Flood Protests Intensify: Thailand

[webfact]

FLOOD CRISIS

Flood protests intensify

EKKAMPORN RUJIPUT,

KESINEE TAENGKIEO

THE NATION

One group blocks tollway, another threatens to break floodwall; residents approach court over prolonged inundation

Frustrated by the month-long inundation of their homes in Pathum Thani, about 100 residents yesterday blocked an inbound tollway section near Zeer Mall, causing heavy traffic congestion and later leading to confrontation with angry motorists which resulted in one person getting injured.

The protesters, mostly those living along Khu Khot-Lam Luk Ka Canal, who began the blockade at noon, refused to disperse after negotiations with motorists, and then with police. Another group of residents blocked Kaew Nimit Bridge in Thanya Buri district and threatened to breach a section of a big-bag barrier.

On the tollway, both sides had an angry exchange of words after they refused to open a lane at the request of motorists. The melee began when a car tried to drive through the crowd of protesters, and one of the protesters climbed onto it and stomped on the windshield, before police separated both sides. One protester sustained injuries to his right wrist.

The protesters later dispersed after talking to deputy police chief Phongsaphat Phongcharoen, who promised a 30cm decrease in the flood-water level in their residential areas by the month's end. They vowed to return if the promise proved false.

There was no confrontration at Kaew Nimit Bridge, and the protesters there dispersed after insisting on their demand for demolition of a big-bag barrier along a Rangsit Canal section.

A protester, Manit Jankhao, said he was happy with the promise. He said he was upset at having to put up with foul-smelling, polluted flood waters, almost waist high, for more than a month.

Another protest was held at a section of a big-bag barrier near an Air Force unit. The protesters, numbering about 300, later breached a section despite some 500 police guarding of it, letting out a deluge of flood water.

Responding to the breach, deputy City Clerk Jumphol Samphaophol said it would make flood drainage in that area and key locations south of it more difficult, including the Kasetsart, Sena Niwet intersections, while the stagnant waters would stay on for another four or five days.

Meanwhile, a group of Nonthaburi residents lodged a complaint with the Central Administrative Court demanding an emergency inquiry into the government Flood Relief Operations Centre move to salvage Route 340, along with an injunction to stop operations at both Route 340 and the Western Outer Ring Road.

The three complainants said they were affected by the ongoing salvage of both major roads. They also demanded that nearby watergates be opened and reinforcement of a sandbag wall along a Maha Sawas Canal section in Nonthaburi province be stopped.

A group of Pathum Thani residents agreed to lodge a complaint with the court demanding action to stop the month-long inundation in their areas, which are located not far from the heavily flooded Garden Home estate where they called the meeting.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday ordered FROC to hold a meeting with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to discuss a readjustment in the joint FROC-BMA flood-drainage strategy, after certain Bangkok areas had dried, while efforts to drain water in Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi would be heightened.

Asked to comment on Yingluck's statement that flood prevention must be carried out integrally, not focusing on the capital alone, Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said: "Do you want to see the prime minister's written order given to me, which says I take care of operations only in Bangkok.

"And if the order is altered to authorise me to oversees the operations across the country, that's fine. I am happy to oblige."

Nonthaburi governor Wichian Phutthiwinyoo questioned the BMA's "sincerity" in flood prevention, involving his province. He said the BMA had agreed to open the floodgate at Maha Sawas Canal to the one-metre level, but later decreased it to 75cm, in the first 48 hours.

He said Nonthaburi residents now understood him more that it was the BMA that was fully authorised to operate many watergates, including the one at Maha Sawas canal.

Wichian said he would not react to the BMA decision but had now obtained 200 water pumps and would use them to drain flood water westward to Tha Chin River, after draining it southward [through Maha Sawas Canal and partly through Bangkok] seemed fruitless.

-- The Nation 2011-11-24

[webfact]

Dismantling 'Big Bag' barrier has no impact on inner Bangkok

BANGKOK, Nov 24 -- Dismantling the giant sandbag 'big bag' barrier at Don Meaung's Directorate of Air Operations Control intersection on Phahonyothin Road has not yet impacted inner Bangkok, according to Flood Relief Operations Centre (FROC) Director Pracha Promnog.

