Thailand Live Wednesday 16 Nov 2011

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Thailand Live Wednesday 16 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 15 Nov 2011

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Today's Thailand weather and forecasts:

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ECONOMY

Industry leaders bullish on post-flood prospects: Thailand

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BMA

Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand sorry for wrong evacuation order

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FLOOD CRISIS

Thailand's town-planning law to be amended

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FLOOD CRISIS

660 pumps installed along Chao Phraya to drain out run-offs

The Nation

The Royal Irrigation Department has been using as many as 660 pumps, installed along both banks of the Chao Phraya River, to direct run-offs towards the sea.

These pumps can handle 123 million cubic metres of water every day.

"On the western side, there are 336 pumps that have the capacity to handle 80 million cubic metres," the department's director-general Chalit Damrongsak said yesterday.

In Bangkok's eastern zone, there are 324 pumps that have a total capacity to handle 43 million cubic metres of water each day.

Chalit said water drainage depended on many factors, including sea levels.

He added that pumps would also be used to drain floods out of Nakhon Sawan and Ayutthaya.

-- The Nation 2011-11-16

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1.5 million letters, parcels undelivered: Thailand flood

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Rangsit and Nonthaburi residents rally for help

The Nation

Residents in northern Bangkok's Rangsit area and those in Nonthaburi province yesterday launched separate rallies calling for more action from the government to help them deal with the flood crisis, which they claim has worsened after the first big-bag barrier was laid along Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road.

Rangsit residents yesterday met local politicians and Pathum Thani provincial officials before agreeing to stop breaking down the barrier provided the authorities launched intensive flood drainage operations.

Nonthaburi residents, meanwhile, are soliciting support through a Facebook page and are planning to hold a rally outside city hall on Friday.

After the 40-minute talks yesterday, Rangsit residents agreed that they would not breach the barrier but that they needed to make themselves heard, especially since people at the Muang Ake housing estate and Rangsit municipality have been battling high flood waters for a month now. Local officials explained that they had done their best but were limited by manpower and lack of funds, adding that they needed direct assistance from the government.

"We believe that if we are flooded, inner Bangkok should also be flooded," Pakornphat Thepuatra-kool, leader of the Rangsit residents' protest group, opined.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra confirmed yesterday that a compromise had been reached after angry residents in Don Muang area had demolished a section of the barrier. Officials have agreed that makeshift watergates would be built at several locations along the flood defences, to help with water drainage and serve as channels for small boats to go through.

-- The Nation 2011-11-16

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VOLUNTEER

SAVING AYUTTHAYA

VIPASAI NIYAMABHA

SPECIAL TO THE NATION

Volunteers and locals flock to the ancient capital to clean temple grounds and scrub monuments

More than a month after it was engulfed by floodwaters, the province of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya is slowly getting back to normal as the waters recede. Most of the provincial seat is now dry and with houses, museums, temples, palace ruins and roads once again visible, people are beginning the long and arduous task of cleaning up.

In the distance, the slightly leaning Chaiyamongkol pagoda, built to honour the victory of King Naresuan the Great's victory over Burma, can clearly be seen. The ancient royal monastery of Wat Yai Chaimongkol, located just outside the city island, looks well on the way to recovery, with most of the temple grounds now free of water.

Last Thursday, a large group of volunteers gathered at the temple for Ayutthaya's big cleaning day. Lay people and monks spread out through the temple grounds, washing, wiping and pulling up dead trees. Sadly, the roots of all the ornamental orange jasmine trees rotted in the water but the hardier West Indian jasmine trees survived and are in full bloom.

"Ayutthaya was the capital of Siam for more than 400 years and acted as the centre of administration, culture and international relations of the Siamese kingdom. Today, Ayutthaya is the centre of cooperation among Thai people to help bring the old capital city back to its former glory and the smiles back to people's faces once again", says Ayutthaya's governor, Wittaya Pewpong,

And certainly, the folk in Ayutthaya are fighting the flood with big smiles. At Wat Ayodhaya in Hantra village, locals still commute to the main road in shallow muddy water. "My one-storey house was flooded up to the gables. We had to move to high land just behind the pagoda, and now the water has receded to chest level. I should be able to move back in about 10 days", says a local man with a broad smile.

