flood victims.

Wikrom Suwanchomphu, an assistant governor, said the MWA could produce and supply tap water to some 10 million people as usual.

It has improved tap water quality to meet World Health Organisation standards.

The 500 distribution outlets are located at refugee shelters and MWA's offices - except those in Bang Bua Thong, Bangkok Noi and Phasee Charoen.

People could bring containers to get the drinking water for their use.

Some heavytraffic points such as The Mall Ngam Wongwan would also hand out fivelitre water bags, he added.

Call the hotline 1125 for details.

-- The Nation 2011-11-14

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AFP: Flood-Weary Residents Lash Out In Bangkok

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All BMA Schools to Start New Semester on Dec 1

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has announced that all 436 schools under its jurisdiction will start the second school semester on December 1, 2011. The start of the new term was postponed from mid-November due to widespread flooding in Bangkok.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-14

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SET index closed at 984.28, up 13.31; Bt/USD30.67; GBP48.95; AUD31.35; EUR41.94; CAD30.00; HKD3.94; SGD23.71; JPY39.57

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Wearing a bright yellow shirt with a white rose design, HM the King came to Siriraj Hospital's ground floor to show well wishers his improving health /MCOT

Long Live the King. HM the King came to Siriraj Hospital's ground floor: http://bit.ly/va78Sj via @yoware RT @tukky_nt

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(5 PM) All MRT stations operating normally 6 AM - midnight via @MRT_BMCL /TANN

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Future Park Rangsit to re-open on Nov 18

The Nation

After a month of closure, Future Park Rangsit - a major shopping complex in the North of Bangkok - will re-open its doors as flood level recedes.

It was closed on Oct 19.

Pimpaka Wangle, managing director of Rangsit Plaza Co Ltd - the developer of the shopping complex, said that the re-opening is aimed at alleviating difficulties to shoppers in nearby areas.

The area remains flooded with, but with lower water level.

-- The Nation 2011-11-14

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Dutch offer assistance with water management

The Dutch Ambassador and a team of water management experts from The Netherlands met Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and the 10-strong Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management at Government House Monday to discuss possible solutions to Thailand's flood crisis.

Committee member Dr Anond Snidwong na Ayudhaya revealed it was initially concluded that a water seminar be hosted early next year and Thai social experts such as Chulalongkorn University (CU) political scientist Surachai Wankaew be invited to join the water resources body.

Dutch Ambassador Johannes Andries Boer led a team of water management experts from the Netherlands to talk with Yingluck

-- The Nation 2011-11-14

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Gas Stations to Reopen after Floods Recede

The energy minister affirms that petrol stations in flooded areas will be able to resume service immediately after the flood situation improves.

He ensures that the flood will not affect the oil quality.

Energy Minister Pichai Nariptapan disclosed that petrol stations in flooded areas can provide regular service after the flood crisis abates.

He insisted that the quality of petrol sold is still up to standard because flood prevention plans have been put in place to protect fuel tanks from floodwater.

Today, the minister visited the NGV gas station at the Rojana Industrial Estate which has resumed service.

In the meantime, gas stations in Nakhon Sawan and Phitsanulok provinces are rushing to clean up their premises now that floods have receded.

The minister assured that there will not be any shortage of oil, gas and electricity as the ministry has prepared a backup plan to address any possible shortage.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-14

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Suvarnabhumi Airport not affected by flooding

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BMA alerts people in Saphan Soong sub-district, Khlong Tubchang Lang, Baan Ma Koh Lang, Kahanakhon to move belonging to high ground and follow news./via@veen_NT

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tukky_nt

7.28pm: More evacuation order for residents in Soi Intamara 1-31, Soi Pradiphat 1-25, Soi Phaholyothin 15 due to high flood in Klong Bang Sue TR @pr_bangkok #thaifloodEng/via/2veen_nt

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FLOOD CRISIS

Water dispensing centres set up for flood-hit victims

The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority has set up 500 water dispensing centres across Bangkok to help flood victims.

Wikrom Suwanchomphu, an assistant governor, said the MWA could produce and supply tap water to some 10 million people as usual.

