More Concern Over Tests For Canals

[Lite Beer]

More concern over tests for canals

Anapat Deechuay,

Thanatpong Khongsai,

Jeerapong Prasertpolkrang

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- A scientist and water expert has warned the government this month is not suitable for water-drainage tests in Bangkok as heavy downpours and storms have been predicted and there will also be high tides.

Dr Art-ong Jumsai na Ayudhya, a Thai scientist who has worked with the US space agency Nasa in the past and water expert, said the government should not do the drainage tests this month because there would be heavy downpours, storms and high tides. The tests would probably cause trouble for Bangkokians.

Art-ong questioned the government on what else had it done in terms of flood prevention, after borrowing Bt300 billion - except canal dredging. He had not seen any other projects.

The drainage tests are due to take place from Wednesday to Friday.

Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra also voiced his concerns over the government's drainage tests, as September is the month with heaviest rain in the year. So, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will monitor the situation closely.

Canal dredging in 18 districts was complete while the dredging another 12 districts was 80 per cent complete, he said at a water management strategy meeting with civil society co-hosted by the BMA and Thammasat University.

But, Science Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi, who chairs the Water and Flood Management Commission (WFMC) insisted yesterday the tests would not affect people in the capital as water would be released to one third of canals' capacity. The government would prolong the Water Exhibition showcasing its water-prevention measures at Central Plaza Lat Phrao Convention Hall till 8pm tomorrow as they want more people and agencies to learn about water prevention work, Plodprasop said. The event was previously scheduled to run till today.

Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency executive director Anond Snidvongs, who is also a WFMC member, said during a seminar at the Water Exhibition that water management in Thailand was getting better. More areas had been provided to support floodwater and water situations were different from last year. So, it was less likely that severe floods would recur.

At a separate seminar at the Water Exhibition, Preecha Ronnarong of the Public Works and Town and Country Planning Department urged the government to do city planning for long-term water management.

He said city planning would state which areas must be water retention areas and areas at risk of disasters. Also, it would tell clearly which activities were not allowed to do in such areas. Local administrative organisations would have to create water management and land reform strategies in the same direction.

-- The Nation 2012-09-02

[BookMan]

Art-ong questioned the government on what else had it done in terms of flood prevention, after borrowing Bt300 billion - except canal dredging. He had not seen any other projects.

I bet that 300 million has flooded the pockets of quite a few people. Quite a project in itself.

Edited September 2, 2012 by BookMan

[saengsureeya]

Supposedly, the tests have been postponed due the the expected heave rainfall for 2-6 September.

[jcw]

Art-ong questioned the government on what else had it done in terms of flood prevention, after borrowing Bt300 billion - except canal dredging. He had not seen any other projects.

Didn't the wonderful science minsiter also buy 13 X 25HP Evinrude outboards to quickly remove all the water as well? C'mon, just trying to justify the 300 Billion, b 4 billion.......

[tomross46]

On Friday afer reading about the great work being dome by the water committees, I drove along klong 1,2,3,4,5 and Rangsit canals. Canal #1 from Future Park south, was completely blocked. Canal #2, 3, 4 ,5 from Lamlokka road, to Amphur, Klong Luang, had blockage caused by trash, different types of greed vegitation, and have not been dreaded. Same with Rangsit canal. I do not know where these government agencies are getting the data they are using, to make decisions. I do not know where all the millions of Baht, to clean up these canals, has gone.

I do see companies like Bangkok Glass and Western Digital have taken upon themselves, using their own money, to build water retention walls around their factories. This is not flood prevention, this is individual companies, that has taken upon themselves to protect their assets, because they do not trust the water commities.

These water commities had said that they would provide a plan, to the public, on which areas were to become " Monkey Cheeks ". This was two months ago, that this information was to be provised.

No information, No visabel actions being taken in eastern Pathumtani of canal cleaning.