Meanwhile, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will open three sluice gates at Khlong Mahasawat to one metre as demanded by Nonthaburi residents, Mr Pracha said, as the impact could be manageable.

Mr Pracha, who is also justice minister, said the pulling down of the flood barrier was not unexpected as residents on both sides of the temporary wall were both affected by the dyke. Initial evaluation however found that there was no impact from dismantling the wall at the moment.

He said the water flowing through the gap is moving along Phahonyothin Road but has had no immediate effect on inner Bangkok.

Mr Pracha said he expected more protests could happen as flood victims were much stress.

Apart from informing the flood victims to better understand the situation, he said, FROC and other agencies concerned must speed up draining water into the Chao Phraya and Tha Chin rivers as much as possible before the next high tide on Nov 25.

Some 400 residents in housing estates in the Phahonyothin, Sai Mai and Don Mueang areas hard hit by the continued deep floodwater because of the big bag barrier jointly dismantled the makeshift dyke made of 1-2 tonnes of sand bags at Don Meaung's Directorate of Air Operations Control intersection.

They started their mission at noon without waiting for the officials from FROC to negotiate. It took three hours for them to remove the barrier that lay across the road both inbound and outbound.

The residents said they would be on guard and not let the authorities to rebuild the barrier so that water would be drained out of their residential area as fast as possible.

Some residents argued that they decided to dismantle the wall after FROC broke its promise to widen the gap despite it being clearly seen that there was no major impact on inner Bangkok.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said the BMA has agreed to open three sluice gates at Khlong Thawi Watthana from the existing opening of 75 cm to 1 metre so as to rapidly drain the flood via Khlong Mahasawat to alleviate the hardship of Nonthaburi residents.

The three sluice gates are at Khlong Khun Sri Burirak, Khlong Kwai and Khlong Soi.

He said that BMA has monitored the water situation after the sluice gates were opened from 50 cm to 75 cm on Tuesday and found that while after more than 30 hours the water level has surged in Bangkok, it could be managed so the city decided to open the gates to one metre.

The governor said he was glad that BMA could respond the demand of Nonthaburi residents and he would ask FROC to instruct the Royal Irrigation Department to open two more sluice gates at Chim Plee and Nakhon Chaisi to drain more water in Khlong Maha Sawat

However, he said BMA reserves the right to adjust the sluice gates if the water affects the Bangkok residents. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-11-24

[Colabamumbai]

Does the left hand know what the right hand is doing?

[whybother]

On the tollway, both sides had an angry exchange of words after they refused to open a lane at the request of motorists. The melee began when a car tried to drive through the crowd of protesters, and one of the protesters climbed onto it and stomped on the windshield, before police separated both sides. One protester sustained injuries to his right wrist.

...

Another protest was held at a section of a big-bag barrier near an Air Force unit. The protesters, numbering about 300, later breached a section despite some 500 police guarding of it, letting out a deluge of flood water.

No arrests?

Useless BIB.

[Thaddeus]

Does the left hand know what the right hand is doing?

One protester sustained injuries to his right wrist.

:jerk:

[creck]

On the tollway, both sides had an angry exchange of words after they refused to open a lane at the request of motorists. The melee began when a car tried to drive through the crowd of protesters, and one of the protesters climbed onto it and stomped on the windshield, before police separated both sides. One protester sustained injuries to his right wrist.

...

Another protest was held at a section of a big-bag barrier near an Air Force unit. The protesters, numbering about 300, later breached a section despite some 500 police guarding of it, letting out a deluge of flood water.

No arrests?

Useless BIB.

Unfortunately, those building the BBB and causing criminal damage to property and people’s health have long gone.

[maidu]

These are interesting times. I can't recall prior news about such things as tearing down flood walls.

It would seem that authorities should gauge what's the max amount of water that inner Bkk can handle - without dire problems - and then enable that amount of water to flow through bangkok. In other words, it's not fair to keep inner Bkk as dry as possible, while outlying areas are stuck with standing water. Bkk can probably sustain ankle-high water throughout downtown without major damage. If there are homes/shops which lie below road level, then either sandbag the openings, or tough it out as a result of planning badly.

