Plodprasop: Bangkok's Water Flow To Be Tested Early Next Month

[webfact]

Bangkok's water flow to be tested early next month

BANGKOK, AUG 30 – Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi told the capital's residents Wednesday to remain calm when government technicians test the flood-release efficiency in several parts of the city next week.

He said the dredging of canals and waterways in Bangkok has been carried out to a satisfactory degree and a test is necessary to see if the anti-flooding system is efficient.

The minister gave assurances that the test will not result in Bangkok being inundated.

In addition to the Science and Technology Ministry, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has been busy preparing the capital for possible floods in the rainy season.

Government agencies responsible for flood prevention are on high alert after last year’s massive flood which wreaked havoc in much of the country, especially Bangkok and the central plains. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-08-30

[Reasonableman]

Don't panic, nothing to worry about... The minister gave assurances...

[Thai at Heart]

Are they going to release any dam water to test this? Any boats?

[MaxLee]

They test it EXACTLY at the peak beginning of the REAL rainy season September and October are the months to watch out for...

[KireB]

For once I applaud Plodprason for taking things serious. Testing your defense systems is not a given here in Thailand.Remember the tsunami buoy that ran out of batteries in the Andaman.

[Thai at Heart]

They test it EXACTLY at the peak beginning of the REAL rainy season September and October are the months to watch out for...

THE flood last year was caused by above average rain in the north last year from March onwards, there isn't enough rain so far this year to cause anything like last years event.

[Buchholz]

For once I applaud Plodprason for taking things serious. Testing your defense systems is not a given here in Thailand.Remember the tsunami buoy that ran out of batteries in the Andaman.

I agree that it's an improvement for the Minister Of 1,000 Boat Propellers To Impact A Raging Flooded River Plodprasop, although that's not difficult for someone with more debacles on his long-checkered career record than a zebra has stripes.

Testing is absolutely necessary. I just hope there's contingency back-ups for the system that's getting tested, eg. after opening a flood control gate, the electrical switch to re-close it shorts out.

I can imagine any number of situations where the testing could result in an untoward event because some rudimentary back-up system failed or was non-existent in the first place.

There's a reason Plodprasop felt compelled to specifically address what many people understandably and realistically fear.

The minister gave assurances that the test will not result in Bangkok being inundated.

Let there not be any "Oops".

.

[saltandpepper]

Well, there is at last one pro-active thing. Congrats Mr Propeller! I sincerely wish you a plain success for this test!

[noitom]

He's assuring, he's testing. At least he's testing, something very new.

[Nisa]

There's a reason Plodprasop felt compelled to specifically address what many people understandably and realistically fear.

I thought the reason was to provide us ThaiVisa posters with more fodder to show our superiority.

[Buchholz]

There's a reason Plodprasop felt compelled to specifically address what many people understandably and realistically fear.

I thought the reason was to provide us ThaiVisa posters with more fodder to show our superiority.

Flooded homes are a great equalizer.

People facing that are going to feel imperiled no matter where they come from.

.

[bigbamboo]

I wonder where Professor Plod will actually be when the water starts flowing.

[KireB]

Maybe he wants to test whether the water will flow downstream.

Edited August 30, 2012 by KireB

[MaxLee]

I wonder where Professor Plod will actually be when the water starts flowing.

I think somewhere in Abu Dhabi…

[drdoom6996]

Don't panic, nothing to worry about... The minister gave assurances...

Is that a "white lie"' or the truth?

[Tanaka]

Is he going to use tug boats for the test?

[Thai at Heart]

Maybe he wants to test whether the water will flow downstream.

Well it its going south so that's downhill right???

:-)

[jaidam]

If Dr.Plodprasop were to take one of his 1000 boats used last year, and threw a colossal great anchor down he could read river flow easily. River width*approx depth*hull speed. He could then instantly solve any potential flooding by running his engines full throttle. This will increase river flow to the ocean, flood risk negated! Conversely if in fear of drought, he can" full astern captain", and halt the river flow to a trickle and conserve water for the paddy fields. By lashing a few of his tigers to the side of the vessel, they can assist using their semi-webbed paws. note. added value for the buffet table if tiger flank is lean.

Edited August 30, 2012 by jaidam

[webfact]

Govt insists water drainage plan will not affect BKK residents

BANGKOK, 30 August 2012 (NNT) - Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi has insisted that the government’s plan to drain water through Bangkok’s canal system is part of its flood drill and will not affect the lives of Bangkok residents.

Mr Plodprasop, in his capacity as chairman of the Water and Flood Management Committee, said the flood drill, scheduled for September 5-7, will involve releasing 30% more water into Bangkok’s main canals and will not flood homes of residents living near the waterways.

He elaborated that the Royal Irrigation Department and the Royal Thai Navy are set to release water from Chainat province. The planned drill, he affirmed, will not involve usual water release from dams.

The Science Minister also revealed progress of another flood prevention project, where dredging works are expected to be carried out in Phichit province’s Si Fai lake. Works on the lake which are part of a future water retention project have been given a budget of 50 million baht.

-- NNT 2012-08-30

[ThomasIgoeJr]

LOL...Isn't NEXT MONTH a bit late to be testing things we are approaching the peak of monsoon season. Luckily this year has been relatively rain free, at least here on the Korat Plateau.

[spirit47]

Wow, he have energy a lot, maybe, he have "a tiger in the tank". I spent the next week at the beach, let him testing...

[Bagwan]

<deleted> are the Royal Thai Navy doing in Chainat? Playing Pooh sticks?

I reckon I've washed more salt out of my socks than the RTN have sailed over.