[Lite Beer]

Bangkok governor worries about test to drain water into city's canals

BANGKOK, Sept 2 - Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra was concerned about the government's plan to test draining water through Bangkok's canals as the test period coincides with high tide and frequent rainfall.

The Bangkok governor was referring to a test scheduled for September 5 and 7 which may cause problems to Bangkok residents, despite the fact that canal dredging in 18 flood-prone districts has almost been completed.

Meanwhile, most local residents along Bang Sue canals whose houses were affected by the massive flood last year said they were confident in the government's water flow test that the it would be under control and would not cause flooding.

However, some were afraid of flooding during the test and urged the Bangkok city hall to speed up dredging Bang Sue canal to effectively increase water flow.

The water level in Lat Phrao canal in front of the Lat Phrao temple is currently one metre below its bank. Residents support the government's test, so if there is any problem, the government can fix it before the ensuing northern run-off.

Royal Chitradon, chairman of the sub-committee to monitor and analyse the water situation and management under the Water and Flood Management Commission (WFMC), has surveyed the floodways in eastern Bangkok.The water will be discharged to Hokwa Sailang canal, Song canal and Lat Phrao canal.

If water flow is disrupted at any spot, additional dredging work will be conducted and equipment used to speed water flow will be installed to push flood water to a giant flood tunnel at Rama IX before being drained further out to the sea. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-09-02

[whybother]

But, Science Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi, who chairs the Water and Flood Management Commission (WFMC) insisted yesterday the tests would not affect people in the capital as water would be released to one third of canals' capacity.

What will releasing water to one third capacity prove?

[animatic]

But, Science Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi, who chairs the Water and Flood Management Commission (WFMC) insisted yesterday the tests would not affect people in the capital as water would be released to one third of canals' capacity.

What will releasing water to one third capacity prove?

Almost nothing, but it can be charged for.

They could for free just watch this weeks rain runoff and see where it goes.

But that would mean paying little people scientists to actually work,

And then the reports might contradict a profit taking scenario.

[Misterwhisper]

"Art-ong questioned the government on what else had it done in terms of flood prevention, after borrowing Bt300 billion - except canal dredging. He had not seen any other projects."

300 billion minus 200 billion distributed to various politicians to maintain their grand lifestyles only leaves 100 billion to dredge canals.

[Soutpeel]

Here is my spin on this....anything Science Minister Plodprasop is involved with and says no problem...be afraid, be very afraid

[slapout]

But, Science Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi, who chairs the Water and Flood Management Commission (WFMC) insisted yesterday the tests would not affect people in the capital as water would be released to one third of canals' capacity.

What will releasing water to one third capacity prove?

If as noted above the water level is 1 meter from the top of the canal, I guess a one third capacity discharge would show where flood waters will flow.from the canal. The mad scientist is thinking/plotting again with his normal display of a complete lack of learning in his assigned position.

[zydeco]

>>Dr Art-ong Jumsai na Ayudhya, a Thai scientist who has worked with the US space agency Nasa in the past and water expert, said the government should not do the drainage tests this month because there would be heavy downpours, storms and high tides. The tests would probably cause trouble for Bangkokians.<<

Uh, oh. Worked for NASA! Might be a secret American agent infringing on Thai sovereignty who also might upset Thailand's Chinese masters. Better consign this guy's warnings to the trashcan before somebody realizes they might make sense.

[karlos]

The klong near my house is already 2/3 full.

What exactly is 1/3?? 1/3 of what klong?

I hope it's 1/3 of a small klong!

[phiphidon]

But, Science Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi, who chairs the Water and Flood Management Commission (WFMC) insisted yesterday the tests would not affect people in the capital as water would be released to one third of canals' capacity.

What will releasing water to one third capacity prove?

Whether flow rates have improved since dredging / cleaning maybe? Just hazarding a guess rather than finding fault, that's all.........