[gregb]

On the tollway, both sides had an angry exchange of words after they refused to open a lane at the request of motorists. The melee began when a car tried to drive through the crowd of protesters, and one of the protesters climbed onto it and stomped on the windshield, before police separated both sides. One protester sustained injuries to his right wrist.

...

Another protest was held at a section of a big-bag barrier near an Air Force unit. The protesters, numbering about 300, later breached a section despite some 500 police guarding of it, letting out a deluge of flood water.

No arrests?

Useless BIB.

Unfortunately, those building the BBB and causing criminal damage to property and people’s health have long gone.

Agreed. It would be nearly impossible to arrest Yingluck and the rest of the cabinet for their crimes at this stage. Nothing that the BiB can do.

[ETatBKK]

oh . . . a what-if question !

the FROC is an adhoc, temporary, taskforce for flood relief. it is not even in any government organisation. what if the government declares that the flood is over and dismisses the FROC. who responsible for 'left over probl;ems' like this ?

[DocN]

Dismantling 'Big Bag' barrier has no impact on inner Bangkok

Am I the only one, raising an eyebrow and asking himself "<deleted>?"?????

[robblok]

Dismantling 'Big Bag' barrier has no impact on inner Bangkok

Am I the only one, raising an eyebrow and asking himself "<deleted>?"?????

Not only you if this is really true then those people are suffering needlessly. Also im not happy that draining from my province goes so slow because of the BMA. It's crazy that you need a mob in this country to get a bit of justice. Seems its the only way to get things done.

I am not happy about that because then there is no law. Now its residents with (IMHO) justified grievances. But the mob mentality is used just as hard in Phuket to make sure the buses cannot drive in Phuket so Tuk' Tuks make more money.

Seems they just put dams somewhere or keep sluices at a certain level without even taking a risk or checking if they can take more. If they can't why do it later without problems.

Edited November 24, 2011 by robblok

[gemini81]

Dismantling 'Big Bag' barrier has no impact on inner Bangkok

Am I the only one, raising an eyebrow and asking himself "<deleted>?"?????

Indeed this is absolute rubbish. One channel 3 last night, it said that the water would quite possibly flow down to wiphawadee AGAIN (since that is the path the water would go)....How is wiphawadee not inner bangkok?! And don muang is indeed bangkok not merely suburbs. Maybe the mean not all the way to the business districts, but if citizens keep tearing down barriers, no one really knows how much water'll come out and spill on into lw point in the city.

Furthermore, with their track record thus far, who are so called experts to say that the water will not in fact come in again with the barriers torn down? All that has occured has truly been the opposite of what they've said.

Edited November 24, 2011 by gemini81

[webfact]

BMA on high alert after 'Big Bag' barrier dismantled on Phahonyothin Road

BANGKOK, Nov 24 -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is on high alert keeping watch on the flood status in inner Bangkok fearing that the dismantling of the giant sandbag 'big bag' barrier at Don Mueang's Directorate of Air Operations Control intersection on Phahonyothin Road could increase the water level at Kaset intersection and Lat Phrao, according to Deputy City Clerk Chumphol Sampaopol.

He said pulling down the flood barrier could delay the drainage of water and would prolong the presence of floodwater in the clogged areas.

However, the latest report on Thursday by the BMA's Department of Drainage and Sewerage found no significant change of water level.

Bangkhen District Chief Watcharaporn Kawayapanik said that although the water level remained unchanged after big bag barrier was dismantled, small lanes along Phahonyothin Road remained under water 60-80 cm deep.

If there is additional water from opening the wall, he said, draining flood water will take more time as pumping water also depends on the water level in major canals.

Some 400 residents in housing estates in the Phahonyothin, Sai Mai and Don Mueang areas face continued deep floodwater because of the big bag barrier. However, they received some relief Wednesday from the dismantling of the makeshift dyke made of 1-2 tonnes of sand bags at Don Mueang's Directorate of Air Operations Control intersection.

As for the opening of three sluice gates at Khlong Mahasawat wider from 75 cm to one metre as demanded by Nonthaburi residents, the BMA's Department of Drainage and Sewerage said that the water level is still manageable.