Wat Ayodhaya is home to one of the oldest pagodas in Ayutthaya and its ruins are located just behind the new Ubosot hall. Historians believe this was the site of the old royal palace before it was relocated to Ayutthaya island. Two cows are eating grass on the pagoda's higher platform - more than three metres above the ground. "They climbed up by themselves. They've been living up there for more than a month now" says a local woman.

This small temple was holding a Loy Krathong festival later that night to give locals a break from the floods. The festival was also being celebrated at Wat Phanan Choeng, home to Luang Pho Tor, the 19-metre tall stucco Buddha image that dates back to the 14th century.

Wat Phanan Choeng is one of three temples that hasn't been affected by the floodwaters, the other two being Wat Putthai Sawan and Wat Niwet Thammaprawat. According to the governor, Bang Pa-in Palace, Siriyalai Royal Residence and Bang Sai Royal Arts and Craft Centre have also been spared.

An island at the confluence of three rivers, Ayutthaya is no stranger to flooding. Indeed, the rainy season was long known as the "flood season" or "reudu nam lark" and was never considered harmful in the olden days, as the entire economy was based on rice farming.

But while the physical geography hasn't changed, industrial development has sprung up around the area bringing with it a population influx. The governor says he wants a dam built on the Pasak and Chao Phraya rivers to protect the city in the long run. His aim is to give people their lives back, to restore the world heritage site back to its former glory and to boost Ayutthaya's chance of being selected as the host of the World Expo in 2020. "I believe we can accomplish it", he says.

Right now though, only a few visitors are cycling around Ayutthaya and the elephant strolling along the Historical Park has no tourists on her back. Viharn Monkholbopit, the building that houses Phra Monkholbopit, is still not open to visitors. It's possible to venture into the adjoining Wat Phra Si Sanpetch to visit the three pagodas and the Royal Palace ruins but the ground is still soft and wet and the water stains are visible on the old bricks.

Among all the religious centres of Ayutthaya, Wat Mahathat is regarded the most significant, as it once was a residence of the Supreme Patriarch. The temple is not completely dry, but the most photographed sandstone Buddha's head enmeshed in the tree trunks has now emerged from the water and the dark moss that used to cover the face has all but disappeared.

Lovers of Buddhist art cried when they saw photos of the giant reclining Buddha image at Wat Lokayasutharam submerged in the floodwaters. Now, the 29-metre-long reclining Buddha is more or less water-free and small fish and shrimps can be seen trying to escape from drying muddy ponds. A couple of tourists stop but rather than take photos, they start collecting garbage left by water in the temple yard.

Their simple gesture is a timely reminder that we too should all do our part in rescuing our precious heritage.

IF YOU GO...

Another big cleaning day in Ayutthaya will be organised on December 5 at nine temples, nine churches and nine mosques. For more details, contact Tourism Authority of Thailand, Ayutthaya office at (035) 246076-7

-- The Nation 2011-11-16

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ASEAN to strengthen cooperation on disaster management

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STOPPAGE TIME

No dilemma here: Pay out fair compensation: Thai opinion

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Data reveals the challenges posed by climate change

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BURNING ISSUE

No hope for democracy if backing for Army rule continues: Thailand

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Western Bangkok could still be flooded in New Year: Yingluck

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Long-term flood victims to get extra help: Thailand

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Six parks closed

The Nation

Six public parks have been closed temporarily by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration because of the flooding.

They are Chatuchak district's Wachirabenjathat and Chatuchak parks, Don Muang's Rommanee Thung Sikan Park, Bang Khen's Ram Intra Sports Park, Thawee Watthana's Thawee Wanarom Park and Bang Phlat's Rama VIII Park.

-- The Nation 2011-11-16

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Police, Navy provide boat transport

The Nation

Metropolitan Police have arranged 200 boats at 79 locations in all nine divisions to transport flood victims, while the Navy has deployed boats on eight routes on the Thon Buri side of Bangkok.

City police and volunteers are also using boats to patrol inundated neighbourhoods to watch over people's property.

Metropolitan Police Division 2 has 70 boats out on patrol, while Division 3 has 30 boats, Division 7 has 70 boats and Division 9 has 70 boats. The Navy's water-transport service has been available from 8am-8pm every day since Saturday.

