Floods inundate a quarter of Thailand's provinces, warnings issued

[smooth expat]

It's hardly rained at all and they're flooded already? Just wait until a real rainstorm comes along..

[Jay Sata]

I like that line......

"Trying to preserve the electrical stuff"

I thought Thai style was leave it all outside naked to the rain until the transformers explode or someone gets electrocuted.

[noitom]

No need for concern. Bangkok is safe and the Japanese industrial estates are safe. Thai officials repeatedly express concern for Bangkok and the Japanese.

[Jay Sata]

Flooding happens worldwide and no man-made structure or system has yet been developed that will stop it completely. Promises to the contrary from officials is best taken at face value which is just that...a promise. Please don't think this a Thai phenomenon.

Not even a 'nice try'.

Try telling that to the Dutch who have managed for over three hundred years to keep the North Sea from flooding huge tracts of the polders below sea level.

But of course these Dutch engineers would know nothing about flooding in Thailand!

[yourauntbob]

I for one am not worried one bit, the government issued a statement a few days ago saying there was no need to worry..........................

[waza]

Flooding happens worldwide and no man-made structure or system has yet been developed that will stop it completely. Promises to the contrary from officials is best taken at face value which is just that...a promise. Please don't think this a Thai phenomenon.

Not even a 'nice try'.

It's funny that. The hometown where I grew up had horrendous floods when i was about 8 years old. People lost everything. So you know what happened. The government wen t out and spent loads of money, widened the river, raised it's banks, and lo and behold, it hasn't happened or even got remotely close to happening in 35 years since.

Now that is an occurence we are used to in the rest of the world. That the government tries its level best to mitigate disasters instead of continuing to blunder into it year on year.

You also should remember that 35 years ago 60% of Issan was covered in rain forest, it is now 6%. Thats a massive amount of soak to loose.

Edited September 24, 2013 by waza

[Pimay1]

Had the g/f on the phone 5 minutes ago. She is fighting to keep the water out of her shop in Issan and preserve the electrical stuff. Having to sleep at the shop tonight when she can. Parents also struggling to keep water out of the house too.

From what she says and looking at the news it does not sound too good all round

Did you tell her not to worry because Plod said the flood is under control?

Edited September 24, 2013 by Pimay1

[exalll]

Flooding happens worldwide and no man-made structure or system has yet been developed that will stop it completely. Promises to the contrary from officials is best taken at face value which is just that...a promise. Please don't think this a Thai phenomenon.

Not even a 'nice try'.

It's funny that. The hometown where I grew up had horrendous floods when i was about 8 years old. People lost everything. So you know what happened. The government wen t out and spent loads of money, widened the river, raised it's banks, and lo and behold, it hasn't happened or even got remotely close to happening in 35 years since.

Now that is an occurence we are used to in the rest of the world. That the government tries its level best to mitigate disasters instead of continuing to blunder into it year on year.

You also should remember that 35 years ago 60% of Issan was covered in rain forest, it is now 6%. Thats a massive amount of soak to loose.

Forest - yes; rain forest - no!

[Commander Tamson]

I suppose every rainy season is different, there is going to be some flooding but why is year after year that things dont get better, why does no one seem to learn anything? You have a plan, how did it work? Anything we could have done better? Have a new plan A with back ups.

Somebody must have been in charge of whats going on, if they cant do the job get someone who can and by the way there are other counties who have to deal with large amounts of water ever thought of seeking advice?

Hastily building a sandbag wall alone the river east of Nakhon Sawan central today, looked bob a job week!

You know the answers to you questions before even writing them. Employing someone into any government authority, who actually knows what they are doing, is just not an option here - it would show that the complete rest of the department, including its head, do not and never did have an f'ing clue!

A new or back up plan is never necessary in any government department because they are all so good at their jobs, none are ever required. Should however some outside unexpected factor, such as heavy rain at this time year, cause an upset to the agreed plan, then a new plan cannot possibly be implemented until budgets have been set, and the various departments heads given their pre project bonuses for the excellent plan they are going to come with.