Wider sluice gates at Khlong Khun Sri Burirak, Khlong Kwai and Khlong Soi were meant to rapidly drain the flood to alleviate the hardship of Nonthaburi residents. However, he said BMA reserves the right to adjust the sluice gates if the water affects the Bangkok residents. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-11-24

[robblok]

I think it criminal that they leave people flooded like this. The only reason they open sluice gates a bit more is if there are protests. Meaning it should have been done b4 (long b4) without protests triggering it but the realization that you should help others.

I seen canal from Nonthaburi going through West BKK but straight to the river (obviously the shortets way to drain the water). But they blocked it forcing the water on a North south route many times longer and inundating many other people. Probably more then the few next to the canals in West BKK

[DocN]

BMA on high alert after 'Big Bag' barrier dismantled on Phahonyothin Road

If - as earlier stated- it has no impact on Inner Bangkok, if the BBB is dismanteled....why the frag are they on high alert????

I give up!

Anyone still wants to tell me, the BMA and the govenor have better plans and measures than the government?

I am listening!

[sfbandung]

I'm surprised this hasn't happened earlier.

There's talk of compensation for the poor buggers who've been under water for months now. Perhaps I'm mooting the impossible but I think compensation should be paid on a "per day flooded" basis funded in part by levies on the residents of the areas that are being specifically protected. People can't work and their day to day life is miserable. My sister in law has been flooded for weeks, she can't work and the people around her are surviving on a subsistence basis sharing food and money coming from relatives (like me).

I'm all for protecting whatever parts of Bangkok they can. But when it is clearly at the expense of others what do you expect them to do?

[robblok]

BMA on high alert after 'Big Bag' barrier dismantled on Phahonyothin Road

If - as earlier stated- it has no impact on Inner Bangkok, if the BBB is dismanteled....why the frag are they on high alert????

I give up!

Anyone still wants to tell me, the BMA and the govenor have better plans and measures than the government?

I am listening!

If i were a paranoid red shirt supporter id say the BMA (democrats) are trying to keep people in the water and unhappy to help the Democrats.

As i am not one of those i think they never knew and just put up a barrier and now don't want to admit either it was not working... or its working but they say its not working else they loose face because it gets dismantled.

Just take your pic, i have no idea just like you

[Scott]

One off-topic troll post removed.

[TAWP]

Thawi Wattana, Bang Khae residents block Kanchanapisek Rd, show dissatisfaction with raising sluice gates causing higher flood /MCOT

[robblok]

Thawi Wattana, Bang Khae residents block Kanchanapisek Rd, show dissatisfaction with raising sluice gates causing higher flood /MCOT

Raising sluice gates you mean letting less water pass ? Just wonder what sluice gates are blocking their flow of water.

[webfact]

Raminthra locals threaten to block roads after dismantling of BigBag barriers at KorPorOr junction causes water to rise, ThaiPBS reports /TANN

[webfact]

Bangkae locals affected by the opening of gates @Mahasawat canal block both sides of Karnchanapisek Rd at Bang Chuek Nhung canal /TANN

[elcent]

26th draws nearer too. HIGH TIDE alert. When this water sips into the wrong drainage canals, inner Bangkok will drown in sewage waters.

[culicine]

26th draws nearer too. HIGH TIDE alert. When this water sips into the wrong drainage canals, inner Bangkok will drown in sewage waters.

Luckily river levels are quite a bit lower than the last big tides we had a month ago. At Pak kret the river level looks to be 20-30 cm lower than this time last month.

http://hydrology.rid.go.th/wmsc/cctvpakkhet.htm

During peak flooding at this location, water levels hit 3.1-3.2 metres. It's about 2.5m at the moment, with some rise expected this weekend. But how much rise I don't know. Hopefully not enough to flood my floor again!

People pulling bags is getting a bit nasty. Now those in the lower reaches are also blocking roads to protest about getting reflooded? I've had quite enough of the BMA and their bloody bags and 1-2 M of flood water for close to 5-6 weeks now. Get this flood over and done with - remove the bags. Yes some might get their feet wet - so what? 20-30 cm in the street isn't a huge inconvenience.