The eight routes are Tha Phra Intersection-The Mall Bang Khae, Charan Sanitwong Soi 13-Wat Maphrao Tia, Bangkok Naval Base-Buddhamonthon 4-Thawee Watthana, Soi Kamnan Maen-Bang Khae Market, The Mall Bangkae-Phetkasem 69-Bang Bon, Siriraj Hospital-Pata Pinklao Mall-Sirindhorn-Krung Thon Bridge, Bang Khun Non-Bang Phlat-Rama VII Bridge, and Siriraj Hospital-Central Pinklao Mall-Southern Bus Terminal.

-- The Nation 2011-11-16

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Rice-pledging: 'Huge loss' on the cards

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Bt1 million donation for mercy centre

The Nation

Robert Mullis from the United Kingdom will tomorrow donate Bt1 million to the Human Development Foundation via one of its co-founders, Father Joseph Maier.

The foundation is widely known for operating the Mercy Centre.

The donation will be handed to Father Maier at a school in Bangkok's Chatuchak district. This school has been receiving support from the foundation.

Mullis decided to donate after learning how the foundation has been struggling to extend help to flood-ravaged communities in Thailand.

-- The Nation 2011-11-16

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Cabinet nod for Interior reshuffle

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

The Cabinet okayed 34 appointments proposed by the Interior Ministry, deputy government spokesperson Anusorn Eiamsa-ard said yesterday.

Interesting appointments included people close to Bhum Jai Thai's de-facto leader Newin Chidchob, who were named inspector-generals such as Buri Ram Governor Thanee Samartkit and Surin Governor Serm Chainarong.

Ranong Governor Wanchart Wongchaichana was appointed Interior Ministry inspector-general. Peerasak Hinmuangkow, the former Pathun Thani governor, was also transferred to the Interior Ministry as inspector-general, because of complaints related to flood problems.

Samut Songkram Governor Prapas Boonyindee was made director-general of the department, replacing Surachai Khan-arsa, who was named Lamphun governor. Weerayuth Iamampha, an inspector-general of the minister, was promoted to the position of Local Administration Department director-general.

The Cabinet extended Suphan Buri Governor Somsak Pureesrisak's term for one year.

-- The Nation 2011-11-16

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Joint session on border withdrawal: Preah Vihear Temple

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Phuket student killed, classmate injured in truck crash

Phuket Gazette

Bystanders help the noodle vendor to safety after the BMW demolished

his stall north of Phuket Town this morning. Photo: Warisa Temram

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Immigration Notice Regarding Access To Chaengwattana Rd:

Or traveling from the Victory Monument. Can take a bus No.166 , please look at the front of a bus will show destination at Government Complex.

The first bus from Victory Monument start at 7:00 am. and leave every 40 minutes.

Bus No.166 leave from the Government Complex at the bus station (in front of The Golden Place supermartket) final at 6.00 pm.

http://bangkok.immigration.go.th/intro1.html

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Thai govt faces string of lawsuits over flood disaster

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Various ministers, including DPM Chalerm Yubumrung, decline to comment on amnesty decree approved by Cabinet yesterday /TANN

Frontage Road along Rama 2 Soi 70 seeing 10 cm of water; salvation of Highway 340 to be complete tomorrow /TANN

Police to begin towing cars double-parked on expressway after deadline passes for owners parking vehicles to avoid flood, to move them / MCOT

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Bangkok: All BTS and MRT stations operating as usual this morning /TANN

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Thai Army Turns Flooding Into a P.R. Opportunity

New York Times

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Police to Reopen Traffic at Lad Prao Intersection This Afternoon

Traffic police say they will officially open the 5-way junction at Lad Prao for normal traffic this afternoon after flood water recedes. The intersection saw water as high as 50 centimeters during the peak of the flood crisis.

On a related development, officials are finishing up a project to salvage Highway 340 as an alternative route to southern Thailand. Ten centimeters of water is being seen around the area of Rama 2 Soi 70.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-16

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Paholyothin Police Station: Lad Prao Rd from Chok Chai 4 to Lad Prao Intersection completely dry; all vehicles can pass /via news1005fm

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Move your cars. Authorities towing cars left parked on expressways TODAY! /TANN