AND how dare you imply that Thailand may require the assistance of another country. Don't you know that Thailand has the best education system in the World and produce the world's best engineers and scientists. And the only country in SEAsia never to be colonised - okay they had to do some serious arse-licking to the British, the French, the Dutch and the Portuguese, give a significant portion of their country away; then later kiss the underside of the Japanese boot and finally tell some whopping great untruths to the Americans, when the British invaded the country in 1945. But even now we are actually exporting our expertise in water management to developing countries( as well persuading, sorry enlightening, them on our beautiful fragrant rice)

Please please - no more Thai Bashin!

[Stan Bailey]

There are a number of flood prevention methods and flood protection systems which are available. This is not rocket science. My company has offered some of these systems for the past two years since the 2011 flooding. So there are good solutions available in Thailand for any private company or residential owner, industrial estates and housing estates. Dealing with the Thai gov’t, as to be expected, is a challenge. The 350 Billion Baht budget was passed and approved and now there are certain vested interests attempting to stop the plan national water management project by taking the ruling party to court and other delaying tactics. Thailand has to decide if they wish a master water management plan, or not, and if they do in order to prevent another 2011 disaster, then they need to start the construction on it. The contractors have been selected but contacts not awarded due to the political and legal challenges. Saving lives and property as a nation should be the first priority putting partisan politics behind. Not sure if this is going to happen with demonstrators in the street matching against everything imaginable. If not the rice, then the rubber, then building a dam in a forest area (for the purpose of saving people's lives and property), to pro and anti-government protests, charter rewrite, amnesty laws, etc. etc. During a disaster everyone tends to pull together and I suggest that this is another disaster waiting to happen. All we need is another Perfect Storm as in 2011. The frequency and severity of storms around the globe have gotten worse with each year so now is the time to act and not fight for political advantages at the risk of the Thai people and economy. Looking through a big window and not just a porthole provides a better perspective.

[TechnikaIII]

In this new season of flood crisis, I think the moderators should protect at least one discussion thread for real information, free of useless banter and smart arse comments. Is this possible on Thai Visa? I really need to know what's going on and where, with regard to the floods and affected transport. If not, can someone recommend an alternative forum?

Thanks

[1Ping1]

Its Thailand, its monsoon season, its raining and flooding.

Doubt that this is going to change this year, next year or for the next 1,000 years. And Yea, I was in Bangkok two years ago wading through five feet of water and walking over overpasses that were crammed with parked cars as it was the only spot around not under water for miles. Would not have been there but had a plane to catch. It is no different than other countries that have tornado's, hurricanes or typhoons. As one guy put it, that's why houses are built on stilts in some areas.

Development in the face of mother nature has never been a good bet in any country or any climate, unless you were the initial investor and then sold it out before it flooded the first time. Note why up in the hills of Northern Thailand and Issan country they build on stilts or far up the river banks for hundreds of years, or they simply built shacks that would wash away and then build again when the water goes down. . And why one should never buy or live in a flood prone area without at least respecting and knowing the risks of living in said areas. Its not like its never happened before, and it sure as heck is going to happen again in any given area if it was flood prone in the past. The only sad exceptions to this rule is where money moves in and allows for diverting water away from one area, usually to protect businesses, and simply then moves it into a residential area, diverting the flooding to those that do not have deep pockets to literally pay to keep it at bay.

Mother nature takes no prisoners.

[Commander Tamson]

In this new season of flood crisis, I think the moderators should protect at least one discussion thread for real information, free of useless banter and smart arse comments. Is this possible on Thai Visa? I really need to know what's going on and where, with regard to the floods and affected transport. If not, can someone recommend an alternative forum?

Thanks

This is f'ing Thailand - you'll never find a site where the truth of the situation is actually told. Your best bet, I suggest, would be to try and target members in the area that you are interested in and then see if you can keep each other advised of the local situation. I live in Ubonratchathani and if the city is of interest to you, I'd be happy to keep you up to date. Otherwise a bit of nimble, filtered, use of your search engine should keep you reasonably, if not up to minute, updated.