[culicine]

*Deleted Quote edited out*

Damage at my house would be about 100000 baht, and that's only with 30 cm of water in my house. 5K is a slap in the face, given that this is a man made disaster.

Edited November 24, 2011 by Scott
deleted quote edited out

[elcent]

26th draws nearer too. HIGH TIDE alert. When this water sips into the wrong drainage canals, inner Bangkok will drown in sewage waters.

Luckily river levels are quite a bit lower than the last big tides we had a month ago. At Pak kret the river level looks to be 20-30 cm lower than this time last month.

http://hydrology.rid...cctvpakkhet.htm

During peak flooding at this location, water levels hit 3.1-3.2 metres. It's about 2.5m at the moment, with some rise expected this weekend. But how much rise I don't know. Hopefully not enough to flood my floor again!

People pulling bags is getting a bit nasty. Now those in the lower reaches are also blocking roads to protest about getting reflooded? I've had quite enough of the BMA and their bloody bags and 1-2 M of flood water for close to 5-6 weeks now. Get this flood over and done with - remove the bags. Yes some might get their feet wet - so what? 20-30 cm in the street isn't a huge inconvenience.

it is forecast to reach 3.09m on the 26th +|- 10%

It's not about the high or low amount of water, but the poison that accumulated and still will be accumulating even more to a higher degree. There is where the danger lies. Not to forget to mention the threat to tap water.

[webfact]

DISMANTLING OF BIG BAG DYKE

No significant rise in water level

The Nation

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is keeping a close watch on the flooding situation in inner Bangkok following the dismantling of the bigbag barriers in the Don Muang area.

The removal of the barriers at the Directorate of Air Operations Control intersection on Phaholyothin Road on Wednesday could possibly increase the water level at Kasetsart intersection and Lat Phrao, said deputy city clerk Chumphol Sampaopol.

He said pulling down the flood barrier could delay the drainage of water and would prolong the presence of floodwater in the clogged areas.

However, the latest report on Thursday by the BMA’s Department of Drainage and Sewerage found no significant change in the water level.

Bang Khen district chief Watcharaporn Kawayapanik said that although the water level remained unchanged after the big bag barrier was dismantled, small lanes along Phaholyothin Road remained under water 60 to 80 cm deep.

If water were to increase as a result of dismantling the wall, draining of the floodwater would take more time, as pumping also depends on the water level in major canals, he said.

Some 400 residents in housing estates in the Phaholyothin, Sai Mai and Don Muang areas have been forced to live with continued deep floodwater because of the big bag barrier. However, they received some relief Wednesday from the dismantling of the makeshift dyke made of 12 tonnes of sandbags at Don Mueang.

As for the opening of three sluice gates at Khlong Mahasawat from 75 cm to one metre as demanded by Nonthaburi residents, the BMA’s Department of Drainage and Sewerage said that the water level is still manageable.

Widening the opening of the sluice gates at Khlong Khun Sri Burirak, Khlong Kwai and Khlong Soi was meant to rapidly drain the floodwater to alleviate the hardship of Nonthaburi residents. However, he said BMA reserves the right to adjust the sluice gates if the water affects Bangkok residents.

-- The Nation 2011-11-24

[Scott]

Several nasty posts have been deleted as well as replies. Further advocating of violence will result in a posting holiday.

Please keep the discussion civil.

[TAWP]

Thawi Wattana, Bang Khae residents block Kanchanapisek Rd, show dissatisfaction with raising sluice gates causing higher flood /MCOT

Raising sluice gates you mean letting less water pass ? Just wonder what sluice gates are blocking their flow of water.

Opening the gates causes increased flooding for those lower down after the gates, now receiving more water than before. That is why they are angry.

[robblok]

Thawi Wattana, Bang Khae residents block Kanchanapisek Rd, show dissatisfaction with raising sluice gates causing higher flood /MCOT

Raising sluice gates you mean letting less water pass ? Just wonder what sluice gates are blocking their flow of water.

Opening the gates causes increased flooding for those lower down after the gates, now receiving more water than before. That is why they are angry.

I got that TWAP but they were talking about raising (meaning letting less water through). That would cause less flooding for them. Later Webfact gave a message contradicting yours so must have been a grammar error.