2012-08-17 while on her Canal Dredging Inspection tour (avoiding parliament) Ms. Yingluck said:

"She elaborated that the government has assigned the army to be in charge of canal-dredging and landscape improvement works, and the latter has completed the task mentioned on 277 canals as scheduled. The project is aimed at increasing the efficiency of water use and storage."

http://www.thaivisa....25#entry5580702

The army was responsible for 277 canals that started in February and finished at the end of May. The city is to address 644 canals which it states is now at 96% complete, cleaning drainage pipes by the drainage management office of 362 canals now at 97% complete and by other related agencies at 81.3% complete. All of these projects were scheduled for completion by the end of August and in April the city requested (and was granted) more money to ensure that completion.

http://www.thairath.co.th/content/pol/264602

http://breakingnews.nationchannel.com/home/read.php?newsid=647441〈=T&cat=&key=

The noise in BKK seems to be their part of the preparation project is not yet completed, hence, the criticism of the timing of the test.