[tominbkk]

Is there any site keeping data on the situation, like this site did in 2011?

http://www.thaiflood.com/

[hammered]

The lesse holders in the industrial estates were a bit upset in the massive floods in 2011. In order to prevent

them all from fleeing to a dry country, I recall Yingluck promising them the estates would never flood again.

Will be curious to see what happens in the next couple of weeks.....

Yes that was before the national flood prevention scheme was delayed for god knows how long by certain people taking it to court to prevent it being carried out.

[anon210]

No need for concern. Bangkok is safe and the Japanese industrial estates are safe. Thai officials repeatedly express concern for Bangkok and the Japanese.

Not sure if this was ironic, but in 2011, they promised the same to the Japanese, and most industrial estates got under water not to say the outskirts of BKK. Only Thonglor and Central world were safe!

[waza]

The lesse holders in the industrial estates were a bit upset in the massive floods in 2011. In order to prevent

them all from fleeing to a dry country, I recall Yingluck promising them the estates would never flood again.

Will be curious to see what happens in the next couple of weeks.....

Yes that was before the national flood prevention scheme was delayed for god knows how long by certain people taking it to court to prevent it being carried out.

No Hammered they questioned the legality of implementing a massive budget to a scam that had no plan, no community consultation, no co-ordinated design and no chance of success. In other words they challenged the legality of another PTP money rip off. If the government did the due dilligence as they are legally obliged to, then there would be no arguement.

However, despite this constitutional challenge the PTP government did manage to build flood wall around the Japanese industrial estates, repair infrastructure ect without delay.

Edited September 25, 2013 by waza

[robblok]

The lesse holders in the industrial estates were a bit upset in the massive floods in 2011. In order to prevent

them all from fleeing to a dry country, I recall Yingluck promising them the estates would never flood again.

Will be curious to see what happens in the next couple of weeks.....

Yes that was before the national flood prevention scheme was delayed for god knows how long by certain people taking it to court to prevent it being carried out.

No Hammered they questioned the legality of implementing a massive budget to a scam that had no plan, no community consultation, no co-ordinated design and no chance of success. In other words they challenged the legality of another PTP money rip off. If the government did the due dilligence as they are legally obliged to, then there would be no arguement.

However, despite this constitutional challenge the PTP government did manage to build flood wall around the Japanese industrial estates, repair infrastructure ect without delay.

Agreed.. the PTP is squarely to blame they did not want to give any of the normal openness of plans and do the required steps as it would hamper their efforts to steal money. This government does everything to hide stuff look at the rice scam and the numbers that come from it. If they played by the rules loads of things could have been accomplished but it would mean they had less chance to steal money so it did not happen.

[Lucie]

I suppose every rainy season is different, there is going to be some flooding but why is year after year that things dont get better, why does no one seem to learn anything? You have a plan, how did it work? Anything we could have done better? Have a new plan A with back ups.

Somebody must have been in charge of whats going on, if they cant do the job get someone who can and by the way there are other counties who have to deal with large amounts of water ever thought of seeking advice?

Hastily building a sandbag wall alone the river east of Nakhon Sawan central today, looked bob a job week!

Ah yes, who was it that was in charge of controlling the weather? It must be someone...

Can anyone accept that just like sh*t, rain happens? We (humans) built on flood plains - we get what's coming to us. Shame that it's the poor that suffer, rather than the town non-planners.

[belg]

2011 BIS

[Lite Beer]

16 Ubon Ratchathani districts declared disaster zones

UBON RATCHATHANI, Sept 25 – Extensive flooding in this northeastern province prompted the provincial deputy governor to declare 16 districts disaster zones to speed up urgent relief efforts.

Sutthipan Boonmee declared the 16 districts disaster zone as residents of 165 households were forced to flee their homes to higher ground.

Meanwhile, the State Railway of Thailand resumed normal operations serving the province today after a brief suspension due to the flooding of the tracks.