[asiawatcher]

I would love to have them actually 'state' exactly what these tests are. Are they looking for volume of water, speed of runoff, natural seepage outside of established drainage - what? Dredging a few canals at the cost they have quoted is simply laughable. Ask any civil engineer. If they are building walls - so so - still way out but in true Thai style - no one is allowed to question. Let's take a look at costs using excavators, dredges and new trucks and trailers to build new canals within a 12 month period.

Some simple maths (not math for you Yanks).THB300,000,000,000(THB300BN) is about USD10,000,000,000 (USD10BN)

Let's allow 500 new excavators @USD150,000 (Komatsu PC220's) + 500 trucks and low loaders to ship them (@USD200,000 each) FVM Isuzu's incl low loader

Total cost USD75M for Excavators (bet you can get a great deal on 500 machines!)

Total cost USD100M for trucks and low loaders (bet you can get a great deal on 500 trucks and trailers!)Buying self propelled suction cutter dredges capable of 1,000 cu metre per hour would cost another USD450,000 each - allow 10 so USD4.5M.

So to capitalise this we have spent roughly USD180M, hardly a dent. Let's now put on 500 drivers and 500 machine operators - 1,000 - oh heck let's put in 2,000 to cover all the surveyors, admin, secretaries and giks to be on the safe side and pay them USD1,000 a month (unheard of!!) so 12 months is USD720M for wages (reality would be half this). At this point we have not spent 1BN!

Let's put in some heavy duty top end project managers, engineers to oversee the 2,000 staff, running costs etc - oh another USD1BN and say 1-2BN for materials such as concrete (in case they are actually building some retaining walls). In all you can still guess the amount of money is huge as is the profit but don't forget that comes from the Thai peoples pockets and any other unfortunate who lives here and caught paying tax in the system! After all this (sorry for the elongated post) I wonder if the Works Minister actually checks the quantity surveyors costs reports or simply awards it to the company nominated by Shinawatra? (sigh) I wish I could get a bit of that...

Edited September 2, 2012 by asiawatcher

[OzMick]

Conducting tests in real time conditions, with high tides and some rain, is a more realistic test than waiting for the best possible scenario.

OTOH given their propensity for monumental mismanagement, I can understand why some are little hesitant to accept the necessity.

[LuckyLew]

Anyone else get the feeling that Thailand is always just one step away from some kind of disaster?

[Thait Spot]

Conducting tests in real time conditions, with high tides and some rain, is a more realistic test than waiting for the best possible scenario.

OTOH given their propensity for monumental mismanagement, I can understand why some are little hesitant to accept the necessity.

Either Plodprasop is too stubborn to listen or he's a follower of Leibniz

[rubl]

Out of the blue it just started raining here in my part of Bangkok

[Thait Spot]

Out of the blue it just started raining here in my part of Bangkok

Sure the fah was see fah?

[MaxLee]

In short, ladies and gentlemen… prepare for a Double-triple flood period this month,… since we get flooded by mother nature AND by the government testing scheme floods…

[FOODLOVER]

But, Science Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi, who chairs the Water and Flood Management Commission (WFMC) insisted yesterday the tests would not affect people in the capital as water would be released to one third of canals' capacity.

What will releasing water to one third capacity prove?

That they haven't a clue.

[Skywalker69]

Here is my spin on this....anything Science Minister Plodprasop is involved with and says no problem...be afraid, be very afraid

Yes, I bet he want to stick his propellers were they don´t belong.

[Bowery99]

So if I had 70cm last year and they have been filling swamps and building like crazy around here, I should probley move stuff upstairs again? What you think? BTW am in BangKhen

[Thait Spot]

BP now reporting that 6 or 7 districts may flood

[MaxLee]

Here is my spin on this....anything Science Minister Plodprasop is involved with and says no problem...be afraid, be very afraid

Yes, I bet he want to stick his propellers were they don´t belong.

Since September and October in particular are the months to watch out for every year… prepare for another big time flood period…

The government has a wall on their head