It has improved tap water quality to meet World Health Organisation standards.

The 500 distribution outlets are located at refugee shelters and MWA's offices - except those in Bang Bua Thong, Bangkok Noi and Phasee Charoen.

People could bring containers to get the drinking water for their use.

Some heavytraffic points such as The Mall Ngam Wongwan would also hand out fivelitre water bags, he added.

Call the hotline 1125 for details.

-- The Nation 2011-11-14

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Japanese automakers resume limited production in Thailand

BANGKOK, Nov 14 - Leading Japanese automakers on Monday announced the partial resumption of production in Thailand after being forced to halt operations for over a month due to the country's worst flooding in decades, which disrupted their parts supply.

Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) president Nobuyuki Murahashi said his factory suspended production from Oct 14 through yesterday (Nov 13) and lost the ability to produce 23,000 units.

Production resumed today, he said, and the plant will operate seven days a week beginning in January, with and 15,000 units targeted for production by March. Even with the weekend workdays, he said, the company faces a loss of 8,000 units.

The company earlier targeted the production of 250,000 units for the year 2011, he said.

Mr Nobuyuki attributed today's renewed production to cooperation from many parties.

He elaborated that flood-hit autoparts suppliers requested their subsidiaries in other countries, such as India and Indonesia, to supply components to Mitsubishi’s Thailand operations, while the mother company in Japan is also providing some missing components.

Despite severe flooding, the Japanese automaker expressed confidence in continuing its investment in the kingdom.

"Mitsubishi has invested in Thailand for 40 years,” Mr Nobuyuki emphasised. “We are not thinking of relocating our production base because of the flooding.

“We believe that the flood-prevention plan outlined by the Thai government and private sector will be effective,” he stated, adding that his company will discuss with supply chain companies acquiring autoparts from varied sources to prevent similar disruptions in the future.

Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) vice president Suwit Benjathikul said on Monday that the company relies on parts produced in Thailand for 80-90 per cent of its production, and many parts factories in Pathum Thani province, immediately north of Bangkok, were submerged.

However, he said some of them already resumed operation, while other informed that they could restart production by mid-December.

Other Japanese carmakers also resumed production today, including Ford, Mazda, and Nissan, but not yet at full capacity as local autoparts suppliers must share in the distribution of a limited number of items to the companies, the company executive said.

Agence-France-Presse (AFP) news agency reported that Honda also resumed production of some motorcycle and power product models at its Ladkrabang factory after operations were suspended by the disruption of parts supply since early October.

However, the Honda factory in Ayutthaya province, severely hit earlier by floodwaters, remains closed.

Toyota said it would resume production, halted since Oct 10, from Nov 21 at three plants in Thailand. (MCOT online,

-- TNA 2011-11-14

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Dr Seri: If Bang Chan and Lad Krabang can hold on for 5 more days, both industrial estates should survive./via@tulsathit

Dr Seri & Dutch experts met w. PM today. Experts stressed the need for timely & accurate information for residents in flood-prone areas./via@terryfrd

To West, a problem developing, Dr Seri says as area beyond Rama 2 fills w. water. Canals there are deadends, so no place for water to drain/via@terryfrd

When area fills in about 10 days, Dr Seri says, Rama 2 is in trouble because water level will rise./via@terryfrd

Dr Seri: Whether "compromise gap" in big bag barrier will have negative impact dpend on whether BMA has pumping capacity to match more water/via@tulsathit

On BKK side, there's an unexplained problem at Khlong Bang Sue where there are some overflows. Pump capacity adequate so needs checking out/via@terryfrd

Khlong Bang Sue was down this morning, so Dr Seri is not sure what happened to cause overflows in some areas. Shouldn't happen./via@terryfrd

Dr Seri says Khlong Bang Sue should easily have the pumping capacity to handle additional water coming from widened gap in big bag barrier./via@terryfrd

Northern water flow continues to decrease & significantly differential between river & canal level getting lower/via@terryfrd

Dr Seri: Good news is northern runoff continues to decrease. Drainage review needed to determine cause of Bang Sue Canal rising/via@tulsathit

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Thailand Live Tuesday 15 Nov 2011

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