Ubon Ratchathani stationmaster Pradith Karunrat said on Wednesday that flood-stranded train stations resumed normal operation today after rail tracks in Warin Chamrap district and between Huay Tap Tan station to Samrongtab district in Surin province were inundated for three
days.

Only a small number of passengers were carried, with the 136 Speed train, Ubon Ratchathani-Bangkok reported to be the first train to leave the station. Officials have remained on alert against possible flooding near the rail tracks.

Meanwhile, water levels in the Mun River near Seree Prachatippatai Bridge in Ubon Ratchathani’s Muang district rose by 32 centimetres, reaching eight metres today, now at the speed of 3,040 cubic metres per second.

Some 165 families of five communities along Mun River in Warin Chamrap district and Ubon Ratchathani City Municipality have so far fled their homes to temporary shelters being set up at the Warin Chamrap Land Office, with the help from over 100 provincial civil servants. Flat boats, large trucks and other necessities were provided to assist the flood-affected local residents. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-09-25

[Commander Tamson]

I suppose every rainy season is different, there is going to be some flooding but why is year after year that things dont get better, why does no one seem to learn anything? You have a plan, how did it work? Anything we could have done better? Have a new plan A with back ups.

Somebody must have been in charge of whats going on, if they cant do the job get someone who can and by the way there are other counties who have to deal with large amounts of water ever thought of seeking advice?

Hastily building a sandbag wall alone the river east of Nakhon Sawan central today, looked bob a job week!

Ah yes, who was it that was in charge of controlling the weather? It must be someone...

Can anyone accept that just like sh*t, rain happens? We (humans) built on flood plains - we get what's coming to us. Shame that it's the poor that suffer, rather than the town non-planners.

And deforestation continues in Thailand, despite being banned and despite HM commenting that it was corrupt officials who were allowing it to continue!

[spacemand]

16 Ubon Ratchathani districts declared disaster zones

UBON RATCHATHANI, Sept 25 – Extensive flooding in this northeastern province prompted the provincial deputy governor to declare 16 districts disaster zones to speed up urgent relief efforts.

Sutthipan Boonmee declared the 16 districts disaster zone as residents of 165 households were forced to flee their homes to higher ground.

Meanwhile, the State Railway of Thailand resumed normal operations serving the province today after a brief suspension due to the flooding of the tracks.

Ubon Ratchathani stationmaster Pradith Karunrat said on Wednesday that flood-stranded train stations resumed normal operation today after rail tracks in Warin Chamrap district and between Huay Tap Tan station to Samrongtab district in Surin province were inundated for three

days.

Only a small number of passengers were carried, with the 136 Speed train, Ubon Ratchathani-Bangkok reported to be the first train to leave the station. Officials have remained on alert against possible flooding near the rail tracks.

Meanwhile, water levels in the Mun River near Seree Prachatippatai Bridge in Ubon Ratchathani’s Muang district rose by 32 centimetres, reaching eight metres today, now at the speed of 3,040 cubic metres per second.

Some 165 families of five communities along Mun River in Warin Chamrap district and Ubon Ratchathani City Municipality have so far fled their homes to temporary shelters being set up at the Warin Chamrap Land Office, with the help from over 100 provincial civil servants. Flat boats, large trucks and other necessities were provided to assist the flood-affected local residents. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-09-25

Ahhh thats why I could hear trains today despite the heavy rain at the room I am staying in because my house flooded 2 days ago, lets see how long this is going to last, based on what I am seeing and seeing from pictures not long.

[Thai at Heart]

No need for concern. Bangkok is safe and the Japanese industrial estates are safe. Thai officials repeatedly express concern for Bangkok and the Japanese.

Not sure if this was ironic, but in 2011, they promised the same to the Japanese, and most industrial estates got under water not to say the outskirts of BKK. Only Thonglor and Central world were safe!

The other paper claims that 304 estate in kabin buri is under already. Opened up another story that was dated yesterday.

First line. No threat of flood in kabin estates......